Date for 2005 Allamakee Dairy Banquet has been "mooooved"

The 2005 Allamakee County Dairy Days Banquet originally scheduled for Saturday, March 12 has had to be rescheduled due to a potential scheduling conflict with that date. The banquet will now be held the following Saturday, March 19 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion. The meal will still be served from 7 - 8:30 p.m., with the program starting at 8 p.m.
The annual celebration recognizes the importance of the dairy industry in Allamakee County and the contributions dairy families make to this important industry.
Every year, top producers from the county are recognized at the banquet. In addition, several other awards are presented that evening. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County ISU Extension office are accepting nominations for the following awards:
* Outstanding Young Dairy Family Award - Honors young dairy farmers who have achieved excellence in managing their dairy enterprises, have contributed leadership to the dairy industry, and are respected in their communities. Dairy producers must be 35 years of age or younger to be nominated.
* Pioneer Dairyman - A long-time dairy producer who may or may not still be in production. This producer has made a significant contribution to the dairy industry, but has not been previously recognized as part of a Distinguished Dairy Family.
* Distinguished Dairy Family Award - Recognizes active dairy producers who have consistently exhibited exceptional milk quality and are outstanding in nearly all phases of dairy farming and service to the industry.
* Service to Dairy Industry Award - For those people who have had long careers in the dairy industry and have made valuable contributions to its future.
* Golden Butter Knife Award - Given to county businesses for the promotion of real dairy products.
* Dairy Scholarships - Sponsored by the Dairy Promotion Board, will be offered to high school seniors or students who are or will be enrolled in a dairy science curriculum at a college, trade school, or community college. A total of $300 is available for scholarships this year.
In addition, applications are being accepted for Junior Dairy Ambassadors and the 2005 Allamakee County Dairy Princess. Junior Dairy Ambassadors are youths, ages 8 to 10, who are interested in representing the dairy industry in Allamakee County. Dairy Princess candidates must live in Allamakee County. She or her parents must either own dairy cattle and have cattle engaged in milk production, or they must be actively employed in a dairy operation. Candidates must be between the ages of 18 and 22 and unmarried.
The Dairy Princess will make personal appearances during the year at events such as county banquets, parades, and other public events. The 2005 Dairy Princess' reign will begin in June.
Nomination forms for each of these awards and a list of previous winners are available at the ISU Extension office in Waukon. All nominations are due to the Extension office by February 7.