Senate Resolution No. 2221

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of the Oneida
County Dairy Promotion

WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon
which our distinct American heritage is built; New York State and the
entire Nation are dependent on our agricultural industry for a variety
of food products; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
60th Anniversary of the Oneida County Dairy Promotion, to be celebrated
at the organization's annual Dairy Promotion Banquet on May 11, 2024 at
Delta Lake Inn in Rome, New York; and

WHEREAS, Oneida County crowned its first Dairy Princess in 1964;
since its inception, the program has continued to evolve with the help
of many dedicated volunteers and has now allowed the participation of
boys and girls, with the title now being Dairy Ambassador since 2022;
and

WHEREAS, Designed to help bring awareness to the dairy industry to
promote sales and consumption, the Oneida County Dairy Promotion's
mission is to foster better relations between urban and rural people
through one-on-one contact at the local level; and

WHEREAS, The Dairy Ambassador and team were chosen to represent the
county's dairy industry and dairy farmers in local promotion and
advocacy to consumers; they give school presentations, participate in
special events like supermarket promotions, ag-business open houses,
parades and the county fair, give speeches to agricultural and
non-agricultural groups, record PSA's, do media interviews, and may
write articles for farm press, consumers press, and website/Facebook
messages; and

WHEREAS, Given crowns and sashes to signify the distinction, the
Dairy Ambassador's main talking points are around milk's nutritional
value, on-farm practices/animal care and well-being, and environmental
stewardship; and

WHEREAS, In 1977, Oneida County started giving several awards for
outstanding service to the dairy industry: the Silver Cow Award, the
Dairy Farmer of the Year Award, the Agribusiness of the Year Award, in
1993, a Media Award and in 1995, a Special Service Award was created,
lastly, in 1999, a Pioneer Award was created and presented to Ida Reed;
Ida Reed was a trailblazer in the Oneida County Dairy Promotion; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Oneida County Dairy Promotion is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its staff, and many volunteers
whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the market and the
community it serves; and

WHEREAS, The dairy industry and promotion helps to develop local and
regional food systems that support family farms, revitalize communities,
provide opportunities for farmers and consumers to interact, promote
environmental sustainability, and support our economy in New York State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Oneida County Dairy Promotion;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Oneida County Dairy Promotion.