Hi, my name is Lindsey McMahon and I am the new New York State 1st Alternate Dairy Princess. Growing up on a dairy farm since I was a little girl, dairy farming has always been a huge part of my life. As I grew up, I developed a true love, passion, and fascination, not only with the animals themselves, but with the industry as a whole. Therefore, last year I decided to run for Rensselaer County Dairy Princess, and this year for New York State Dairy Princess. As princess, it’s my job to travel to various events all around the county to educate the public about proper nutrition pertaining to dairy, and how dairy farms function. Many people don’t truly understand how beneficial milk is for our bodies. Milk contains nine essential nutrients including riboflavin, niacin, protein, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, D, and B12, which all aid our bodies in functions performed every day. As the consumer, you are able to choose what percent milk you buy, controlling your calorie and fat intake, without sacrificing any nutrition. Now, milk is even made so that it can be consumed by people suffering from lactose intolerance. It is so important that people consume their 3 Every Day of dairy, which includes an eight ounce glass of milk, eight ounces of yogurt, and one ounce of cheese, but it is truly incredible the number of people who don’t eat dairy due to misconceptions about the product.
Another common topic discussed as a dairy princess is on-farm practices, and how they help milk get from the animal to your kitchen. A farmer’s number one concern is the care of their animals. They make sure their cows have access to clean water, food, and bedding twenty four hours a day with adequate space to move around comfortably. They also provide their animals with fantastic medical care, to ensure that the entire herd is healthy. This nutrition, comfort, and care all help cows to produce safe wholesome and nutritious milk for consumers everywhere.
The last topic most commonly addressed by dairy princesses is how farming impacts the environment. Farmers follow strict government standards and regulations to ensure the protection of the soil, air, and water. Many people don’t understand the level of dependence a farmer has on the environment. Without nutritious soil, farmers will have no crops to feed their families and herd. Clean air and water is something that the animals and farmer depend on for life every day. Everyday each cow consumes nearly an entire bath tub full of water! Without this nutritious resource being clean, their health could be seriously harmed. Now farms everywhere are beginning to take environmentally friendly steps, to help make their facilities more efficient, and help preserve our surroundings. A few of these practices include the use of biodegradable paper towels, energy efficient light bulbs, windmills, methane digesters, and solar panels.
Through each event I attended this year my passion for this industry grew more and more. As New York State 1st Alternate Dairy Princess, I look forward to continuing educating people about the benefits of the dairy industry and hope to spread this message for years to come.
