Here is a summary of some of the dairy promotion activities and events across the state in the past month. If you need information about events or materials, please contact Sarah-Baker Walker. [email protected]
Annual Azalea Trail Run Competitors Look for the Milk
On March 25 SUDIA was a sponsor for the Azalea Trail Run in Mobile. SUDIA staff members Mary Martin Nordness and Jana Miller, along with dairy farmers Kerra and April Middleton from Middleton Farms Dairy, handed out chocolate milk to the runners as they crossed the finish line. The runners look forward to getting the milk because they know about the benefits of chocolate milk for refueling after a race.

Photo: Alabama dairy farmers Kerra Middleton (left) and April Middleton (right) pose with one of the Azalea Trail Maids at the Azalea Trail Run in Mobile.
Students at Brilliant Elementary Learn About Dairy Farming
On March 6, Lamar County dairy farmer Will Gilmer and staffer Jana Miller promoted dairy at Brilliant Elementary School in Winston County. Gilmer spoke to 250 students about his regular day on the farm and answered questions about dairy farming and Miller discussed the health benefits of dairy.

Photo: Lamar County dairy farmer Will Gilmer answers questions about dairy farming at Brilliant Elementary School.
New Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador Selected for Alabama
In March, the Alabama Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60) student ambassador was chosen from Dixon Elementary School in Mobile. Amare Johnson will be attending the FUTP 60 Summit with his program advisor Faye Hussong later this year where he will have the opportunity to develop his leadership skills and learn how to be an advocate across the state for physical activity and a healthy diet that includes dairy.     
Checkoff Partnership Helps Increase Demand for Butter
As our checkoff partnership with McDonald's continues to create increased demand for dairy products, that increase is spreading to restaurants across the category.  For example, now that McDonald's has made the switch to butter, other restaurants are following suit. As the checkoff's work with partners continues, the increased use of butter and other dairy products on menus is likely to expand further. Click here to read more about the popularity of butter.  
Click here to see the commercial featuring butter in Burger King's new sandwich. 
Alabama Dairy Farmer Featured in Progressive Dairyman
Last month we covered Lamar County dairy farmer Will Gilmer's attendance at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas and now his account of the event was featured in a recent issue of Progressive Dairyman.  Click here to read his perspective of the festival and why it was important for dairy farmers to be  represented.

Photo: Lamar County dairy farmer Will Gilmer (left) and Michigan dairy farmer Corby Werth were two of eight dairy farmers to attend South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival on behalf of the dairy industry.