Senate Resolution No. 2564

BY: Senator HINCHEY

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
June 2024, as Dairy Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2024, as Dairy Month in the State
of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Dairy Month;
and

WHEREAS, National Dairy Month began as National Milk Month in 1937,
as a way to promote drinking milk and to help stabilize dairy demand
when production was at a surplus; and

WHEREAS, National Dairy Month has developed into an annual tradition
celebrating the worldwide contributions of the dairy industry; and

WHEREAS, National Dairy Month celebrates the safe, healthy, high
quality, and most importantly, delicious dairy products we have in
abundance in the United States, thanks to the hard work and commitment
of our dairy farmers; and

WHEREAS, In New York State, agriculture continues to rank as one of
the top industries, and with dairy farms extending across the State, New
York ranks fifth among states in total milk production; and

WHEREAS, New York has fewer than 2,800 dairy farms with
approximately 631,000 dairy cows which produce more than 15 billion
pounds of milk annually; New York leads the nation in the production of
cottage cheese, yogurt and sour cream; and

WHEREAS, According to the New York State Department of Agriculture
and Markets, the state saw the loss of almost 2,000 dairy farms between
2017 and 2022, a statewide cause for concern as dairy is an integral
part of New York State's agricultural sector and economy; and

WHEREAS, Nearly half of the sales of New York State agricultural
products comes from the direct sale of dairy products by New York
farmers; and

WHEREAS, The dairy industry is an integral segment of New York
State's economy and a major employer of labor from all phases of
production, through marketing of milk and dairy products; and

WHEREAS, New York's dairy farmers have historically been the
stewards of the land, contributing to the State's diverse agricultural
landscapes through responsible conservation practices and investments in
technology; and

WHEREAS, New York's milk and dairy products are packed with
important nutrients like calcium, phosphorous, B vitamins, potassium and
Vitamin D, and is an excellent source of protein; consuming dairy milk
and other dairy products may even reduce the risk for high blood
pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers, as well as help build and

repair muscle tissue, maintain healthy skin and provide natural
nutrients; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2024, as Dairy Month
in the State of New York, and to acknowledge the contributions of the
dairy industry and New York's dairy farmers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.