February 2012 Highlights « Back
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Fuel Up to Play 60 in Minnesota
Plans are moving forward for a Minnesota Vikings/Midwest Dairy Fuel Up to Play 60 Training Day for 200 student leaders and 60 adult program advisors. The date is Monday, April 23, at Mall of America Field at the Metrodome. Thirty eligible schools will be selected based upon their level of engagement in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Industry partners and dairy producers will be invited to witness Fuel Up to Play 60 in action. The day’s purpose is to celebrate successes, exchange ideas and energize program leadership. The day’s event will include on-field activities featuring HOPSports on the Jumbotron, discussion about the benefits of healthy eating and daily activity, brainstorm sessions for students and program advisors, and a healthy lunch featuring new food items. Viktor and Vikings players will lead student activities and be available for autographs and photos.
Fourteen student leaders from Minnesota and the Dakotas were treated to a Vikings game in December, giving them a chance to run through the Vikings ship pre-game, and be honored on the field. The top schools activating the Fuel Up to Play 60 program this fall were included, picked on the basis of leadership, participation and enthusiasm. Midwest Dairy CEO Mike Kruger, Minnesota Division Board chairman Ken Herbranson and Princess Kay Mary Zahurones joined the students in a photo opportunity that was featured on the Jumbotron with a voice-over announcement during the first quarter. The students were able to watch the pre-game practice and mingle with the Vikings staff. Video clips of the appearance and student ambassador testimonials were captured in a professional video about Fuel Up to Play 60 in Minnesota, for use in media outreach and sponsor recruitment.
In December, Midwest Dairy awarded 10 Minnesota schools with a total of $35,430 to fund their Fuel Up to Play 60 activities. Since 2010 we’ve been able to fund $142,585 amongst 75 Minnesota schools. Schools may receive up to $4,000 per school year in funding. The next application deadline is February 1. For more information visit midwestdairy.com.
Midwest Dairy has entered a partnership with WCCO radio, television and electronic communications entities in the Twin Cities, allowing us another platform to raise awareness of Fuel Up to Play 60. WCCO has created a community-based health and wellness initiative called “Creating a Healthier Generation” which is highly compatible with Fuel Up to Play 60. The partnership’s goals include using assets such as WCCO talent visits or on-air student appearances as rewards. It will also assist Midwest Dairy in its fundraising for GenYOUth, the foundation supporting Fuel Up to Play 60. Finally, it will increase awareness of Fuel Up to Play 60 in the community. Currently, radio and TV spots featuring WCCO radio personality and Sunday Night Football reporter Michele Tafoya are on the air, promoting Fuel Up to Play 60.
Other Minnesota Updates
While the weather may not reflect it, the meeting season for the farming community is in full swing. District meetings thus far have been well-attended, and we have had good discussions on a variety of dairy checkoff topics. We certainly hope you plan to attend your local meeting if you have not already done so. The full schedule can be found at midwestdairycheckoff.com in case you’ve misplaced your invitation.
Recently the Minnesota Board of Animal Health has asked us to share information about county Foreign Animal Disease workshops that have been taking place across the state. These workshops are designed to learn more about how Minnesota and the local county would respond to a devastating livestock disease, such as Foot and Mouth Disease. They are especially interested in having producers attend. The workshops are free and include lunch. The sessions continue to be scheduled county by county, and some county sessions have already been completed. Updates can be found at the Board’s website.