Purchase Tickets by May 1 to Receive a $10 Early-Bird Discount on Each Ticket
To celebrate June Dairy Month and support dairy education programs, the Dairy Excellence Foundation is hosting its annual farm-to-fork celebration, “A Toast to Dairy,” on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 6-9 p.m. at Melhorn Manor in Mount Joy, Pa. The event includes meal stations sourced with Pennsylvania Preferred ingredients, an interactive chocolate and cheese tasting experience with artisan cheeses from the PA Cheese Guild, locally crafted wines, brews and spirits, networking opportunities, and more. The early-bird special will run until May 1. Individuals will receive a discount of $10 off each ticket if they purchase tickets by May 1. Discounted rates are also available for groups that purchase eight or more tickets. Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/toasttodairy to purchase tickets or call 717-346-0849.
“Last year, more than 375 people joined us at A Toast to Dairy to celebrate Pennsylvania dairy and enjoy an evening out while learning about programs that directly support students who are pursuing careers in dairy,” said Emily Barge, Communications and Marketing Manager at the Dairy Excellence Foundation. “We hope you’ll join us this June for a night to remember with locally sourced food and drink while hearing some fantastic stories and meeting individuals across the dairy community.”
This year’s event will feature:
- Farm-to-fork food stations – Thanks to local businesses and food donors, attendees will enjoy a variety of dinner options sourced with local, PA Preferred ingredients. The Pennsylvania Cheese Guild will also have a spread of artisan cheeses to enjoy from cheesemakers across the state.
- Wine and brew tasting experience – Attendees will receive a guided tasting passport to sample wine, beer and spirits from local businesses, including Troegs Independent Brewing, Grandview Vineyard, Distillery 51, Lindgren Craft Brewery, and Stone Mountain Wine Cellars.
- Cheese and chocolate tasting sessions – Led by the Pennsylvania Cheese Guild, see how your favorite PA cheeses pair with unique chocolate items such as dark chocolate bites, chocolate-covered strawberries, spreadable chocolate, and more. Tasting sessions will be happening multiple times throughout the evening.
- Dessert bar – A variety of desserts will be available, including ice cream tastings from three different PA creameries, pie and baked goods from Karns Quality Foods, cheesecake from the Pennsylvania Bakery, and cookies from Taylor Chip Cookies.
- Raffle baskets – Attendees can purchase raffle tickets and enter to win baskets donated by event sponsors.
- Caricature artists and photo booth – Attendees can enjoy a photo booth and also take home a personalized drawing from a live caricature artist during the event.
- Live music hour featuring Julia Brown
“Everything about this event was absolutely amazing! It was so well organized, so well put together, and the variety of food and drink was outstanding. The pairing session was so informative. I loved hearing about the history of each farm, cheese and food pairing, and the atmosphere was out of this world,” shared Jennifer Orr of Harmony Acres Dairy who attended the event last year.
All proceeds from the event will support the scholarships, curriculum, educational programs, and on-farm internships provided through the Dairy Excellence Foundation.Those who are unable to attend the event can still support the Foundation at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/donate.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Email Jayne Sebright at jsebright@centerfordairyexcellence.org or call 717-346-0849. Learn more at centerfordairyexcellence.org/toasttodairy.
Thank you to the following businesses who have already committed to sponsoring the 2025 event: Land O’ Lakes, Farm Credit, Dave and Janet Hileman Family Foundation, PA Preferred, Maola Local Dairies, Fulton Bank, 4Ward Ag, AMS Galaxy, Pennian Bank, Dairy Farmers of America, Perdue Animal Nutrition, Morrissey Insurance, Scotch Hill Solutions, Corteva Agriscience and Pioneer Seeds, Acuity Advisors and CPAs, Feedworks USA, Farmer Boy, Fisher & Thompson, Inc., KDR, Good Roots, Cornerstone HR and Management Consulting, Milky Haven Farms, Turner Dairy, Balsbaugh Insurance Agency, True Edge Performance Solutions, Cargill, Hostetter & Hostetter CPAs, Messick’s, Merck Animal Health, King Construction, ACNB Bank, DairyOne, New Holland Agriculture, G5 Agency, Weaver Associates, Inc., Colebrook Crossing, Agricultural Veterinary Associates, TeamAg Incorporated, and Peter Ressler.
Several dairy farms have also committed to sponsoring the event. Thank you to Meadow Spring Farm, Pleasant Lane Farms, Brubaker Farms, Evergreen Farms, Walmoore Holsteins, Jubilee Dairy LLC, Meadow Vista Dairy, Jobo Holsteins, Reinford Farms, S&A Kreider Farms, Apple Shamrock Dairy Farms, Dry Creek Farms, Rohrer Dairy Farms, Zugstead Farm, Meadow Wood Farms, Schrack Farms, and Stoner Hijos Farm.