Staff reports

Kaylin Osterhaus of Petersburg has been named the 2026 National Dairy Month chairman for Lincoln County.

Osterhaus was honored May 28 at the Tennessee National Dairy Month Kickoff event at Ed Jones Auditorium in Nashville. The official kickoff celebration recognizes Tennessee 4-H members’ efforts to promote National Dairy Month in Tennessee.

Co-sponsored by The Dairy Alliance, the American Dairy Association of Tennessee, 4-H and the Tennessee Farm Bureau, National Dairy Month activities are designed to communicate the value of milk and other dairy products to Tennessee consumers. Chairpersons play a vital role in spreading dairy’s message in their communities, officials said.

“I want to serve as June Dairy Month chairman to share my deep-rooted passion for agriculture and educate my community on the vital work dairy farmers do every day,” Osterhaus said.

Osterhaus, a student at Home Life Academy, is the daughter of Emily and John Osterhaus of Petersburg. She is active in 4-H, participating in dairy judging, livestock judging, Dairy Quiz Bowl, Livestock Quiz Bowl, FCS Skillathon, poultry judging, public speaking, project portfolio activities in leadership, Chopped Challenge and goat shows. Her accomplishments include being a Leadership Level 1 state winner, state Livestock Quiz Bowl champion and state FCS Skillathon winner, with national-level participation and recognition. Additionally, Osterhaus is involved with Longview Baptist Church outreach ministries and participates in the Bedford County Homeschool Club.

“We wish Kaylin much success in her role of communicating the nutritional benefits of milk and dairy products to the people in Lincoln County,” said American Dairy Association of Tennessee vice president Steve Lee. “Kaylin will appreciate the cooperation of the people there. Her interest and enthusiasm will result in a better-informed community from which all will benefit.”

Originally called “National Milk Month” by American grocers in 1937, National Dairy Month began to promote dairy consumption during peak milk production in the summer. Today, June’s National Dairy Month continues celebrating with the Southeast’s communities and companies through festivals, contests and even a special night dedicated to dairy farmers at the ballpark.

In 2025, there were an estimated 22,000 Tennessee dairy cows living on 110 dairy farms and producing 47.2 million gallons of milk. The top three milk-producing Tennessee counties were Loudon, McMinn and Monroe.

For more information, visit www.thedairyalliance.com.