My home state of Wisconsin is having a moment. Actually a few. And not the best of times, or headlines, so far this year.

Sadly, tragically, the COVID-19 virus global pandemic has hit us hard, from local communities and rural areas, to the Madison and Milwaukee metros. Two virus-related vectors also made the news:

• Stories and photos depicted the determination and divisions of in-person voting for the Wisconsin Primary Election on Tuesday, April 7. The debate on coronavirus consequences continues.
• In a suit brought by Wisconsin legislators, the state Supreme Court tossed aside the governor’s Safer at Home policy and planned phases to reopen business and industry. Soon after the ruling, some watering holes were shoulder-to-shoulder packed, no PPE in sight.

The perception-shaping power of communications and content also was on display in April when reports of dairy farmers dumping milk hit the nightly news and social channels. To questions of “Why?” And “How?” the answer was simple economics: demand had dried up. Milk’s big consumers—among them the National School Lunch Program—were shuttered for the moment, or longer. Yet, while milk demand was, well, damned up, dairy cows and could not stop the flow.

Yet now, even with the clear, present and continued coronavirus danger, and the need to abide by rationale guidance and practices (social distancing, mask wearing, and more) there will soon be a day of delight in Dairyland—that’s Wisconsin—and beyond its borders. National Cheese Day, an unofficial holiday, no doubt will prompt cheers far and wide on Thursday, June 4, this year. The communications and content engines are already churning, celebrating the impact and importance of cheese in Wisconsin and across the nation.

Consider these not-so cheesy stats:

• While the European Union produces the most cheese; the United States ranks #2 in production globally.
• If Wisconsin were an independent nation, it would rank fourth in global production, behind the U.S., Germany and France.
• Americans consume about 34 pounds of cheese per person/year, while the French consume 60 pounds person/year and the Germans come in at 53 pounds person/year.
• 90% of Wisconsin milk is made into cheese.
• Wisconsin boasts 1,200 licensed cheesemakers and is the only state to regulate cheese-making licenses.

And if that data doesn’t do it for you, here’s a persuasive point of information: the May “O” Magazine (a 20th anniversary issue) urges us all to “Eat and Be Dairy.” The issue features staff pics noting, “O runs on cheese….”

So, whether you choose to mark National Cheese Day in a modest way, say grilled cheese sandwiches accompanied by tomato soup, or go all-in, from fondue, to melting bleu on sizzling steaks, to berry-topped New York Style cheesecake, one thing is certain in these uncertain times: cheese is here, to unite us, to be savored and to be celebrated!

#CommunicationsContentConnections and #NationalCheeseDay #Cheese