Blue Ribbon MILK 5K/ 1 Mile Walk to be held at WHA State Picnic
BARABOO, Wis.: The Wisconsin Holstein Association is excited to announce that the WHA State Picnic will kick off this year with the Blue Ribbon MILK 5K/1 Mile Walk: Steps of Hope for Farmers at Gildale Holsteins on Sept. 17, 2017.
The Blue Ribbon 4-H Club of Iowa County will coordinate the Blue Ribbon MILK 5K/1 Mile Walk. Proceeds from the race will benefit program development supporting mental health of farmers, donating milk to a food pantry and the 4-H Club.
"Steps of Hope for Farmers" is shedding light on areas of darkness in rural communities. One in four Americans experiences mental health problems or disorders in any given year. According to a 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC), suicide rates for workers in the agricultural, fishing and forestry industry are the highest of any other occupational group, exceeding rates in other high-risk populations, including veterans.
“We are moving forward together to create awareness of mental health in farming,” said Brenda Gilbertson the founder of the Blue Ribbon MILK 5K.
The race will also support efforts to donate fresh milk to a local food pantry. On average, people served by food banks receive the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person per year. That’s because while Americans are generous with their food bank donations of canned and dry goods, fresh milk is much harder to donate because its perishable. All dairy milk provides nine essential nutrients with milk ranking as the top food source of calcium, potassium and Vitamin D. These nutrients are three of the four "nutrients of public health concern," that many Americans, including children, are most lacking in their diets.
Registration for the Blue Ribbon MILK 5K/ 1 Mile walk is $20 per person can be found at www.blueribbonmilk.racewire.com.
Wisconsin Holstein Members are encouraged to arrive early to the Picnic and lace up their sneakers to participate in this race. The top placing Holstein member will be recognized along with the first place female and male and the top 10 & under participant.
About Us
Wisconsin Holstein is a not-for-profit membership organization with the purpose of promoting the Wisconsin Registered Holstein Breed and its breeders and owners. For more information visit the WHA website at www.wisholsteins.com.