July 2011 Highlights « Back

Fuel Up to Play 60 in South Dakota

Dawn Conrad, your Health and Wellness staff member in South Dakota, has met with the state’s School Nurses Association to request support for the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. The topic is on the group’s agenda for September.  Midwest Dairy sponsored a lunch focusing on Fuel Up to Play 60 at the group’s annual conference, and provided information in their registration bags.

The same request is being made of the School Nutrition Association of South Dakota at its conference in Rapid City.  Midwest Dairy sponsored a break at that group’s event, along with an exhibit that addressed both Fuel Up to Play 60 and chocolate milk. 

The South Dakota Dietetic Association annual conference comes up next month, giving Dawn a chance to visit with that group and present ways to activate Fuel Up to Play 60 in schools and communities. 

South Dakota secretary of agriculture Walt Bones recently signed a pledge to support Fuel Up To Play 60. Secretary Bones also pledged to assist in getting the Governor and several of his other agencies that work with nutrition and health to sign the pledge as well. It’s great to have a secretary committed to helping end childhood obesity within the next generation.

Other South Dakota Updates

Our South Dakota Division’s summer 4-H and FFA district grant program has been a success, with more than 50 grants going out all over the state. The grants promote dairy products while incorporating an educational component about health and wellness or dairy farm image.

The South Dakota malt wagon has had a busy schedule this year, with visits to the following locations already made or coming up: Sioux Empire Fair, Turner County Fair, Dakota Fest, Yankton River Boat Days, Brown County Fair and the South Dakota State Fair. New “Dairy Makes Sense” signage was included at the Sioux Empire Fair. As more urban consumers attend this fair, the Dairy Makes Sense theme is helpful to educate fair-goers about how dairy products provide great nutrition economically. Natalie Thyen, South Dakota Dairy Princess has been busy attending most of these events promoting dairy.

September will be the start of our partnerships with South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota athletic programs featuring the Junior Jacks and Yippin Yotes. We will be working with both clubs to promote the dairy message and Fuel Up to Play 60. 

South Dakota will be hosting the September Midwest Dairy Corporate Board meeting at the new South Dakota State University Dairy Plant Research facility. This will be the first time many of them have seen where checkoff funds have gone for research and what the University has to offer the dairy industry.

The South Dakota State Fair runs September 1 to 5 – I look forward to seeing many of you there, stop in at the Dairy Bar for a shake.