Ski Vermont to Present Contribution Check to Keep Local Farms Program at NEASDA Annual Meeting

WHAT: In its second year, Keep Local Farms has partnered with many diverse businesses, associations and individuals to help support New England dairy farms. Ski Vermont is one such partner. They will present their first contribution of $8,495 to the program at the annual Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA) reception hosted by Vermont. Ski Vermont's Fifth Grade Passport program enabled 2400 children to ski free in the 2010-11 season and Ski Vermont pledged to donate proceeds from the $10 processing fee to support New England dairy farmers.

About the NEASDA meetings:

Vermont will host the annual Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA) at Jay Peak Resort. Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Ross will welcome Agriculture officials, representatives from the Congressional Delegation, state officials and others to discuss policies, mutual concerns, regional initiatives and much more. Sunday night will also feature a Vermont Specialty Foods reception.

WHO:                Diane Bothfeld, Vermont Agency of Agriculture
                          Parker Riehle, President, Ski Vermont, Vermont Ski Areas Association
                          Jane Clifford, President, New England Family Dairy Farms Cooperative

WHEN:               June 5, 2011 - 6:45 p.m.

WHERE:             Jay Peak Resort, Alice’s Table

                          4850 VT route 242
                          Jay, VT 05859

Contacts: Jen Butson, Ski Vermont
802-223-2439; jen@skivermont.com

Kelly Loftus, Vermont Agency of Agriculture
802-828-3829

For directions visit: http://www.jaypeakresort.com/#/about_jay_peak/directions/by_car/

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Launched in September 2009, Keep Local Farms is part of a broad effort to educate consumers about the value of local dairy farms and also to raise funds to support New England dairy farms.  Keep Local Farms is partnering with retailers, universities and businesses to support local dairy farmers and the products they produce while increasing the demand for local milk.   The program was developed by the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council, New England Family Dairy Farms Cooperative and New England Dairy Promotion Board.   For more information, visit www.keeplocalfarms.org.