By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON – St. Lawrence County legislators celebrated dairy farmers Monday by honoring the county’s Dairy Princess and court at their meeting.

The 54th St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess, Maureen Pierce of Heuvelton, spoke on the importance of supporting the dairy industry. She said St. Lawrence County farmers are struggling to stay solvent.

“Most farms need a second income just to make ends meet,” she said.

Pierce told the legislators that interest in milk and dairy products has been falling as less healthy alternatives become more popular. She said better education regarding the benefits of dairy products are needed.

Speakers at the meeting told the legislators that the dairy princess program, 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America need to continue to receive support to ensure the future of farming in St. Lawrence County.

According to the presenters, St. Lawrence County is home to more cows than any other county in the state. Citing census data a speaker from Cornell University told the legislator that 785 St. Lawrence County residents listed farming as their primary profession on their taxes. An additional 518 listed farming as a part-time source of income.

To highlight the event and show appreciation for the Dairy Princess and court, legislators proclaimed June as Dairy Month.

Those celebrated at the meeting were Dairy Princess Maureen Pierce, Heuvelton; Alternate Dairy Princess Chloe Renaud, Gourverneur; Dairy Ambassadors Kaylin Gotham, Herman, Leeann Gotham, Hermon, Kaitlyn Putman, Lisbon; Micheal Pierce, Heuvelton; and Sara Rodee, Canton; and Dairy Promoters Abigail Smith, Colton and Myrah Bullock, Edwards.