The fall season has brought a little slower pace in my life as District 6 Dairy Princess.

The fall season has brought a little slower pace in my life as District 6 Dairy Princess.  I have to admit, I have still been pretty busy, but since the show season has come to a stop there has been a lot less running from barn to barn with my crown on.  Awhile back, I attended the Wine and Cheese Festival in Riverbank where I was able to visit with the visitors of the festival as they came by the CA Milk Advisory Board booth.  At this event I was able to hand out tons of literature on the dairy industry, talk with children and adults about the importance of milk and dairy products in their diet, and help pass out cheese for sampling.  After that, my next task was to prepare for my first school visit as Dairy Princess; I have done numerous farm days during my days in FFA, but I was excited to attend my first one representing the dairy industry.

My display and presentation consists of fun and important facts about the dairy industry, teaching about the Real California Milk Seal using actual products, showing students pictures of dairy life, letting students see and feel dairy feeds, and showing students all the cows who are auditioning and waiting for consumer votes on the CMAB website.  My first school visit went better than expected and the students seemed to comprehend my presentation...and just a few days back I received all my thank you letters from those students - that was very rewarding!  Most recently I attended the CMAB annual meeting.  At this event I was able to chat with local dairyman as I welcomed and checked them into the dinner.  I lead the entire room in the Pledge of Allegiance, and then opened the meeting with a welcome speech.  After dinner they got down to business giving the dairyman positive information about where the dairy industry is headed and reiterated exactly what the CA Milk Advisory Board does for our dairymen.  As ‘09 comes to an end I will participate in holiday parades and prepare for my many school visits which I will attend in the spring.  As always, I have had a ton of fun and drank a lot of milk...remember, look for the REAL California Milk Seal!!!

XOXO,

District 6 Dairy Princess

Erica Mello