Latest news with #DairyMonth
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State lawmakers, agriculture leaders celebrate National Dairy Month in Harrisburg
(WHTM) — State agriculture and dairy industry leaders met in Harrisburg today to celebrate National Dairy Month. Pennsylvania is home to over 5,000 dairy farms, and the state's dairy industry supports 47,000 jobs and generates over $11 billion in annual state economic revenue. 'Every dairy farmer in each of our 67 counties contributes to our state's leading industry's production and economic success,' said Sen. Elder Vogel Jr. (R-47). 'Our dairy farmers, and all farmers for that matter, are depended upon 24/7, 365 days a year, and serve as the cornerstone of our nation. Their knowledge and expertise allow Pennsylvania families to enjoy the common dairy staples like ice cream, cheese, and yogurt in the comfort of their homes. We thank these farmers not just today but every day for keeping Pennsylvania as well as our nation fed.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Lisa Graybeal and Center for Dairy Excellence Executive Director Jayne Sebright joined Sen. Vogel Jr. to detail the industry's positive impacts on Pennsylvania communities, businesses, and residents. 'Pennsylvania dairy farmers are intensely proud of what they do and how well they do it,' Graybeal said. 'During Dairy Month and year-round, the Shapiro Administration is proud to support Pennsylvania dairy farmers in their ongoing pursuit of excellence in breeding, herd management, cow care, and conservation. The Administration is committed to partnering with the General Assembly to invest in a future of ever-increasing innovation and excellence for the industry that feeds our nation and our world quality, nutritious, and delicious products every day, all year, every year.' Lancaster, Franklin, Lebanon, Berks and Blair counties are the top five dairy producing counties in Pennsylvania. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
100 dairy farms in New York get over $21 million from state
Jun. 2—LOWVILLE — New York state is pushing more than $21 million in grant money out to over 100 dairy farms statewide, part of a long-term push to enhance and expand the state's upstate milk and milk product industry. On Monday at Glory Days dairy farm in Lowville, state Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced the funding through the state Dairy Modernization Grant program as the state kicked off June Dairy Month. "New York's dairy industry is the backbone of our agricultural economy, supporting thousands of jobs across our rural communities," said Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul. The Governor had successfully pushed for this program in budget negotiations last year. "With this $26 million investment through the Dairy Modernization Grant Program, we're giving hardworking dairy farmers and cooperatives the tools they need to grow, innovate and lead in a changing market. This is how we honor our agricultural legacy — by making sure it has a strong and sustainable future," Hochul said. Across the north country, 15 farms will get a combined $3.3 million in state grant money — in Central New York will get more than $3.9 million, and in the Finger Lakes, 20 farms are getting more than $4.3 million. The money can be used for projects on dairy farms to expand or improve storage, improve transportation and strengthen operations — it helps farmers buy newer, more efficient equipment and is run with an eye towards increasing environmental protection, efficiency and farm operation health. The program requires that each grant-funded project demonstrate a path towards expanding storage, increasing energy efficiency, improving food safety, saving work hours, decreasing raw milk dumping or making the farm more resilient economically. Each project must achieve at least two of those listed goals. "The Dairy Modernization Grant Program gives farms like ours the opportunity to progress and innovate and continue being the lifeblood of our communities," said Amy Beyer, owner of Glory Days Farm. "This program encourages the adoption of efficient technology that improves food safety with more consideration to environmental impacts, securing the future of dairy in New York." This new grant program is authorized for another $10 million round in 2026 — and Hochul indicated that further funding will be headed to the dairy industry for research and climate-resiliency work in the future. "Our dairy farmers and processors are second to none when it comes to the care they give to the land and their animals and the quality of their milk products," said Ball, the state Agriculture Commissioner. "I am so pleased to see this funding being awarded to these deserving farms, who will now have the additional resources they need to ensure that they can continue to provide the very best milk and dairy products, and keep operations and the supply chain going, even in the event of severe weather or emergency events." This grant funding comes as the New York dairy industry sees major investments in plants and farms across the state. In April, Gov. Hochul and regional lawmakers attended the groundbreaking of a new, $1.2 billion Chobani company plant in Oneida County, which will become the largest single-site natural food processing center in the country and increase fluid milk demand by multiple billions of pounds per year. New York has already pumped $23 million into that project alone, with another $73 million in tax credits for job creation set aside once the facility starts hiring. A handful of other major projects, including a Fairlife milk processing plant in western New York, a $30 million expansion of the Agri-Mark cheese facility in Chateaugay, Franklin County, a $150 million Cayuga Marketing milk plant in Auburn, a $621 million cheese plant in Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, are expected to increase demand for milk in New York by more than 35% by 2030. New York already has nearly 300 processing facilities for milk and milk products, served with more than 16 billion pounds of milk per year from over 3,000 dairy farms, over 95% of which are family-owned and operated.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Tony Evers celebrates June Dairy Month with visits to local businesses
CHILTON, Wis. (WFRV) – As June Dairy Month begins, Governor Tony Evers honored the heart of Wisconsin's agricultural legacy with visits to Turtle Lake and Chilton on Monday. This celebration underscores the resilience and vitality of the state's dairy industry, which not only forms the backbone of the local economy but also enriches Wisconsin's cultural heritage. Appleton's Lamers Dairy brings back 'Cones for a Cause' to raise money during June Dairy Month With a remarkable $50 billion industry that employs over 120,000 individuals, Wisconsin proudly holds the title of 'America's Dairyland,' boasting more dairy farms than any other state in the nation. Gov. Evers has long been an advocate for Wisconsin's farmers, focusing on initiatives that support agricultural families and bolster rural communities. His administration has invested heavily in programs aimed at enhancing the state's agricultural exports, with goals to increase dairy, meat, crop, and other product exports by 25 percent. A highlight of the governor's visit was the Scoops Ice Cream House in Chilton, which received a Dairy Processor Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) in 2023. This funding enabled Scoops to modernize its facilities and expand its operations. 'It's a good example of how small businesses thrive with the right assistance,' Gov. Evers remarked, emphasizing the importance of such establishments. The governor's commitment extends beyond individual businesses; he has also pioneered initiatives like the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports and established the Wisconsin Office of Rural Prosperity. These efforts aim to streamline resources for rural communities and enhance the efficiency of the agricultural supply chain, particularly in meat and dairy processing. De Pere selects new Fire Chief to replace retiring Matzke, set to start June 9 As June Dairy Month progresses, Gov. Evers encourages all Wisconsinites to appreciate the critical role dairy plays in the state's economy and culture. 'Milk brings its cheese, brings its ice cream, and other products, and we highlight this during this time,' he stated, emphasizing that dairy is a symbol of Wisconsin's identity. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
De Pere selects new Fire Chief to replace retiring Matzke, set to start June 9
DE PERE, Wis. (WFRV) – With the April retirement of Chief Al Matzke, who stepped down from his role after 40 years of service, the De Pere Police and Fire Commission has officially announced the next Fire Chief. Battalion Chief Brett Jansen will become the new chief effective on June 9, officials announced on Monday evening. Appleton's Lamers Dairy brings back 'Cones for a Cause' to raise money during June Dairy Month Jansen, a long-time member with De Pere Fire Rescue, will step into the role after Assistant Fire Chief Jack Mlnrik finishes his time as the interim chief. Chief Jansen has served De Pere for nearly 20 years, starting as a firefighter/paramedic in 2006, until he became a Lieutenant in 2019. His current title of Battalion Chief was earned in 2022. The 2021 Wisconsin State Firefighter of the Year, Jansen, is also the Emergency Medical Services Director, with years of experience. Fire Department Lieutenant in Wisconsin uses chainsaw to create artful park bench Mayor James Boyd released the following statement regarding the selection: 'Battalion Chief Jansen is an exceptional leader, and we're excited to see him step into the role of Fire Chief for our community. The City of De Pere has long taken pride in the strength of its public safety services and overall quality of life. We're confident that Chief Jansen will not only uphold these high standards but also lead the department forward with professionalism, innovation, and a forward-thinking approach to fire and emergency response.' De Pere Mayor James Boyd City Manager Kim Flom added the following statement: 'We are excited to have Brett on board as the next Fire Chief. His commitment to the community and to the continued strength of the organization were evident through the recruitment process.' City Manager Kim Flom No additional details were provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NYS dairy farms get over $21 million for modernization, resiliency projects
Jun. 2—LOWVILLE — New York state is pushing over $21 million in grant money out to over 100 dairy farms statewide, part of a long-term push to enhance and expand the state's upstate milk and milk product industry. On Monday at Glory Days dairy farm in Lowville, state Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced the funding through the state Dairy Modernization Grant program as the state kicked off June Dairy Month. "New York's dairy industry is the backbone of our agricultural economy, supporting thousands of jobs across our rural communities," said Governor Kathleen C. Hochul. The Governor had successfully pushed for this program in budget negotiations last year. "With this $26 million investment through the Dairy Modernization Grant Program, we're giving hardworking dairy farmers and cooperatives the tools they need to grow, innovate and lead in a changing market. This is how we honor our agricultural legacy — by making sure it has a strong and sustainable future," Hochul said. Across the north country, 15 farms will get a combined $3.3 million in state grant money — in central New York will get more than $3.9 million, and in the Finger Lakes, 20 farms are getting more than $4.3 million. The money can be used for projects on dairy farms to expand or improve storage, improve transportation and strengthen operations — it helps farmers buy newer, more efficient equipment and is run with an eye towards increasing environmental protection, efficiency and farm operation health. The program requires that each grant-funded project demonstrate a path towards expanding storage, increasing energy efficiency, improving food safety, saving work hours, decreasing raw milk dumping or making the farm more resilient economically. Each project must achieve at least two of those listed goals. "The Dairy Modernization Grant Program gives farms like ours the opportunity to progress and innovate and continue being the lifeblood of our communities," said Amy Beyer, owner of Glory Days Farm. "This program encourages the adoption of efficient technology that improves food safety with more consideration to environmental impacts, securing the future of dairy in New York." This new grant program is authorized for another $10 million round in 2026 — and Hochul indicated that further funding will be headed to the dairy industry for research and climate-resiliency work in the future. "Our dairy farmers and processors are second to none when it comes to the care they give to the land and their animals and the quality of their milk products," said Ball, the state Agriculture Commissioner. "I am so pleased to see this funding being awarded to these deserving farms, who will now have the additional resources they need to ensure that they can continue to provide the very best milk and dairy products, and keep operations and the supply chain going, even in the event of severe weather or emergency events." This grant funding comes as the New York dairy industry sees major investments in plants and farms across the state. In April, Gov. Hochul and regional lawmakers attended the groundbreaking of a new, $1.2 billion Chobani company plant in Oneida County, which will become the largest single-site natural food processing center in the country and increase fluid milk demand by multiple billions of pounds per year. New York has already pumped $23 million into that project alone, with another $73 million in tax credits for job creation set aside once the facility starts hiring. A handful of other major projects, including a Fairlife milk processing plant in western New York, a $30 million expansion of the Agri-Mark cheese facility in Chateaugay, Franklin County, a $150 million Cayuga Marketing milk plant in Auburn, a $621 million cheese plant in Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, are expected to increase demand for milk in New York by more than 35% by 2030. New York already has nearly 300 processing facilities for milk and milk products, served with more than 16 billion pounds of milk per year from over 3,000 dairy farms, over 95% of which are family-owned and operated.
