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The Morristown-Hamblen Library and Hamblen County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee welcomed kids into the George S. Hale Community Room on Friday to celebrate Dairy Month.

The Committee and Hamblen County School’s 4H and FFA students created a full program for kids to learn how milk is produced and how important it is for their bodies.

Kids were read a story about dairy products and then participated in fun activities and games, some even went home with prizes.

After the program was completed families enjoyed ice cream after learning how it was made.

Donna Morris, Hamblen County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, discussed what the kids experience and learn from the event.

“We started by showing them products made with dairy,” Morris said. “We then read fun children’s books about dairy cows and played diary bingo. As the day concluded we gave them ice cream to enjoy and dairy pencils and an activity book about dairy.”

She explained the reasoning for having the event is to teach the younger generation about where dairy products come from.

“It’s a part of Dairy Day which lies in National Dairy Month,” Morris said. “It’s so important that we educate children about the process of dairy because most of them think milk comes from the store, but it’s important that we educate them that milk comes from a cow and also teach them the different procedures that different dairy products are made.”

Jennifer Overbay, Morristown-Hamblen High School East Agriculture and Animal Science instructor and FFA advisor, discussed why it’s important for children to learn where dairy products come from.

“Here in Hamblen County we currently don’t have any more existing dairy farms so it’s even more important that we educate these kids about dairy products and the things they get from milk,” Overbay said. “There is a huge difference between dairy animals and beef animals and so we hope to teach them that if they see a dairy animal they can tell the difference between one that is healthy and one that isn’t.

“A dairy animal you should be able to see the bones because all of that extra calcium and fat is going into that milk production to keep it wholesome.

“It’s important they know where those things like yogurt, cheese and ice cream come from.”

She also explained why it’s important for parents to be informed about dairy, especially for their child’s diet.

“This event isn’t just important for kids but also important for parents to learn how important dairy products are in a kid’s life.”

“We also want to teach parents the importance of dairy in the kids’ diets because we have a lot of artificial dairy products but for younger kids it’s essential to incorporate dairy in their diet for bone and cell growth. Pediatricians recommend whole milk for young kids.

Overbay shared how this event isn’t just helping the children, but also the students who volunteered to help.

“This helps the 4H and FFA Students gain public speaking skills and communication skills,” she said. “Most days kids are glued to their phone so this gives them a chance to get out of their comfort zone and talk about something they are passionate about.”

Among those students who were present was Sara Jarnigan, June Dairy Month Chairman, who worked alongside the Hamblen County Farm Bureau Women to prepare the program.

Overbay offered different options of merchants and dairy products that are produced locally that the community can support.

“Weigels still sells Tennessee milk. A lot of Laura Lynn’s milk comes from the state and North Carolina,” she said. “If people want to buy from local farmers there is the Stooksbury Dairy Creamery in Jefferson City.”

The group will return next month to celebrate Beef Month and teach children about beef animals. For more information about Beef Month visit the Morristown-Hamblen Library’s website or call 423-586-6410.