HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Commissioners meeting had a pretty sweet agenda.

Attending their June 27 meeting were Tiffany Tyler and the Wayne County Dairy Court, young women and girls who represent local farmers and spread the word about the importance of the dairy industry in Wayne County. 

If it weren’t for farmers, said this year’s Dairy Maid, Zoey Tyler, “We wouldn’t have nature’s most perfect beverage that provides our bodies with essential nutrients.” 

She then raised a bottle of milk to give cheers to both the hard-working farmers and their high-yielding cows.

The commissioners returned the cheers. 

The dairy industry has always been an essential part of Pennsylvania’s economy—so much so that in 1982, milk became the commonwealth’s official beverage. Currently, Pennsylvania has the second-highest number of dairy farm families—4,940—in the country, the proclamation says. These families manage more than 465,000 cows, which can produce up to 10 billion pounds of milk per year. 

The proclamation additionally states that “one dairy cow in the state of Pennsylvania creates $24,000 in economic revenue, and every 10 dairy cows supports at least one job in the dairy food supply chain.”

“The importance of being able to feed our own people from our own soil is what gives us national security,” said Commissioner Brian Smith. “So for you to be doing what you’re doing at a grassroots level right here in our communities is critically important, so thank you all.”

Commissioner Jocelyn Cramer said, “This is a big part of our history, and it is a big part of our future here in Wayne County.”

With that praise in mind, the commissioners approved a proclamation designating June as Dairy Month and July as Ice Cream Month in Wayne County.  

To celebrate, the Dairy Court faced off against the commissioners in their annual ice cream sundae building contest. This event took place on the courthouse front lawn and drew a sizable crowd. The Dairy Court and commissioners each had three large boxes of vanilla ice cream, along with various bottles of chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Whichever team could empty all of the boxes and toppings to create a giant sundae first won. The competition was close, but in the end the Dairy Court pulled through to defeat the commissioners.

Since everyone had a chance to taste some of the delicious sundaes, they were all winners that day. 

Employee anniversaries recognized

In other county business: Commissioners recognized three employees from the Wayne County Transportation Department for their service. 

Hank Williams and Warren “Butch” Legg are both drivers for the county. Legg also helps with vehicle maintenance. Commissioners recognized Williams for one year of service, and Legg for five years of service. 

Additionally, commissioners thanked Susan Meade for her five years as a dispatcher.