My favorite sweet treat has always been ice cream, especially on a hot summer day. Some of my fondest memories are of sitting on the porch with my grandparents after lunch, each of us enjoying an ice cream cone while watching the cows graze in the pasture. When the weather turned cooler, we didn’t give up our daily ritual – we just moved indoors, swapped the porch for the couch, and enjoyed our cones while watching old westerns.

June Dairy Month is the perfect time to enjoy a scoop (or two). Beyond the sweet treats, this month is also a chance to recognize and appreciate the hardworking dairy farmers who make it all possible.

Any time is a great time to enjoy your favorite dairy products, but June Dairy Month makes it extra special. This nationally recognized celebration lasts all month long and is filled with events and activities that help share the story of dairy and why it matters. The celebration began back in 1937 and was originally named National Milk Month to encourage people to drink more milk during a time of surplus. In 1939, the National Dairy Council assumed responsibility for promotion, and the name was subsequently changed to June Dairy Month. Since 1955, the American Dairy Association has led the month-long occasion promoting dairy products and supporting the people behind them.

Interestingly, ice cream’s history goes back long before June Dairy Month. Early versions of frozen treats appeared in ancient civilizations, where snow was mixed with milk, rice, fruit, or honey to create sweet, chilled desserts. Stories even tell of rulers sending runners into the mountains to gather snow for these rare delights. For much of history, ice cream remained a luxury. It was rare and expensive, enjoyed mostly by royalty and the wealthy. It wasn’t until the 1700s that ice cream began appearing in America, and by the 1800s, advancements in ice harvesting and refrigeration made it more widely available.

Today, ice cream is a beloved treat enjoyed by people of all ages, thanks to modern dairy farming and production methods. It's made by blending cream, milk, sugar, and flavorings before being pasteurized, homogenized, and churned to create the smooth texture we all love.

So, while June Dairy Month is a time to celebrate dairy and the hardworking people behind it, it’s also the perfect season to enjoy a treat with a history as rich as its flavor.

Dairy farmers are always hard at work. There are no days off; not on holidays, not on weekends, and not when the clock hits five. Their commitment keeps the dairy aisle stocked year-round.

This June, take time to visit a local dairy farm, pour an extra glass of milk, enjoy some more cheese, yogurt, or any favorite dairy snack, and don’t forget where that cool, refreshing scoop of ice cream got its start!

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Samantha Stamm is the 2025 Hoard’s Dairyman editorial intern. She co-owns and manages an Angus seedstock and commercial cow-calf operation with her family in northeast Kentucky. Stamm earned a master's degree in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor's degree in agribusiness with a dual major in animal science from Morehead State University.