Southwest Dairy Farmers Provide Nutrition Education

Combatting health issues and improving nutrition in children are the priorities of many
health organizations, but solutions are often overlooked and neglected.
Nutrition education for youth is commonly handled by the school cafeteria, but it is no
more than a poster here or there. Southwest Dairy Farmers is a check-off program that dairy
producers pay into. In-turn the program promotes the dairy industry by teaching through an
integrated system of agriculture and nutrition.
By providing information to consumers about the nutritional benefits of dairy, consumers
are able to see the source of their food. Southwest Dairy Farmers travels to educational events
and schools to spread their message.
A mini, mobile dairy, very similar to a mobile classroom, is used by the Southwest Dairy
Farmers for their mobile classroom program. An instructor has 32-foot trailer that transports the
cow and serves as the milking parlor for demonstrations.
Southwest Dairy Farmers believe that every child should have a glass of milk at every
meal because of its nutritional benefits.
Starting out young, children eating healthy is important for a healthy lifestyle and by
getting three to four servings a day we can be sure of that, Southwest Dairy Farmers Education
Program Director Shirley Lettkeman said.
Benefits of Milk
During presentations, Southwest Dairy Farmers stress the importance of the nutrients
found in dairy. Milk contains calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, Vitamin B12, riboflavin,
niacin, Vitamin A and Vitamin D, which is fortified.
According to the World Health Organization, 190 million children are Vitamin A deficient
and 5.2 million are blind due to a Vitamin A deficiency.
Nutrient deficiencies is an issue that not only exists in children, but in prenatal cases as
well, Cora Furr nurse practitioner and registered labor and delivery nurse said.
According to the WHO, many lifelong nutrient deficiencies can be prevented while the
mother is pregnant and breastfeeding. Providing adequate nutrients and nutritional information to
mothers during pregnancy would prevent intra-uterine growth restrictions that have lifelong
effects on children.
Although additional calcium is not needed for pregnant and lactating women, protein
and Vitamin B12 are needed to grow developing bodies, Furr said. Vitamin B12 is needed for
DNA replication and to help transport iron, reducing chances of anemia in mother and child.
Nutrition Education
The WHO believes nutrition education and intervention is worth the costs to society to
prevent malnourishment.
Michelle Obama and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack created the graphic figure, MyPlate,
to serve as a nutritional guide to Americans.

A part of MyPlate is a glass of milk or a serving of dairy. Southwest Dairy Farmers

supports and promotes the MyPlate program by incorporating the graphic in their literature and
in presentations.
The Southwest Dairy Farmers presentations do not charge schools or organizations. The
goal is to educate and spread the word about the dairy industry and living a healthy life.
In addition to traveling to schools and educational institutions, Southwest Dairy Farmers
support and attend Special Olympic and Susan G. Koman events.
We hand out chocolate milk after a race because we believe that chocolate milk is a
good recovery drink, Lettkeman said.
Many of the presentations are geared toward promoting dairy products, but they include
ample information about healthy living in general.
In their presentation the instructor discusses the importance of going outside and being
active. The instructor explains how phosphorus and calcium build strong bones, but have to be
activated by Vitamin D. Vitamin D is obtained from exposure to the sun and being outdoors, the
instructor continues to explain.
When teaching consumers about nutrition, especially youth, the Southwest Dairy Farmers
utilize examples that are applicable to the audience.
Malnourishment in the U.S. is overlooked. Southwest Dairy Farmers provide information
to consumers about where their milk comes from, how it is processed and how it aides in
nourishment.
Southwest Dairy Farmers incorporate a cow into their presentation to serve as a visual
tool and help people understand the reduced stress on animals. The use of the cow is especially
important to inner-city consumers who lack an understanding in agriculture. Utilizing a cow
helps combat animal rights concerns from a nutritional, educational stance.
Nutrition is a growing concern among upper-middle class Americans as well as a global issue.
Majority of those who are concerned with the whereabouts of their food fail to understand
animal production incorporated into the food industry. Check-off programs, like Southwest Dairy
Farmers, provide agricultural and nutritional information to the public and strive to branch out to
different types of consumers.