Dairy Promotion Calendar
Below, we share various observance days/months associated with dairy that you can celebrate throughout the year. We understand that dairy farmers are busy, and hosting an event is not always a possibility. For this reason, each theme not only includes an event idea, but also a suggestion for a social media post that you can share on your farm’s or your own personal social media accounts.
Consumers today like to see that the dairy foods they purchase in a store come from a farm family like yours. We encourage you to use social media to help tell your farm’s story.
See the chart directly below for a list of national observance months throughout the year that you can celebrate on social media and in your community. If you need a little more inspiration, scroll down to view themed social media posts and promotion ideas based on observance days throughout each month!
Click on a month below to view a few ideas for themed social posts and events throughout that month. Simply copy and paste the suggested social media text, or feel free to get creative and think of your own!
We’d love to see what you’re up to! Be sure to tag @MilkMeansMore and use #MilkMeansMore when posting on social media.
If you need help brainstorming or have any questions, please call the UDIM office at 517-349-8923.
New Year’s Resolutions – Eating Healthy & Fitness Goals
JANUARY: NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS – EATING HEALTHY & FITNESS GOALS
Social Media Copy: Want to stick to your New Resolutions this year? Here are some tips from Milk Means More health and wellness experts to help you stick to your goals this new year: milkmeansmore.org/want-to-get-healthy-in-2019-the-milk-means-more-experts-can-help/
Promotion Idea: Use a dairy promotion grant to purchase chocolate milk for all the attendees at your workout class.
JANUARY 6: NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DAY
Social Media Copy: Today is National Technology Day! We are always looking for new technology to use to help us produce safe, nutrient-rich milk for everyone to enjoy. Check out this post to see how technology is used on Michigan farms: milkmeansmore.org/technology-makes-us-better-farmers/
Promotion Idea: Host a group of students on your farm and show them the different types of technology you use. At the end of the tour, provide the group with dairy snacks paid for by a dairy promotion grant.
JANUARY 11: NATIONAL MILK DAY
Social Media Copy: As National Milk Day approaches, check the Milk Means More and Dairy Good social media channels for content to share with your followers. We will also be including updates in our monthly e-newsletter. Sign up to receive the e-news by emailing Jolene@MilkMeansMore.org.
Promotion Idea: Take a photo of your family doing a milk toast on your farm and share it on social media with the hashtags provided by Undeniably Dairy.
JANUARY 20: NATIONAL CHEESE LOVERS DAY
Social Media Copy: Sprinkle it. Melt it. Spread it. Top it. Whichever way you prefer to enjoy your cheese, add on some extra today in celebration of National Cheese Lovers Day! Visit the Milk Means More website to learn all about everyone’s favorite dairy food. milkmeansmore.org/healthy-eating/dairy-nutrition/milk-cheese-yogurt/cheese/
Promotion Idea: Hand out string cheese at a community event or your child’s school.
Lactose Intolerance Awareness Month
FEBRUARY: Lactose Intolerance Awareness Month
Social Media Copy: February is Lactose Intolerance Awareness Month. There are lots of ways lactose intolerant individuals can comfortably enjoy dairy foods and meet their nutrient recommendations. Learn more about lactose intolerance on the Milk Means More website. milkmeansmore.org/healthy-eating/lactose-intolerance/
Promotion Idea: Pass out lactose intolerance educational handouts and lactose intolerance-friendly dairy snacks at your local grocery store.
FEBRUARY 2: SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
Social Media Copy: (Share this post during the week leading up to the Super Bowl) Find the perfect recipe (filled with dairy goodness, of course!) for your Super Bowl party on the Milk Means More website. milkmeansmore.org/recipe/?fwp_recipe_type=appetizers
Promotion Idea: Host a Super Bowl party and provide plenty of delicious dairy snacks for your guests or invite them to bring their own!
FEBRUARY 9: NATIONAL PIZZA DAY
Social Media Copy: The Milk Means More website has plenty of delicious pizza recipes for you to choose from to help you celebrate National Pizza Day! milkmeansmore.org/?s=pizza&post_type=recipe
Promotion Idea: Host a make-your-own pizza party and try different blends of cheeses.
National Nutrition Month
National Ag Month
National Reading Month
MARCH: NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH
Social Media Copy: In celebration of National Nutrition Month, learn why milk is a nutrient powerhouse. milkmeansmore.org/educational-resources/milk-nutrient-powerhouse-poster/
Promotion Idea: Provide your school with healthy dairy snacks and handouts on the benefits of including dairy in your diet.
MARCH: NATIONAL READING MONTH
Social Media Copy: March is National Reading Month, and to help you celebrate, here are some ag-related children’s books on the Milk Means More website. Ask your local libraries if they have these books! milkmeansmore.org/cant-go-farm-read-books-instead/
Promotion Idea: Bring fun ag-related books to your school and read to the students to teach about life on the farm. Contact the UDIM office to discuss how you can use a dairy promotion grant to do this.
MARCH: NATIONAL AG MONTH
MARCH 24: AG DAY
Social Media Copy: In celebration of National Ag Month and National Ag Day, share some of the social media messages from the Ag Day website or share a post explaining why you do what you do. “I work in agriculture because…” Here is an ag fact to inspire you: Only 1.7% of the U.S. population produces food for all of us, plus millions worldwide. agday.org/promote
Make sure to include the hashtag provided by the National Ag Day website and stay up to date by signing up to receive our monthly e-newsletter. Email Jolene@MilkMeansMore.org to be added to the list.
Promotion Idea: Visit a local school and speak with a classroom about dairy farming and why you love what you do. To learn more about requesting an educational resources toolkit for your classroom visit or download our Healthy Farming, Healthy You handout here: milkmeansmore.org/educational-resources/healthy-farming-healthy-you/
MARCH 8: NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Social Media Copy: Today is National Women’s Day, and women in agriculture continue to make a difference in Michigan’s dairy industry. We encourage you to share a post highlighting the amazing women that work on your farm.
Promotion Idea: Host an appreciation event for your employees, highlighting the women that work on the farm.
National Grilled Cheese Month
APRIL: NATIONAL GRILLED CHEESE MONTH
Social Media Copy: Learn how to upgrade your grilled cheese game throughout April in celebration of National Grilled Cheese Month. milkmeansmore.org/recipes-upgrade-grilled-cheese-game/
Promotion Idea: Consider using a dairy promotion grant to host an event celebrating grilled cheese — provide various types of cheeses for people to experiment with.
APRIL 10: NATIONAL SIBLINGS DAY
Social Media Copy: Today is National Siblings Day! Did you know that 97% of dairy farms in Michigan are family-owned, and it’s very common for siblings to work together on the farm? [If applicable, insert a personal story about working on the farm with your siblings.] Check out this page on the Milk Means More website to meet some of the Michigan Farm families: milkmeansmore.org/milk-local/meet-dairy-farm-families/mi-farm-families/
Promotion Idea: Work a community event with your siblings and pass out dairy foods to attendees while sharing the story of your farm.
APRIL 22: EARTH DAY
Social Media Copy: Dairy farmers are committed to sustainability and protecting the environment. Talk about how your family recycles water [or insert a different sustainable practice] on your farm to protect the natural resources for future generations. Share this post from Milk Means More to show your followers how farmers reuse water: milkmeansmore.org/ask-a-dairy-farmer-how-do-farmers-reuse-water/
Promotion Idea: Host a farm tour and explain all the ways you practice sustainability on your farm, or if you are unable to host an event, share a video on your farm’s social media page talking about sustainability on your farm.
National Osteoporosis Month
MAY: NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS MONTH
Social Media Copy: May is National Osteoporosis Month. Dairy foods are an important source of essential nutrients for bone and overall health. Visit the Milk Means More website to learn more about how you can build and maintain strong bones for life. milkmeansmore.org/osteoporosis-prevention-healthy-bones-matter-ages/
Promotion Idea: Hand out dairy snacks at a local organization, along with a handout on the importance of dairy in your diet throughout different stages of life. Download the handout and print it at home or call the UDIM office to request it and we can mail it to you. milkmeansmore.org/educational-resources/going-strong-handout/
MAY 15: NATIONAL PIZZA PARTY DAY
Social Media Copy: Pick one of these pizza recipes from the Milk Means More website and invite family and friends over to try making them in honor of National Pizza Party Day: milkmeansmore.org/?s=pizza&post_type=recipe
Promotion Idea: Host your local 4H club for a make-your-own-pizza party, and then share your cheesy creations on social media.
June Dairy Month
JUNE: NATIONAL DAIRY MONTH
Social Media Copy: As June Dairy Month approaches, check the Milk Means More and Dairy Good social media channels for content to share with your followers. We will also be including updates in our monthly e-newsletter. Sign up to receive the e-news by emailing Jolene@MilkMeansMore.org.
Promotion Idea: Post photos and/or a message that connects consumers back to the farm —and what’s real — when it comes to dairy and your connection to dairy. If you don’t have your own picture to post, don’t worry, UDIM and Dairy Good have several assets available to download, along with sample posts and key messages.
JUNE 1: WORLD MILK DAY
Social Media Copy: As June Dairy Month approaches, check the Milk Means More and Dairy Good social media channels for content to share with your followers. We will also be including updates in our monthly e-newsletter. Sign up to receive the e-news by emailing Jolene@MilkMeansMore.org.
Promotion Idea: Take a photo of your family doing a milk toast on your farm and share it on social media with the hashtags: #WorldMilkDay #UndeniablyDairy #MilkMeansMore
JUNE 4: NATIONAL CHEESE DAY
Social Media Copy: What better way to celebrate National Cheese Day than creating your own cheese board? Visit the Milk Means More website for tips on putting together a memorable and delicious cheese board. milkmeansmore.org/dazzle-with-the-best-and-easiest-cheese-board-ever/
Promotion Idea: Hand out cheesy snacks at a community event or organization.
National Ice Cream Month
JULY: NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH
Social Media Copy: Ice cream is a delicious way to beat the summer heat. Mix things up this July, in celebration of National Ice Cream Month, with fun flavors and new ways to enjoy everyone’s favorite sweet treat. milkmeansmore.org/celebrate-ice-cream-month-with-fun-flavors/
Promotion Idea: Host an ice cream social on the farm.
JULY 14: NATIONAL MAC AND CHEESE DAY
Social Media Copy: Try one of these tasty recipes from the Milk Means More website in honor of National Mac and Cheese Day! milkmeansmore.org/?s=mac&post_type=recipe
Promotion Idea: Work with a local restaurant to highlight mac and cheese on the menu in celebration of this holiday. See if they are willing to share fun facts about the local farm families that help produce the dairy foods everyone enjoys.
JULY 25: NATIONAL WINE & CHEESE DAY
Social Media Copy: It’s National Wine and Cheese Day! Not sure which wines go well with which cheeses? Milk Means More has the answers! Check out their Cheese Pairing Guide: milkmeansmore.org/promotional-materials/cheese-pairing-guide-2/
Promotion Idea: Work with a local winery or restaurant to host a wine and cheese pairing event — they provide the wine, and you provide the cheese using a dairy promotion grant.
Back-to-School Time
AUGUST 2: BACK TO SCHOOL!
Social Media Copy: Time for the kids to head back to school! Make sure to pack a delicious, healthy dairy snack in their lunches. Here are some healthy packed school lunches your kids won’t complain about milkmeansmore.org/healthy-packed-school-lunches/
Promotion Idea: Set up a meeting with your school’s food service director to ensure they are providing dairy foods to the students. Contact the UDIM office to request informational handouts to take with you to the meeting.
AUGUST 2: NATIONAL ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY
Social Media Copy: Get crazy for National Ice Cream Sandwich Day and try these Crazy Candy Ice Cream Sandwiches from the Milk Means More website: milkmeansmore.org/recipe/crazy-candy-ice-cream-sandwiches/
Promotion Idea: Hand out ice cream sandwiches at your local grocery store or at an outdoor community event to help attendees cool down in the summer heat.
AUGUST 8: NATIONAL FROZEN CUSTARD DAY
Social Media Copy: Fun Fact: Custard is made from milk, cream and egg yolks, which makes it unique from ice cream. Try making your own homemade frozen custard with this recipe from Milk Means More: milkmeansmore.org/recipe/frozen-custard/
Promotion Idea: Make homemade frozen custard with your local 4H club.
AUGUST 26: NATIONAL DOG DAY
Social Media Copy: National Dog Day is a day to honor a farmer’s best friend — dogs! Introduce your furry friends to your followers by sharing photos or videos of your dog(s) around the farm, along with some of their favorite activities. Need some inspiration? Check out our Facebook video: facebook.com/MilkMeansMore/videos/2121920941352781/
Promotion Idea: In honor of National Dog Day, research 5ks or fun/run walks in your community and see if any allow dogs to run with participants. Hand out chocolate milk and cheese sticks to the owners of the furry runners.
Autumn Farm Tours
SEPTEMBER 27: AUTUMN FARM TOURS
Social Media Copy: Fall weather is perfect for farm tours! Now that school is back in session, contact your school’s teachers and offer to host their students on the farm for a tour. If the class is unable to make it out to the farm, UDIM has hosted multiple virtual farm tours for students, and they can be viewed here:
[Copy and paste the link that best fits your students’ age group]
Pre-K to 2nd Grade: youtube.com/watch?v=EyA6R_tXTL8 OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSV1H03NpFw
3rd to 5th Grade: youtube.com/watch?v=7qls6Pf9H7M
Middle and High School Students: youtube.com/watch?v=ZKQgm1TR9u4
Promotion Idea: If the students are unable to visit your farm, offer to visit their classroom to watch the virtual farm tour with them and answer any questions they have. Use a dairy promotion grant to bring them dairy snacks to enjoy while watching the tour.
SEPTEMBER 27: NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MILK DAY
Social Media Copy: Test your followers’ knowledge (and yours!) of chocolate milk by sharing “Chocolate Milk Myths BUSTED” from the MMM website (milkmeansmore.org/myths-and-facts-about-chocolate-milk/). Make sure to remind your followers that no matter the flavor, milk will always be the same delicious beverage that provides nine essential nutrients!
Promotion Idea: Work with athletic coaches and staff at your high school to provide them with chocolate milk for their athletes to drink after a practice or game. Encourage your school’s Athletic Director or coaches to apply for the UDIM Chocolate Milk Grant by visiting this link: milkmeansmore.org/schools-educators/grants/
SEPTEMBER 29: NATIONAL COFFEE DAY
Social Media Copy: Make sure to use real dairy cream in your coffee this morning! Here is a tasty coffee cake recipe to go with it: milkmeansmore.org/recipe/pumpkin-coffee-cake/
Promotion Idea: Show support for your school staff by bringing them coffee and real dairy creamer.
SEPTEMBER 30: WORLD SCHOOL MILK DAY
Social Media Copy: Here are five great reasons to celebrate World School Milk Day! milkmeansmore.org/5-reasons-to-celebrate-world-school-milk-day/
Promotion Idea: Introduce yourself to your school as a dairy resource and work with them to hand out milk to students.
National Pizza Month
OCTOBER: NATIONAL PIZZA MONTH
Social Media Copy: In celebration of National Pizza Month, try a new pizza recipe each week this month — the Milk Means More website has plenty for you to choose from! milkmeansmore.org/page/1/?s=pizza&post_type=recipe#038;post_type=recipe
OCTOBER 12: NATIONAL FARMERS DAY
Social Media Copy: Share photos or videos of life on the farm and tell your followers why you love being a dairy farmer. Also, make sure to check the Milk Means More and Dairy Good social media channels for content to share with your followers. We will also be including updates in our monthly e-newsletter. Sign up to receive the e-news by emailing Jolene@MilkMeansMore.org.
Promotion Idea: Attend a farmers market or other community event and pass out dairy snacks while talking with consumers about dairy. Use a dairy promotion grant to pay for the dairy snacks and partner with your local farm bureau to assist you with the planning.
OCTOBER 12-16: NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK
Social Media Copy: The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in over 100,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It helps provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to students across the country. Learn more about why school lunch is so important to our youth on the Milk Means More website. milkmeansmore.org/schools-educators/school-meals/school-lunch/
Promotion Idea: Introduce yourself to your school as a dairy resource and work with them to hand out milk and/or dairy snacks to students.
National Eat Smart Month
NOVEMBER: NATIONAL EAT SMART MONTH
Social Media Copy: Happy National Eat Smart Month! With holidays right around the corner, eating healthy can become more of a challenge. Here are a few tricks and tips to follow when it comes to eating healthy without breaking the bank: milkmeansmore.org/8-tips-for-eating-healthy-on-a-budget/
Promotion Idea: Choose one of these Better-For-You Recipes from the Milk Means More website to make and bring it with you to a holiday gathering this season. Make sure to share with your guests that it was made with real dairy goodness!
NOVEMBER 4: NATIONAL EATING HEALTHY DAY
Social Media Copy: Today is National Eating Healthy Day! The Milk Means More website has plenty of healthy recipes for you to choose from but remember to also consider your beverage choice when making healthy choices! Learn more about all the essential nutrients that milk provides in the following links.
Healthy Recipes: milkmeansmore.org/recipe/?fwp_specialty=better-for-you
Think Your Drink: milkmeansmore.org/educational-resources/think-your-drink-poster/
Promotion Idea: Provide string cheese for attendees at a local event or grocery store, along with information on the nutritional benefits of dairy. Call the UDIM office to request handouts and other resources.
NOVEMBER 5: NATIONAL QUESADILLA DAY
Social Media Copy: In celebration of National Quesadilla Day, try these BBQ Chicken & Pineapple Quesadillas with Tangy Greek Yogurt Dip from the Milk Means More website. milkmeansmore.org/recipe/bbq-chicken-pineapple-quesadillas-tangy-greek-yogurt-dip/
Promotion Idea: Invite your neighbors to the farm for a make-your-own quesadilla party. Use a dairy promotion grant to purchase various types of cheeses for guests to choose from.
NOVEMBER 11: NATIONAL SUNDAE DAY
Social Media Copy: It may be cold outside, but it’s still a great day for an ice cream sundae! In celebration of National Sundae Day, try these Mini Mango Ice Cream Sundaes from the Milk Means More website. milkmeansmore.org/recipe/mini-mango-ice-cream-sundaes/
Promotion Idea: Host a sundae-making party on the farm and provide various types of ice cream and fun toppings for guests to enjoy.
Celebrating the Holidays
DECEMBER 4: NATIONAL COOKIE DAY
Social Media Copy: It’s National Cookie Day! Many Michigan Dairy Farm Families have traditions of making their family’s favorite holiday cookie every year. Our favorite recipe is [insert your favorite cookie recipe]. Read about some of the farm families’ favorite recipes here: milkmeansmore.org/michigan-dairy-farm-families-share-favorite-cookie-recipes/
Promotion Idea: Invite your neighbors to the farm for a holiday cookie-making party and share your creations on social media.
DECEMBER 13: NATIONAL HOT COCOA DAY
Social Media Copy: Cozy up with one of these delicious hot cocoa recipes from the Milk Means More website in celebration of National Hot Cocoa Day. milkmeansmore.org/?s=hot+cocoa&post_type=recipe
Promotion Idea: Apply for a dairy promotion grant to purchase real cow’s milk to make hot cocoa and pass out the drinks to shoppers near a local store.