California Ag Network

Tag: CMAB

  • CA Dairy Districts Seek Ambassadors to Serve as 2021 Dairy Princesses

    Each year, a special group of young women are selected to represent the state’s dairy farm families who contribute to making California number one for milk production in the U.S. These Dairy Princess ambassadors and alternates are selected during events at Districts throughout the state, where they showcase speaking skills, knowledge of dairy and desire to represent the industry during the one-year term. The 2021 contests kick off in April and will run through June.

    California Dairy Princesses serve as industry advocates in their home district and throughout California, supporting the reputation of milk and dairy products through appearances at various events. Dairy Princesses and alternates participate in a mandatory orientation/training where they receive professional development coaching.

    The California Dairy Princess Program has been in effect since 1958. Currently eight districts hold local contests, which cover 48 counties in the state of California. The California Dairy Princess contest is supported by California dairy producers through the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB). Information and application forms can be accessed at https://www.californiadairypressroom.com/ca-dairy-princesses.  Additional questions can be directed to Tiffany Nielsen, California Dairy Princess Director, at dairyprincess@cmab.net.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer. It also produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. Real California dairy products can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies that the products are made exclusively with milk produced on California dairy farms by California dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/the California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy families and is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. With a mission to increase demand for products made with Real California Milk, the CMAB is celebrating 50 years of promoting California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • Veronique Lagrange Appointed Director Of California Dairy Innovation Center

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the marketing order representing California dairy producers, today announced the addition of Veronique Lagrange as the Director of the California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC). The CDIC was recently created to further product-oriented innovation and enhance productivity for the California dairy industry. Working closely with the CMAB and the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF), Lagrange will act as a liaison for researchers, educators, business development representatives, and processors interested in innovation efforts.

    Most recently Lagrange held the position of Director of Business Development for the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI), where she also chaired the Center of Excellence; as well as several industry taskforces. She also spearheaded The Strong Inside campaign, and served as a subject matter expert for business strategies, nutrition and scientific matters; in addition to the organizer of technical programs and conferences.

    Lagrange previously held roles at the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC), which included Senior Vice President of Business Development, Strategies and Insights, and Director of International Marketing. Furthermore, she has conducted food technology programs for the California Raisin Advisory Board, Almond Board of California, and National Honey Board.

    “Veronique will be a tremendous asset to California dairy innovation, as she brings a breadth of experience and skills to our team”, said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “At both ADPI and USDEC, Veronique has had valuable experience with the research and development of dairy products and ingredients. She is extremely knowledgeable of their applications and functionality in manufacturing, as well as their vital role in the export business, which is very important to us.”

    “It is truly an honor to have this opportunity for leadership of this unique program, which will be guided by the goals and priorities established by a cross-industry committee. I look forward to being an active partner and advocate within the dairy community to promote innovation and also to support the development of the workforce which will, in turn, ensure the global competitiveness of the California dairy industry in the future,” said Lagrange.

    CDRF is pleased to welcome Veronique as the new director of the CDIC,” said Denise Mullinax, Executive Director of CDRF. “We look forward to collaborating with her in the expansion of research in the areas of innovation and development on behalf of the California dairy industry.”

    Lagrange received her BS and MS degrees in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She also holds a degree in Nutrition from Ecole de Medecine, Paris, France, and a Doctorate degree in Engineering Management from George Washington University, Washington D.C. In addition to these accolades, Lagrange completed the Executive Program on Managing Technical Professionals and Organizations at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, as well as the Digital Marketing Program at the Yale University School of Management.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer. It also produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/the California Milk Advisory Board
    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy families and is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. With a mission to increase demand for products made with Real California Milk, the CMAB is celebrating 50 years promoting California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

    About the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF)
    CDRF is an independent nonprofit public benefit foundation whose mission is to lead and deliver the best research and science-based programs to support an innovative and sustainable California dairy industry. For more information about CDRF and the research it supports, visit cdrf.org.

  • Four Dairy Snack Startups Compete For $200,000 In Real California Milk Snackcelerator Competition Finals

    Two Savory, Two Sweet Competitors Preparation for Final Showdown to Make it to Market

    Tracy, Calif. – November 12, 2020 – Ice cream infused with vegetables, to-go premium cheese snacks, decadent chocolate mousse and flavored paneer make up the finalists announced today in the Real California Milk Snackcelerator product innovation competition created by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) and VentureFuel. This is the second event of its kind by the California dairy industry designed to inspire ideas integrating the values of fluid milk and dairy ingredients into snacks to meet growing consumer demand and providing resources to help bring them to market.

    Finalists include:

    • Peekaboo Ice Cream: The first and only organic ice cream with the added nutritional benefits of vegetables.
    • Yummy Industries: Cheese Bits: A line of all-natural, fresh and wood-smoked scamorza and chechil cheeses, conveniently shaped and packaged for on-the-go snacking.
    • Petit Pot: An indulgent single-serve chocolate mousse dessert, perfect for family snacking, made with the best organic, local ingredients from the first brand to bring traditional French desserts to American grocery stores.
    • Sāch Foods Flavored Paneer: The world’s first flavored and artisanal paneer in a snackable form. Rooted in Indian cuisine paneer is a time-tested, nutrient-rich food and a high-protein favorite for millions around the world.

    These four innovators were selected from a field of 16 sweet and savory semi-finalist competitors during a two-day virtual pitch event judged by a group of snack experts from Conagra, SnackRiot, Hershey’s, Bristol Farms, General Mills, Unilever, Mondelez, Rosa Brothers, RangeMe, Acreage Holdings, Better Food Ventures and Trail Mix Ventures. A virtual fan vote, through Perksy, which provides market research for the mobile generation, also was factored into the final decision.

    Peekaboo, Yummy Industries, Petit Pot and Sāch Foods will move on to the final, live event November 19th hosted by OS Studios at https://snackcelerator.splashthat.com where they will compete for $200,000 in support to bring their visions to market with a runner up receiving $100,000 towards the same goal. Each founder will be presenting to a field of judges from the CPG, retail, venture capital and food science world representing such companies as Clorox, Mondelez, Whole Foods, CircleUp and more.

    “This field of finalists represent the innovation we’re seeing in better-for-you snacking today – highly flavorful, portable options with added benefits. And consumers agree. Through the Persky platform, 2000 consumers were introduced to these products during the semi-finals and voted on which they would be most interested in buying. Those scores were factored into the final judging and will be included on the 19th,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “Any of these four products will make a perfect partner for our real milk and dairy ingredients, which offer incredible functionality plus flavor and a host of naturally occurring nutrients. And, as the leading dairy state, our family dairy farms can provide a consistent, sustainable source of milk to fuel production of whichever product ultimately wins.”

    The sixteen semi-finalists received $10,000 worth of support each, to develop an edible prototype, while receiving a suite of resources including graphic design, lab or kitchen time and elite mentorship from global marketing, packaging, and distribution experts from companies including Diageo, Nestle, Mondelez, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream, Bristol Farms, Rosa Brothers, Food Network/Hearst Magazines, Pod Foods, Latitude Ventures, The Marketing Greenhouse, The Creative Pack, Whole Brain Consulting and Power Brands. The total value of competition prizing is over $800,000.

    “It’s impossible not to be inspired by the creative new thinking that the semi-finalists brought to dairy snacking,” said Fred Schonenberg, CEO and Founder of VentureFuel. “The overall excitement created by the competition with consumers, retailers, investors and dairy farmers has a tremendous halo effect for the industry, not to mention the potential scalability of these fantastic four finalists and what they can do for dairy demand.”

    “Being selected as a finalist by industry experts is incredibly validating. As consumers seek both health and indulgence, Peekaboo fills a white space and I am humbled that the judges recognized Peekaboo’s potential to disrupt the ice cream category,” said Jessica Weiss Levison, Peekaboo Founder and CEO. “And…they loved the flavors. As one of the judges noted, ‘Taste is King!’ and we agree!”

    Yummy Industries Co-Founder, Stefan Choy agrees, “We are confident in our product but being recognized by leading experts in the field further confirms that we are on the right track,” he said. “While we look forward to the final competition, we already consider ourselves and the other finalists to be winners because we have established great relationships in the industry and received a lot of support from mentors, sponsors and organizers, which is invaluable for a startup.”

    “Petit Pot is so grateful for the RCM Snackcelerator,” said company founder Maxime Pouvrea. “The semi-finalist process really helped improve our offering and finalize the formula to take this item closer to commercialization. We couldn’t be more excited to move to the finals.”

    “This is an incredible initiative by CMAB, it gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to take their innovative products/companies to another level,” said Tarush Agarwal, Co-Founder of Sāch Foods. “As a California-based artisanal Paneer cheese company, we’re grateful for the entrepreneurial spirit that prevails with our community. We look forward to the next stage of the competition and showing our creativity to the world.”

    Beyond showcasing product innovation, VentureFuel and CMAB tapped into future technologies and emerging startups like OS Studios, Perksy and more to transform what was an in-person sampling experience into a state-of-the-art virtual event. As part of the mentorship program VentureFuel introduced several tech startups to the process. “We help some of the largest companies in the world partner with startups and new technologies to drive growth and competitive advantage,” said VentureFuel Founder Fred Schonenberg. “While our primary focus with the Snackcelerator was to find the best dairy snack product innovations, once that was accomplished, it made tremendous sense to leverage these other tech startups we are excited about to help everyone communicate better and deliver the best virtual experience possible.”

    California, known for innovation, has a reputation for quality dairy products. As the number one producer of fluid milk in the nation, California also leads the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. More than 1,200 family dairy farms produce the California milk found in fluid milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products identified by the Real California Milk seal.

  • Milk Advisory Board Introduces “Day Can Wait” Creative Focused on Dairy for Breakfast

    The contrast between the pull of distractions that start in the early mornings with the satisfying and calming elements of enjoying California dairy for breakfast are brought to life in two new creative explorations in the California Milk Advisory Board’s (CMAB) Enter the Golden State campaign debuting this week. The :30 Day Can Wait segments – titled Video Conference and Emails – focus on the importance of taking a moment with family for breakfast, with California dairy, before the hustle, bustle (and technology) of the day begins.

    Produced by Deutsch LA, the spots graphically showcase the digital distractions that often start in the early mornings, from email notifications to ringing phones and video calls, compared with the satisfying and calming elements of enjoying California dairy for breakfast.
     
    “Despite breakfast being the most important meal of the day, it often gets lost in the rush of morning and all of our pending commitments. With more people working remotely, recent findings showcase that breakfast is back. With dairy at the heart of many breakfast items, Real California Milk continues to help families make mornings mean more with California milk and dairy foods,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB.
     
    The ads, which debuted this week on digital and social, will roll out on regional television in November.  They are part of an overall focus on the value of California dairy at breakfast that kicked off during June Dairy Month with the #MorningsMeanMore social media campaign where family and lifestyle influencers posted content showcasing the positive aspects of stay-at-home orders, including time in the mornings to spend breakfast together. 
    During August and September, a back-to-school “Mornings Mean More” retail flashpoint was conducted with fluid milk in the spotlight. The California promotion included digital and in-store value offers, elevated product placement and promotion on key e-commerce and retailer websites, and targeted email communication for shoppers at Walmart, Smart & Final, Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Foods co. A “Holiday Mornings Mean More” retail flashpoint and social campaign in November/December will bring the message home with families celebrating time together and special family recipes at breakfast.
    California is the nation’s leading milk producer. It also produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.
    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board
    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • CA Milk Advisory Board Launches California Dairy Innovation Center

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the marketing order representing California dairy producers, today announced the development of the California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC), a collaborative effort to further product-oriented innovation and enhance productivity for California dairy. The CDIC will feed dairy innovation efforts for the number one dairy state with collaborations between California dairy producers, processors, and universities.

    “The ‘center’ is not a physical building or organization, but rather a cooperative effort to leverage the tremendous brain trust of our California colleges and universities as well as the California dairy industry as a whole to support our mutual goals,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB.

    The CMAB is currently in the recruitment process for a CDIC Director who will unite industry professionals to meet innovation goals, while providing vital leadership for the California dairy industry. The Director role will also include coordinating pre-competitive research projects, as well as educational trainings to meet these goals. The Director will be a point of contact for researchers, educators, and business development representatives, as well as for processors interested in innovation efforts. This position will also serve as an advocate for the dairy community by promoting innovation, product development, and workforce support; in addition to implementing competitive advantages for the dairy industry.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer. It also produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with sustainably produced milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • Top Pizza Chefs Showcase Innovative Recipes Using Real CA Cheese

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) today announced finalists in the 2020 Real California Pizza Contest (RCPC) – a search for the best recipes using Real California Cheese. The contest, in its second year, will award prize money totaling $30,000 for the most innovative use of cow’s milk cheeses from California in three categories.

    Professional chefs and culinary students from 24 states submitted recipes between May 22 and July 17, 2020. Entries were blind-evaluated by a panel of three pizza professionals – Glenn Cybulski, certified pizzaiolo and award-winning executive chef; Thomas Garnick, founder of Brava! Pizzeria and 2019 RCPC Grand Prize Winner; and Mark Todd, culinary expert and foodservice/retail cheese educator.

    This year’s contest features the best pizza recipes from the United States and Mexico with the winner of the “Campeonato Mexicano de la Pizza”, sponsored by the CMAB in late 2019, earning a guaranteed spot as a finalist in the bakeoff. The international expansion of the contest displays the broad appeal and application of California dairy at foodservice outside of the United States.

    After careful evaluation of pizza names, inspiration, recipe and use of ingredients, eleven individuals have been selected as finalists in three respective categories: Cal-Mex, The REAL California, and Plant-Forward.

    “Pizza has global appeal and offers a blank canvas for expression. We are inspired by the creativity and innovation that went into these recipes, which represent a spectrum of ingredients and flavor combinations all brought together with California cheese” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB.  “We are also thrilled that we have such a diverse breadth of geographic representation in the finalist group and are looking forward to seeing them in action.”

    The virtual bakeoff takes place on October 10, 2020, at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa, Calif., where pizzas will be prepared and baked onsite for a blind evaluation by judges. Category winners will receive $5,000 and the Grand Prize Winner, selected from all category winners, will receive an additional $10,000. All remaining finalists will receive $500 each.

    Following are the finalists in the 2020 Real California Pizza Contest:

    Cal-Mex

    • Linda Ortega, a professional chef from Watsonville, Calif., is the owner of Fired Up Fresh. Her entry, Al Pastor, is a tribute to her husband’s Mexican heritage and features fresh Cotija alongside marinated pork adobo and California Chili Sauce.
    • Jordan Lawson, is a professional chef from Bellingham, Wash., where he works at La Fiamma Wood-Fire Pizza. His entry, Chile Relleno Pizza, utilizes rich Queso Quesadilla and Crema Mexicana to tastefully balance green tomatillo salsa and roasted poblanos.
    • Buffy Wimmer, a professional chef from McKinney, Texas, is the owner of Jersey Pies. Her entry, Pizza Taco de Callejero, is a street taco-inspired pizza highlighted by the delicious combination of four Hispanic-style California cheeses paired with carne asada and zesty mango salsa. Buffy competed in the 2019 RCPC finals.
    • Lars Smith, a professional chef from Palo Alto, Calif., is the owner of State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria. His entry, Elotero, combines Queso Oaxaca and Cotija with tender guajillo braised pork shoulder and corn Requeson to honor those who make and sell Mexican street corn. Lars was also selected as a finalist in the Plant-Forward category. He was a 2019 RCPC finalist as well.

    The REAL California

    • Efren Ríos, a professional chef from Mexico City, works at Bottega Napule. His entry, Bronte, provides an original interpretation of California cuisine through fresh yellow tomatoes, eggplant, pistachios, and basil on top of rich California Provolone.
    • Justin Wadstein, a professional chef from Santa Cruz, Calif., is the owner of Sleight of Hand Pizza. His entry,Cali Crab, blends two California favorites – Dungeness crab and pesto – with fresh Mozzarella and Triple Crème.
    • Phillip Ma, a professional chef from San Francisco, Calif, is the owner of Dough. His entry, Szechuan Pizza, incorporates his Chinese heritage into a delicious interpretation of a California fusion pizza highlighted by fresh Mozzarella and Szechuan Chili.
    • Ricky Webster, is a professional chef from Spokane, Wash. who works at SYSCO Spokane. His entry, The Wharf, combines a sourdough crust and fresh clams with rich crème fraîche and Mozzarella for a delicious ode to San Francisco’s landmark Fisherman’s Wharf. Ricky was another 2019 RCPC finalist.

    Plant-Forward

    • Domenica Catelli, a professional chef from Geyserville, Calif., is the owner of Catelli’s. Her entry, The New “Old School”, pairs cauliflower crust and plant-based sausage with fresh Burrata and Smoked Mozzarella for an inventive twist on a classic recipe.
    • Anisha Blodgett, a professional chef from San Diego, Calif., is the owner of Powerhaus Wholesome Pizza & Eats. Her entry, Roasted Mushrooms Pizza on High-Protein Whole-Grain Crust, features fresh mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and arugula on top of delicious Mozzarella and creamy Ricotta.
    • Joe Mialki, a professional chef from Port Orange, Florida, is the co-owner of Giuseppe’s Steel City Pizza. His entry, The Shelly, tastefully incorporates spinach, mushrooms, and mini tomatoes alongside a pistachio pesto sauce and fresh Mozzarella.
    • Lars Smith, a professional chef from Palo Alto, Calif., is the owner of State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria. His entry, Fire on the Mountain, relies on Queso Oaxaca and rich Mexican Crema to form a rich foundation for plant-based chorizo, Fresno peppers, and roasted cauliflower. Lars was also selected as a finalist in the Cal-Mex category.

    About Real California Milk/the California Milk Advisory Board
    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy families and is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. With a mission to increase demand for products made with Real California Milk, the CMAB is celebrating 50 years in 2019 of promoting California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with 100 percent milk from California’s more than 1,200 family dairy farms.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, please contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK), businessdevelopment@cmab.net or RealCaliforniaMilk.com/Foodservice.

  • CA DAIRY INDUSTRY UNITES TO TEACH AG LITERACY TO SUPPORT DISTANCE LEARNING

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has partnered with Dairy Council of California to teach ag literacy in an exciting and innovative way that brings the farm experience to students as they learn from home. The Farm to You Virtual Field Trip connects the successful Dairy Council of California Mobile Dairy Classroom assembly experience with a virtual trip to a California dairy farm, providing students with daily online lessons available now through June 5th. Educators, students and their families can find more information and sign-up for a session at HealthyEating.org/Virtual-Field-Trip.

    Free to participants, the Farm to You Virtual Field Trip consists of a 45-minute Mobile Dairy Classroom lesson and “live” visit to a California dairy farm. Aimed at increasing ag literacy, the sessions teach attendees the importance of healthy eating patterns as well as where their food comes from, including a tour to teach them how a dairy farm operates, how milk and dairy products are produced, and the nutritional value of these products. Two sessions are held each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, from Tuesday through Friday and feature a rotating team of five farmers from Sonoma to Tulare counties.

    “Farm to You is a tremendous way for children to learn about the science of agriculture while also learning where their food comes from directly from the farmers,” said Jennifer Giambroni, Director of Communications at the CMAB. “For our farming community, this is a tremendous opportunity to connect directly with consumers across the state.”

    “We are proud to help educate students, families and the entire school community the importance of ag literacy and provide them with an experiential connection to where their food comes from,” said Shannan Young, Director of Food Access at Dairy Council of California. “We can encourage healthier students, families and communities by teaching them more about our food system, how to eat healthfully, and the important role of milk and dairy foods for growth and development as part of daily healthy eating patterns.”

    California is the number one dairy state and has a 200-year heritage of multi-generational dairy farming. The state’s 1200 dairy farm families lead the nation in sustainable farming practices.

    About Real California Milk/the California Milk Advisory Board
    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy families and is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. With a mission to increase demand for products made with Real California Milk, the CMAB is celebrating 50 years promoting California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.


    About Dairy Council of California
    For over 100 years, Dairy Council of California has empowered stakeholders, including educators, health professionals and community leaders, to elevate the health of children and families through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits. Funded by California’s dairy farm families and local milk processors and under the guidance of California Department of Food and Agriculture, Dairy Council of California’s free science-based nutrition education resources, Mobile Dairy Classroom assemblies, training programs and online resources educate millions of students and families in California and throughout the United States. Learn more at HealthyEating.org.

  • California Milk Advisory Board’s Elects 2020 Executive Committee

    The California Milk Advisory Board is proud to share its newly elected 2020 Executive Committee officers including: Vice Chairman Tony Louters of Merced, Chairman Josh Zonneveld of Laton, Treasurer David Vander Schaaf of Stockton, Member-at-Large Essie Bootsma of Lakeview, Secretary Megan Silva of Escalon, Member-at-Large Kirsten Areias of Los Banos, and Member-at-Large Renae DeJager of Chowchilla.

    David Vander Schaaf

    David Vander Schaaf is a fourth-generation dairy farmer at Vander Schaaf Dairy, which was established in 1929. David joined the family business in partnership with brothers Joey and James, as well as father John Vander Schaaf in 2013. He is a member of the Milk Producers Council.

    Kirsten Areias

    Kirsten Areias has been a dairy producer since 1980 and currently milks 320 Holsteins with husband Dennis at the 360-acre Den-K Holsteins, Inc. She is a member of a variety of industry groups, including Western United Dairies, serves as an advisor for the California Holstein Association and Merced County Junior Holstein Association, and is a Dairy Bowl Coach.

    Renae DeJager

    Renae DeJager and husband Art are owners of 1500-acre Vista Verde Dairy, which was established in 1977 and where they currently milk 3,200 Holsteins. She is an active member of her community and serves a variety of community groups including California Women for AG, Stone Ridge Christian School Board and Cornerstone Community Church in Chowchilla. She previously served on the board for the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board where she traveled extensively to promote dairy in domestic and international markets.

    Essie Bootsma

    Essie Bootsma milks 2,000 Holsteins with her son Jason at the John Bootsma Dairy that she started with her husband, John, in 1979. She is a member of a variety of community groups, including the Western Riverside Ag Coalition, where she serves as secretary, the Eastern Municipal Water District Advisory Committee and the Eastern Municipal Dairy Water Supply, where she serves as chair. She previously served as Secretary to the CMAB’s Executive Committee. In her free time, Essie enjoys representing CMAB in promotional trade shows, spending time with her five grandchildren and cooking for and entertaining family and friends.

    Josh Zonneveld

    Josh Zonneveld and his wife Cassie along with other family members currently milk 8,500 Holsteins at the 7,000-acre Zonneveld Dairies that his grandfather founded in 1968. He joined the family business in 2005. He is a member of the Ag Executive Council for Land O’ Lakes and also serves on the board for the California Dairy Research Foundation.

    Megan Silva

    Megan Silva graduated from Cal Poly in 2006 and is a 4th generation dairy farmer. Megan and husband Johnny Silva, along with her father Frank Rocha, currently milk 2100 Holsteins at the 900-acre Frank N. Rocha Dairy L.P., where she has worked since 2006. Megan and Johnny started their own dairy, R & S Dairy LLC. in May of last year. She is also extremely passionate about the fitness and wellness industries, and shares these passions through her two businesses in Escalon; EscalonFIT and Wellness by EscalonFIT.

    Tony Louters

    Tony Louters and his wife Corinna own T & C Louters Dairy in Merced where they currently milk 600 Holsteins. They have been in business since 2003 and have four children: Alexis, Bryce, Tyler and Breann. Tony is a member of Western United Dairies.

  • Dairy Students Selected for California Milk Advisory Board Internship Program

    Fourth generation dairy producer Tony Lopes of Gustine and third generation producer Jeremiah Tiemersma of Visalia have been selected to serve as international interns in a new program from the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the promotional arm of the state’s dairy farmers.

    The interns, selected from students enrolled in agriculture-related programs at colleges and universities throughout the state, were chosen based on academic achievement, their connection to the industry and a willingness to travel abroad and learn more about international dairy sales and marketing as well as a plan to work in the California dairy industry in the future.

    Over the six-week period, each intern will spend time with in-country CMAB marketing organizations – Lopes in South Korea and Tiemersma in China – to gain a better understanding of these markets, consumer buying habits and promotional efforts on behalf of California’s dairy industry.

    “California currently accounts for around 33 percent of all U.S. dairy exports so international trade is essential for our continued growth. Over the last decade, the CMAB has worked closely with partners in Asia and Mexico to develop markets for California dairy products. This program is focused on providing insight into international dairy marketing for future leaders like Tony and Jeremiah who will work in the dairy business and one day serve on dairy industry boards and lead industry groups,” said Glenn Millar, Director of International Business Development for the CMAB.

    Tony Lopes

    Lopes, 22, recently received a B.S. in Dairy Science from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo where he served on the board of Associated Students, as president of the Los Lecheros Dairy Club and as a Cal Poly Agriculture Ambassador. He also served in leadership positions with the California FFA Association and California Junior Holstein Association. Upon completion of the internship program, he will rejoin the family dairy operation as Operations Team Leader and Manager of Strategic Development.

    Tiemersma, also 22, received a B.S. in Agricultural Business from California State University, Fresno and is working on a master’s in International Agriculture. He served as an Agriculture Ambassador at CSU, Fresno’s Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology and in a leadership position with the Agricultural Business Club. When he returns from the internships program, he plans to complete his masters’ studies and pursue a career in the import and exporting of agricultural products.

    Jeremiah Tiemersma

    The CMAB International Internship program’s goal is to provide young agriculture/dairy college students an opportunity to learn about dairy foods and marketing in the international marketplace with a focus on developing leaders who will serve on dairy industry boards, work in dairy foods processing or sales/marketing. The internship is open to college students who are enrolled in a California college or university agriculture/dairy program and have strong ties to the California dairy industry, a willingness to travel abroad and learn about the international dairy industry.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer. It also produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. Dairy products made with Real California milk can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with milk produced on California dairy farms.

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    About the California Milk Advisory Board
    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s more than 1300 dairy families and is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. With a mission to increase demand for products made with Real California Milk, the CMAB promotes California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visitRealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • “California Dairy Stories” videos further connect consumers with family farmers behind the Real California Milk Seal

    Tracy, Calif., (August 25, 2017) – Family, hard work and responsibility are all key themes that come through in “California Dairy Stories”, a new social media series launched today by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB). The series, which captures short day-in-the-life moments from real California dairy families, was created to continue to connect consumers with the real people behind the Real California Milk seal.

    Like life, it’s not all work and no play for the 1300 dairy families who farm in California. From tractor pulls to stroopwafels, the series of 12 short videos tell very personal stories of the families who farm in California and look to pass this tradition to the next generation.

    Each moment demonstrates the variety of the dairy industry in California, which spans the state and is responsible for over 40 billion pounds of milk each year. For Tony Louters of Merced, who stepped away from a planned career as a CPA, going into farming means being able to spend time with his family, including daughter Alexis who is applying the values of hard work she learned on the farm to her studies as a speech therapist. Fourth-generation producer, Megan Silva, uses her early morning run to help prepare for the challenges of three business, 12 barns and three kids. And David Jones uses his lens as an amateur photographer to tell the story of California agriculture.

    “Real California Milk is about real food from real people. These short slices of California dairy life not only help consumers connect with the California dairy families who put the food on their tables but also create a better understanding of how we share the same values and experiences,” said Michael Freeman, VP of advertising for CMAB. “We pass on family traditions, we squeeze fitness into our busy lives and our kids often aspire to go into the family business. For farm families, though, that family business is nourishing the world.”

    The multigenerational story of family dairy farming in California is evident in each video vignette. From sharing traditional recipes to teaching the tools to become successful in farming, what comes through is the love of family, love of community and the gratitude for being in an industry that allows them to share the fruits of their labor with the world while continuously working to preserve the tradition of farming for the next generation.

    As B. Van Beek of Dairyland Farms in Tipton, Calif. says, “We don’t inherit the land from our parents, we borrow it from our grandkids.”

    “California Dairy Stories” joins the “Growing Up Dairy” social media series that debuted last year and depicts dairy kids sharing the love they have for raising livestock and helping on the farm. All videos can be viewed at RealCaliforniaMilk.com or on YouTube @realcaliforniamilk. They will be shared out through the Real California Milk Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels.

    Dairy products made with California milk can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with milk produced on California dairy
    farms. California produces more fluid milk, butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt.

    Courtesy – California Milk Advisory Board