The pride of Kings County was on display Friday evening as folks gathered to salute our dairy industry. And if there's one thing you can say about dairy folks, it's that they're strong, they believe in family, and they believe in God.

Over a span of nearly three hours, the Hanford Civic Auditorium was filled with laughter, applause and a kinship that is rare in today's ailing economy. There were handshakes as neighbors greeted neighbors, commiserated about the tough times, yet smiled with a mutual determination to weather the storm.

Tables were decorated by local and area sponsors with shirts, caps and even quarts of oil; the food was tasty and plentiful. But what was most heart-warming was the evidence that the family that farms together, stays together.

A couple at my table run a dairy in Laton, and are raising four children. They will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary next week. He wore a cowboy hat and was sunburned. She had been moving heifers all day, and had washed off the dirt of the day just an hour before. A dab of moisturizer, a clean dress and this former city girl was ready to go.

A highlight of the evening, after the presentation of the Distinguished Dairy Couple and Dairy Family of the Year to standing ovations, was the crowning of the 2009-2010 Dairy Princess.

Four exceptional young ladies, accompanied by their parents, walked through the crowd to the stage, where they talked about their love of the industry in which they had been raised.

Kelli Ballin said she hoped to be a large-animal vet, and continue to advocate for agriculture. Brooke Silva, who wants to study sign language and work as an interpreter in the court system, signed "milk is great" for an appreciative audience.

Kaci Raven, who eventually took home the crown, said she wanted to be a positive role model for young people. And Timerie Verhoeven, an aspiring second-grade teacher, called her mom her best friend, who's always been there for her.

But it wasn't just their parents who were in attendance; there were siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.

At one point in the evening, one speaker called dairy families the "backbone of the state of California." Another said he believed the dairy industry is "worth the fight."

Yet another said it's about "wives working side by side with their husbands, and sharing their dreams."

I salute these hard-working families, who impressed me with their determination, love and perseverance. And you can be sure that next time I drink a glass of milk, or eat a scoop of ice cream, I will smile and say a silent "thank you."

(June 28, 2009)