More than 100 dairy producers and industry supporters recently attended the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association's Dairy Day at the Capitol in Salem, Oregon. It was the first time the association has ever sponsored the event. Kathryn Walker, program director for the state association, says it brought legislators two of the three things they like –constituents and food.

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"Our main goal was for legislators to realize that we have a dairy industry in Oregon and that we are active," Walker says.

FFA students and Oregon State University Dairy Club members helped serve 200 chugs of milk and 400 containers of yogurt to office staff at the capitol from chilled wagon carts during a morning milk break.

The association also hosted a luncheon for legislators and staffers, serving 900 grilled cheese sandwiches, 20 pounds of cheese through cheese trays and 500 cartons of milk. The end of the day concluded with an ice cream social with 400 bowls of free ice cream.

Walker says producer support for the event was "incredible," and is appreciate of the help of the Oregon Dairy Women in serving the dairy treats.

"We had producers from all corners of the state come –Ontario, Kalmath Falls, Central Point. All of those producers had hundreds of miles to drive to get to the Capitol, but they came."

Producers also lobbied against proposed legislation that would ease state regulations for the sale of raw milk.

Walker says that active participation from producers will make it likely the association will sponsor the event in the future.

"It's awesome to go to the Capitol and hear people still talking about the event," Walker says. PD

Photos provided by provided by Kathryn Walker, Oregon Dairy Farmers Association.

• Walt Cooley

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