Thursday is a big day. Around the world, glasses will be raised on June 1 in celebration of World Milk Day. Started in 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the day promotes milk and the milk industry. I’ll be joining in the celebration, along with the team here at Land O’Lakes, Inc.

Our dairy roots run deep and today, many consumers know us best for our butter. What they might not know are the stories of our member-owners. Specifically, our 2,079 dairy producers who work each day to produce the highest quality milk, all while taking care of their land, animals and communities. These are the hardest working men and women I know.

That’s why we’re raising a glass to dairy farmers with a special “thank you” tribute. For World Milk Day, our Dairy Foods and Land O’Lakes, Inc. social media channels will feature photos of real Land O’Lakes dairy producers, like Burli Hopkins and Marilyn Hershey. For every like, comment or share these tributes receive, we will contribute $1 to the 4-H youth organization, up to a total $20,000.  See official rules. We’re also asking everyone to post their own tributes to dairy farmers on our social media pages.

Our celebration won’t stop on the first, though. Since 1937, the entire month of June has been dedicated to all things dairy. Initially created to stabilize dairy demand, the month has transformed into an annual celebration of the dairy industry. From product samples at grocery stores to dairy parades, cow milking contests and giveaways, June Dairy Month is all about the cooperation between farmers, community members, manufacturers, retailers and consumers.

I’ll cheers to that. I hope you’ll help us keep the tributes and celebration of dairy going throughout June and beyond.