Oregon Dairy Industry Teams Up With Girl Scouts

From GSOSW: Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington (GSOSW), in partnership with the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) and Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council (ODNC), today announced a new program designed to educate girls about STEM concepts, farms and food production through a look at the Oregon dairy industry. Dairy is Oregon’s fifth most valuable commodity and milk is the official beverage of Oregon. Through five hands-on steps, the Oregon Dairy Patch program encourages girls to learn by doing as they visit a dairy farm, discover how milk is transformed into dairy products, explore dairy nutrition, and learn about careers in the industry, ranging from dairy farmer to food scientist to food marketer.

The program finishes off with a taste test. “The Oregon Dairy Patch program is a great opportunity for girls to discover the local food chain. It encourages them to be curious about where their food comes from, and what it takes to get it from the farm to the factory to their table,” said Lisa Gilham-Luginbill, Program Manager for Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “We hope they’ll learn something new along the way, and perhaps discover an interest or future career in the process.” About 30 percent of farmers in the U.S. are women. Of the estimated 969,672 female farmers, about a third of them are the “principal operators,” which means they are the person primarily responsible for running the farm day-to-day. Many women are leading the way for dairy and agriculture in Oregon including producers, processors, board members and even the director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Alexis Taylor. The Oregon Dairy Women celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2019, with many members dedicating decades of advocacy and service to the organization. “The development of the Oregon Dairy Patch program is truly a story of successful partnership,” said Sarah Beaubien, Senior Director of Stewardship at TCCA. “Sparked by the leadership of local Seaside Girl Scout troop leader Ashley Houston and her desire to expand the education of her girls, this partnership has since become a collaborative effort between multiple stakeholder groups. At TCCA, it aligns with our Enriched Communities commitment to support agricultural advocacy, food security, and healthful children.” “Like milk and cookies, working with Girl Scouts to build understanding about dairy is a perfect pairing,” said Josh Thomas, Senior Director of Communications for the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council. “Less than two percent of Americans have a connection to agriculture, so we’re bridging a gap with the youth of today who will be the leaders of tomorrow.”

200 Girl Scouts to Celebrate Inaugural Oregon Dairy Day at Tillamook Creamery October 20 The new program will be debuted at an event on October 20, 2018, held at TCCA’s new visitor experience, the Tillamook Creamery, in Tillamook, Oregon. 200 Girl Scout members will complete patch program steps as they visit an in-depth farm exhibit, meet dairy professionals and learn about dairy nutrition and the dairy industry from start to finish. The event is open only to Girl Scout members who have previously registered and members of the media. “We are honored to host the Girl Scouts Oregon Dairy Day at our new Tillamook Creamery,” said Beaubien. “By providing the Girl Scouts a hands-on, interactive experience with dairy professionals??-who may not have the opportunity otherwise—we hope that they leave more knowledgeable about, and interested in, an industry so important to Oregon. And of course, enjoy squeaky cheese curds in the process.”

Saturday, October 20, 2018 Tillamook Creamery 4165 Highway 101 North Tillamook, Oregon 97141 10 a.m. - Noon

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