PORTALES, N.M.—When a group of dairy farmers learned budget restrictions at area children’s homes meant serving morning cereal without milk, they knew they had to do something.
The farmers, all moms, were at a fundraiser in 2006 when they began talking to a group of house parents when the subject of food insecurity came up. The idea of children’s nutritional needs not being met was heartbreaking. But when milk was mentioned, it suddenly hit a little too close to home.
Inspired to make a difference, they formed United Dairy Women. The non-profit organization would not only provide agricultural and nutritional education to the region but raise funds through its “Milk Mission” for area children’s homes.
Over the last twelve years, that’s what they’ve done. They’ve raised funds, given their time, and chipped away at Eastern New Mexico’s food insecurity problem. Through fundraisers like their new event called Dairy Nights and Can-Am Lights, Milk Lovers’ Ball, The Great Pumpkin Race and Ute the Man Triathlon, the group has raised enough money to provide the recommended three servings of dairy per child per day to children’s homes in Portales. Soon, they hope to add a home in Clovis to their list of beneficiaries.
Jaimie Van Dam, United Dairy Women member and dairy farmer in Texico, is passionate about the mission — not only because of its effect, but also because it ties in to a product she is so proud to produce.
“I’m a big believer that regardless of what you do for a living or where you’re at in your life, you should give something back. If everyone gave just a little, think about what an impact that would make,” Van Dam said. “But as dairy farmers specifically, it means so much to us to be able to take a product we work so hard to produce — one that is both wholesome and nutritious — and give it to kids who wouldn’t be able to enjoy it otherwise.”
She said she and her fellow United Dairy Women members also enjoy using the project to set an example for the next generation.
“A lot of us are young moms, and often we’re taking our kids along with us when we’re doing work for the organization,” she said. “I hope as my kids get older, they’re paying attention and see this as something everybody should do. I really want to sow that seed in their hearts, to give back to people who need it.”
Michael Speegle, a houseparent at New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home, says it’s hard to express how much the home appreciates United Dairy Women’s efforts.
“Milk Mission was a game-changer for us,” he said. “Being a nonprofit home, our funds are limited. But now those funds can go a whole lot further in other areas because our dairy needs are taken care of. It’s great to have this blessing. I can only describe it in one word — generous.”
Speegle says not only does the donation help from a financial standpoint, but he’s seen the nutritional effects firsthand, too.
“A lot of times we get children who are malnourished and haven’t had a lot of dairy products in their life,” he said. “I’ve seen kids come here and come from malnourished to healthy young boys and girls just because of the increased dairy intake. That protein and calcium helps them so much.”
The cereal tastes better, too.
About Dairy MAX
Founded more than 40 years ago, Dairy MAX is one of the leading regional dairy councils in America – representing more than 900 dairy farmers and serving communities in eight states: Colorado, southwest Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. A nonprofit organization, Dairy MAX is part of a nationwide effort to promote American agriculture, support dairy farming and drive impact for every dairy farmer. The organization operates five audience outreach programs: business development, consumer marketing, health and wellness, industry image and relations and school marketing. For more information about Dairy MAX and its team of experts, visit DairyMAX.org. Dairy resources and delicious recipes are available at DairyDiscoveryZone.com.
About United Dairy Women
United Dairy Women was founded in 2006 to provide agricultural and nutritional education in Eastern New Mexico and beyond. To date, its members have raised more than $1 million for children’s homes in the Clovis/Portales area. The nonprofit organization is classified as a 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information about United Dairy Women and to donate to the Milk Mission, visit their website at www.UnitedDairyWomen.com.
