HARRISBURG, Pa. — To celebrate June Dairy Month and support dairy education programs, the Dairy Excellence Foundation is hosting its annual farm-to-fork celebration, “A Toast to Dairy,” on Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 6-9 p.m. at Melhorn Manor in Mount Joy, Pa. The event includes meal stations sourced with Pennsylvania Preferred ingredients, a selection of artisan cheeses and chocolate, locally crafted wines and brews, networking opportunities, and more. Individuals who purchase tickets by May 1 will receive an early-bird discount with $10 off each ticket. Discounted rates are also available for groups or organizations that purchase bundles of eight tickets.
“Last year, more than 200 people joined us at A Toast to Dairy to celebrate Pennsylvania dairy while learning about programs that support the next generation of students who are pursuing careers in dairy,” said Jayne Sebright, Executive Director at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “It’s always a great evening getting the dairy industry together with great food, entertainment, and networking to help support the next generation. We hope you’ll join us this year.”
This year’s event will feature:
- Farm-to-fork food stations – Thanks to Mountain Laurel Catering and event donors, attendees will enjoy a variety of food stations and dinner options sourced with local, PA Preferred ingredients.
- Wine and brew tasting experience – Attendees will receive a guided tasting passport to sample wine and beer from local wineries and breweries, including Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery, The Winery at Hunter’s Valley, Troegs Independent Brewing, Lindgren Craft Brewery, and Appalachian Brewing Company.
- Chocolate and cheese pairings – The Pennsylvania Cheese Guild will offer artisan, locally crafted cheeses paired with Hershey’s Chocolate.
- Raffle baskets – A favorite each year, attendees can purchase raffle tickets and enter to win baskets donated by event sponsors.
- Live music – Pyxus Music, a talented duo, will be performing live music throughout the event.
- Caricature artist – Attendees can take home a personalized drawing from a live caricature artist during the event.
- Other fun surprises
All proceeds from the event will support the scholarships, curriculum, educational programs, and on-farm internships provided through the Dairy Excellence Foundation.
“The [on-farm internship program] was a great opportunity. You get that specific on-farm experience, but it was also important with networking. Your host farm knows other people, and you can also connect with the other interns and see what they’re doing,” said Maddie Jaslar, a previous on-farm intern. “I definitely want to stay in the dairy industry, and this internship helped me narrow my focus.”
Visit centerfordairyexcellence.org/toasttodairy to purchase tickets and learn more about the event. Discounted rates are available for groups or organizations that purchase bundles of eight tickets.
Premier sponsors of the Toast to Dairy event include the PA Preferred® Program and Savencia Cheese. Other sponsors include Dairy Farmers of America, Fulton Bank, G5 Company, Northeast Ag Solutions Force, and The SpringHouse.
To sponsor the event, email Katie Waite at kwaite@centerfordairyexcellence.org or call 717-346-0849.
Learn more at centerfordairyexcellence.org/toasttodairy or call the Foundation at 717-346-0849 with questions about the event.
–Emily Barge, Center for Dairy Excellence