Jun 2, 2014 2 min read

State Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, said the state House Monday unanimously approved her measure designating June as “Dairy Month” and “Dairy Farmers Appreciation Month” in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers are instrumental to the historical, cultural, environmental and economic success of the commonwealth,” said Snyder of her resolution. “The state’s 7,000 dairy businesses are a linchpin to our economy and provide 1.2 billion gallons of wholesome milk for all of us to enjoy.”

Snyder said Pennsylvania is the fifth largest milk producing state in the nation with its 540,000 dairy cows producing 10.6 billion pounds, or more than 5 percent of the nation’s milk supply annually. The state also ranks among the nation’s leaders in butter and cheese production.

“Dairy farming remains a proud family tradition as nearly all dairy farms in the commonwealth remain family owned,” Snyder said. “Our communities sprang from dairy farming, and our future is forever tied to it and the $2.3 billion it contributes annually to the state economy.”

Snyder said agriculture is one of the state’s foremost industries and dairy farming is one of the anchors of that industry.

“Milk is Pennsylvania’s official state beverage for a good reason – it’s the nourishment of our success as a state and a people,” Snyder said. “To a large degree, dairy is what makes Pennsylvania, and it would be difficult to imagine Pennsylvania without milk and its byproducts.”