June is Dairy Month in Wisconsin, and it's also National Dairy Month.  How are the funds contributed from Wisconsin dairy families disbursed to get the most out of that event?  Tina Peterson with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin talks to Pam Jahnke about the payback.

What are the Champions of Dairy? 

DFW works with local dairy promotion programs to build consumer trust in Wisconsin dairy products, dairy farmers and dairy farming methods by extending DFW programs and implementing national checkoff programs on the local level.  These dairy promotion volunteers are the original “Champions of Dairy” and include County Dairy Promotion Groups (CDPGs), Wisconsin FFA Chapters, Wisconsin 4-H, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Ag in the Classroom   

What are some things these groups do that listeners might recognize? 

• These volunteers bring a face and a story to consumers to build trust and help solidify dairy’s place in local communities.
• June Dairy Breakfasts
• Dairy product sampling
• Promotion through local media and social media

Why is it so important to work with these local groups?   

• Grassroots promotion programs bring pieces of national and in-state dairy promotion and education programs to the local level.
• Dairy promotion volunteers are the “boots on the ground” in local communities to promote, educate and build trust in dairy and dairy farmers.  
• They are passionate about supporting Wisconsin dairy farmers to promote dairy’s story of nutrition, community impact and environmental stewardship. 

What does DFW provide in terms of support?   

We are improving promotions to strengthen the focus on farmer trust, an area that is becoming more important as consumers seek out products/brands that have similar values to theirs

• Support for Grassroots: 

• Provide financial support for local dairy promotion and education.    
• Provide networking and training through Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin events and social media.   
• Provide dairy promotion and education materials, messaging and resource tools.   

Looking forward to June, what are some groups planning?

• Share a few examples and highlight Dairy Breakfasts and community events
• Visit wisconsindairy.org/dairymonth to find a local activation near you