HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County Dairy Princess Allison Hardler and alternate Carmen Rutledge addressed the commissioners on June 21.

They were there to receive two county proclamations: for Dairy Month (June) and Ice Cream Month (July). Along with the Dairy Princess Court, the girls also provided samples from several farms that offer their products on the retail market.

These included raw milk from Hardler Farms, Gross Family Dairy and Fertile Valley Farm; cheese from Calkins Creamery; milk, flavored milk, ice cream and butter from Creamworks Creamery; and Yatsonsky Farm’s ice cream.

Allison told them, “You need your farmers. They’re the best way to get your food. By knowing who they are you can put money back into the community.”

Wayne County Dairy Promotion Committee spokeswoman Joan Schweighofer explained that the Dairy Princess Ambassador program begins in March with a call for candidates.

“I think it’s great that you’re ambassadors for these local products,” Commissioners chair and dairyman Brian Smith said.

“It’s also a great way to support our own families in a healthful and nutritious manner. Milk’s not just for kids. I believe an ice-cold glass of milk goes with anything,” Commissioner Wendell Kay said.

On one warm day in July, the commissioners and Dairy Princess Court will be giving away ice cream sundaes in Honesdale’s Central Park. A date has yet to be determined, but in the past this popular event has followed one of the commissioners’ Thursday morning meetings.

As stated in the dairy proclamation, “Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s leading economic driver, and the dairy industry is its largest component, ranking sixth in the United States, with nearly 6,570 dairy farm families who manage 525,000 cows that produce more than 10.9 billion pounds of milk annually.”

Area dairy farmers were to meet as a focus group with the consultant for the Economic Development Plan for Agriculture on June 27 to discuss possible options and new markets. Smith noted that state agriculture secretary Russell Redding is looking for suggestions for implementation at the state level.

In other commissioners’ business, the feasibility study for the rails and trails project was awarded to Woodland Design Associates of Beach Lake for a contract price of $80,000. The award followed meetings with four firms that responded to the request for proposals. The project will look at the possible routes, obstacles and funding sources for a rails with trails link between Honesdale and Hawley.

The commissioners approved a letter accepting a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Program grant for the Hawley Silk Mill. The original application requested $2 million from the state. Additional funds are tied to job creation. The grant was to be used to refit 18,000 square-feet of warehouse space for retail and office spaces. It will be scaled back to address one 9,000 square-foot floor of the building.

The commissioners also signed an agreement to have Pike County administer the EARN Program, which helps eligible recipients of public assistance find employment.