WHEREAS, the formation of the United Dairymen of Arizona in 1960 represented vision, courage, business acumen and foresight, and

WHEREAS, 97% of the dairy producers holding Arizona dairy permits are members of Arizona’s only dairy cooperative, and

WHEREAS, Arizona dairy producers rank top in the nation for per-cow production, and

WHEREAS, this activity constitutes a major segment of the state’s economy, annually creating over $5 billion dollars of economic impact in Arizona; and

WHEREAS, the dairy industry includes not only dairy producers and their families, but also the employees, and growers of feed crops, educators, quality specialists, equipment manufactures and distributors, veterinarians, scientists, processors, shippers, marketers and retailers; and

WHEREAS, the careful use of land, energy and water by Arizona’s dairy producers maintains a healthy and sustainable environment; and

WHEREAS, this renewable and essential industry is vital to the well-being and quality of life of the state of Arizona;

WHEREAS, the dairy industry nationwide has just experienced an economic trough longer and deeper than any since the Depression of the 1930’s, testing the resiliency of Arizona’s dairy producers,

NOW, THEREFORE, I Janice Brewer, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby

proclaim January 29, 2010
to be United Dairymen of Arizona Day