WHEREAS, in keeping since 1939, June has been designated as the time to celebrate the bounty of dairy products and pay tribute to U.S. dairy farmers and their contribution to and important role in agriculture; and

WHEREAS, two hundred and twenty-seven Maine dairy farms care for herds of cows, goats, and sheep and steward 700 thousand acres of desirable and critical farmland, which also provide numerous public benefits in addition to agricultural products, such as scenic and open spaces that enhance their communities; and

WHEREAS, Maine is home to award-winning cheeses, yogurt, ice cream, and butter made exclusively with Maine milk and cream and processors who bottle and sell milk at retail locations across the state year-round; and

WHEREAS, dairies are small businesses that provide indirect and direct support to their employees and families, and important farm and food system businesses such as farm and feed supply stores, trucking and transportation companies, veterinarians, and more; and

WHEREAS, dairy farms are a source of delicious and nutritious foods and beverages for food outlets, such as Maine restaurants, schools, grocery stores, cafes, and coffee and ice cream shops; and

WHEREAS, Maine is part of a multi-state effort supporting the viability of dairying via the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, which supports market innovation, farmer training, and product development using local milk;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the great State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2023 as

Dairy Month

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to support and appreciate Maine’s dairy farmers and dairy products.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twenty fourth day of May Two Thousand Twenty-Three