Coley Jones Drinkwater spoke to the Farmville Lion’s Club on March 7. 

According to a press release, Drinkwater is a dairy farmer and “one of the people behind the wholesome dairy foods consumers enjoy.”

According to the release, Drinkwater’s family owns and operates Richlands Dairy Farm Inc. outside of Wilsons.

“They milk 250 cows twice a day, every day. On 400 owned and 400 rented acres, corn, rye grass, triticale, orchard grass and pumpkins also raised. To dairy farmers, the ultimate reward is knowing their actions help create a healthy, abundant and affordable food supply for this community.”

Because her family lives and works on the farm, Drinkwater takes seriously her responsibility to protect land, water and air, according to the release. “We are a family business vital to our community and the state’s economy. We know our future depends upon what we do today,” Drinkwater said.

“Dairy farms and milking facilities are also regularly checked by state and federal inspectors, and milk is tested routinely, making milk and dairy products among the most wholesome foods a consumer can buy,” officials said. “We take great pride in the milk we produce,” Drinkwater said. “Our life’s work is to provide the most nutritious and safe dairy products, while being good stewards of the land and the animals.”