Harrisburg, Pa. – To celebrate June Dairy Month and support dairy education programs, the Dairy Excellence Foundation will host its annual farm-to-fork celebration, “A Toast to Dairy,” on Thursday, June 12, from 6-9 p.m. at Melhorn Manor, 977 West Main Street, Mount Joy, Pa.

The event includes meal stations sourced with Pennsylvania Preferred ingredients, an interactive chocolate and cheese tasting experience with artisan cheeses from the Pennsylvania Cheese Guild, locally crafted wines, brews and spirits, networking opportunities, and more.

“Last year, more than 375 people joined us at A Toast to Dairy to celebrate Pennsylvania dairy and enjoy an evening out while learning about programs that directly support students who are pursuing careers in dairy,” said Emily Barge, communications and marketing manager at the Dairy Excellence Foundation. “We hope you’ll join us this June for a night to remember with locally sourced food and drink while hearing some fantastic stories and meeting individuals across the dairy community.”

This year’s event will feature:

• Farm-to-fork food stations – Thanks to local businesses and food donors, attendees can enjoy a variety of dinner options sourced with local, Pennsylvania Preferred ingredients. The Pennsylvania Cheese Guild will also have a spread of artisan cheeses to sample from cheesemakers across the state.

• Wine and brew tasting experience – Attendees will receive a guided tasting passport to sample wine, beer and spirits from local businesses, including Tröegs Independent Brewing, Grandview Vineyard, Distillery 51, Lindgren Craft Brewery, and Stone Mountain Wine Cellars.

• Cheese and chocolate tasting sessions – Led by the Pennsylvania Cheese Guild, see how your favorite Pennsylvania cheeses pair with unique chocolate items such as dark chocolate bites, chocolate-covered strawberries, spreadable chocolate, and more. Tasting sessions will be happening multiple times throughout the evening.

• Dessert bar – A variety of desserts will be available, including ice cream tastings from three different Pennsylvania creameries, pie and baked goods from Karns Quality Foods, cheesecake from the Pennsylvania Bakery, and cookies from Taylor Chip Cookies.

• Raffle baskets – Attendees can purchase raffle tickets and enter to win baskets donated by event sponsors.

• Caricature artists and photo booth – Attendees can enjoy a photo booth and also take home a personalized drawing from a live caricature artist during the event.

• Live music hour featuring Julia Brown.

“Everything about this event was absolutely amazing! It was so well organized, so well put together, and the variety of food and drink was outstanding. The pairing session was so informative. I loved hearing about the history of each farm, cheese and food pairing, and the atmosphere was out of this world,” shared Jennifer Orr of Harmony Acres Dairy who attended the event last year.

All proceeds from the event will support the scholarships, curriculum, educational programs, and on-farm internships provided through the Dairy Excellence Foundation. Those who are unable to attend the event can still support the Foundation at http://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/donate.

• Thank you to the following businesses who committed to sponsoring the event:

Dave & Janet Hileman Family Foundation
Cornerstone HR & Mgmt. Consulting
Corteva Agriscience & Pioneer Seeds
Agricultural Veterinary Associates
True Edge Performance Solutions
Balsbaugh Insurance Agency
Hostetter & Hostetter CPAs
Dairy Farmers of America
Acuity Advisors and CPAs
New Holland Agriculture
Perdue Animal Nutrition
Fisher & Thompson, Inc.
Pennsylvania Preferred
Weaver Associates, Inc.
Merck Animal Health
Morrissey Insurance
Scotch Hill Solutions
Maola Local Dairies
Milky Haven Farms
Colebrook Crossing
King Construction
Feedworks USA
Pennian Bank
Land O’ Lakes
Turner Dairy
Peter Ressler
TeamAg Inc.
Farm Credit
Fulton Bank
AMS Galaxy
ACNB Bank
Farmer Boy
Good Roots
G5 Agency
4Ward Ag
Messick’s
DairyOne
Cargill
KDR

Several dairy farms have also committed to sponsoring the event. Thank you to:

Meadow Spring Farm, Pleasant Lane Farms, Brubaker Farms, Evergreen Farms, Walmoore Holsteins, Jubilee Dairy LLC, Meadow Vista Dairy, Jobo Holsteins, Reinford Farms, S&A Kreider Farms, Apple Shamrock Dairy Farms, Dry Creek Farms, Rohrer Dairy Farms, Zugstead Farm, Meadow Wood Farms, Schrack Farms, Stoner Hijos Farm.