Milk’s Got Game. . . Do You?
Moore serving as 2026 National Dairy Month Chairman for Warren County
For most kids, summer break means sleeping in. For Sawyer Moore, it means getting up and heading to the barn.
Before he ever started hiding prizes around Warren County, before he became the 2026 National Dairy Month Chairman for the area and before he began spreading the Dairy Alliance's message of "Milk's Got Game, Do You?", Moore was doing what he's done his whole life: taking care of cows on a family farm that has been operating for 100 years.
Now, the local hooper who plays with the Centertown Warriors and Warren County Elite is getting the chance to combine two things he loves most - dairy and sports.
Moore was selected as Chairman for Warren County and has already hit the ground running trying to educate people about the dairy industry while making it fun for everybody.
"Being June Dairy Month Chairman, I need to get out in the community and spread knowledge and education. I want to get more people involved in dairy and I thought the scavenger hunt could be a really good way to introduce people to it," said Sawyer.
As part of his efforts, Moore has started leaving treats and goodies behind, with the first being tied into the McMinnville tennis courts. Clues are released every Friday on the Warren County June Dairy Month Facebook page and through local media outlets, giving residents a chance to learn more about dairy while also winning prizes.
The theme for this year's celebration is "Milk's Got Game, Do You?" and it's a message that fits naturally for Moore.
After games, he'll often reach for whole milk or chocolate milk - his favorite - as a way to refuel. According to the Dairy Alliance, milk provides complete, high-quality protein to help build and repair muscles, contains natural electrolytes that aid hydration and is packed with nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and potassium.
Photo provided - Sawyer Moore got to meet with Gov. Bill Lee during National Dairy Month.
While Moore is spending June promoting dairy, it's far from a one-month commitment in his life. Dairy farming is part of his family's history.
Moore is growing up on a dairy farm that has been in the family for a century, and the work never really stops. Along with his duties as chairman, Sawyer has kept busy touring the state in recent weeks. He attended Gov. Bill Lee's America 250 Tour, participated in the 4-H Dairy Day Camp, went through a first practice with the dairy judging team and toured the MTSU dairy facilities.
Back home, though, the routine remains the same. Moore works daily with 13 cows, including Allie G, Clarabelle, Roses and Candy. And being a sweet one, Candy has become a favorite.
"Candy is probably the best and probably the favorite, but they'll probably get mad at me for it now," laughed Sawyer while working in the barn Monday morning. "I got her about a year or so ago."
The work is constant, whether it's a holiday, a show day or just another summer morning. Sawyer helps milk, water, clean pens, give baths and take the cows for walks. And those walks don't always go according to plan.
Roses, a cow weighing nearly 1,000 pounds, once decided while Moore was completing his morning tasks that she wanted to go at her pace. For Sawyer, it turned into a wild ride back to the barn.
"I gave her some space and she took the chance - if you give them a step, they'll take a mile. She got in front of me and she's so big, I really can't do anything, but my mindset is if they get away from me, I'm not letting go of the halter. She came back and I got drug across the gravel," said Sawyer.
Even with the occasional bumps and bruises, Moore wouldn't trade it. In fact, the daily work has helped make him one of the state's top young showmen.
Last October, Moore - a third-generation showman in his family, following in the footsteps of his father, Michael - put together a dominant performance at the Tennessee 4-H State Dairy Show.
Moore was named Junior Holstein Champion while also winning first-place honors in junior showmanship, Holstein Spring Heifer Calf, Holstein Winter Heifer Calf, Holstein Yearling Heifer and Holstein Spring Yearling Heifer. He also finished second in Holstein Fall Heifer Calf, junior Skillathon and junior premier exhibitor.
The success may make showing cattle look easy, but Moore knows the work starts long before anybody steps into a ring.
"It's not as easy as it looks, but it's a lot of fun and the turnout is amazing," said Moore.
The long hours and daily responsibilities are worth it because of the connection he has built with the animals over the years. And for somebody who spends nearly every day around them, the cows have become much more than livestock.
"As long as they aren't charging or throwing their head up in the air, then they're great," said Sawyer about the mostly perfect days. "They're almost like a family member at times. They're like siblings - they'll make you mad one second, then the next you're hugging on them."
Sawyer Moore and Allie G after the Tennessee 4-H show last year.
