Declare June Dairy Month

Senate Resolution No. 4068 BY: Senator RITCHIE MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2018, as Dairy Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2018, as Dairy Month in the State of New York; in addition, Dairy Day will be recognized on Wednesday, June 6, 2018; and WHEREAS, National Dairy Month began as National Milk Month in 1937, as a way to promote drinking milk and to help stabilize dairy demand when production was at a surplus; and WHEREAS, National Dairy Month has developed into an annual tradition celebrating the worldwide contributions of the dairy industry; and WHEREAS, National Dairy Month celebrates the safe, healthy, high quality, and most importantly, delicious dairy products we have in abundance in the United States, thanks to the hard work and commitment of our dairy farmers; and WHEREAS, In New York State, agriculture continues to rank as the number one industry, and with dairy farms extending across the State, New York ranks third among states in total milk production; and WHEREAS, New York has over 5,600 dairy farms with more than 600,000 dairy cows which produce over 12 billion pounds of milk annually; New York leads the nation in the production of cottage cheese, yogurt and sour cream; and WHEREAS, Nearly half of the value added to New York's economy by agricultural products comes from the direct sale of dairy products by New York farmers; and WHEREAS, The dairy industry is an integral segment of New York State's economy and a major employer of labor from all phases of production, through marketing of milk and dairy products; and WHEREAS, New York's dairy farmers have historically been the stewards of the land, contributing to the State's diverse agricultural landscapes through responsible conservation practices and investments in technology; and WHEREAS, New York's milk and dairy products have been known to promote a healthy weight, reduce the risk for high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers, as well as help build and repair muscle tissue, maintain healthy skin and provide natural nutrients; and WHEREAS, Ninety-eight percent of our nation's dairy farms are family owned and operated, and every day, dairy farmers invest their time, energy and passion into producing wholesome and nutritious milk and other dairy products; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2018, as Dairy Month in the State of New York, and to acknowledge the contributions of the dairy industry and New York's dairy farmers; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.