California Ag Network

Tag: Western United Dairymen

  • WUD Sends Help to Those Impacted by Sonoma County

    Modesto, Calif., (October 17, 2017) – As you have no doubt heard, our neighbors in Sonoma County have been devastated by several fires that ignited in the wee hours of Monday. Yesterday was spent evacuating, praying and ensuring safety.

    Today, as we assess the damage I am relieved to report that our members are all safe. Some have sustained losses, many are tired and brow-beaten, but so far, safe and ok.

    I’m sure many of you, like myself, have felt helpless; In an effort to do something to help we’d like to organize a supply drive. Next Friday, October 20th we will have trucks available to haul donations back to Sonoma County (I’ve been in touch with a board member from the area, and he’ll tentatively be at the meeting, in addition to myself and fellow WUD staffers) I’ll be in contact with several shelters, but below is a preliminary list of needed items:

    • Bottled water
    • Bottled sports drinks
    • Non-perishable food, especially items that are snackable/don’t need to be cooked (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, cereal, etc)
    • Toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, feminine hygiene products, lotions, wet wipes)
    • Toothbrushes
    • Towels
    • Blankets
    • Aspirin/Tylenol, bandaids, Hand sanitizer, OTC cold medication,
    • Laundry soap
    • Diapers of all sizes
    • Baby supplies (pack n’ play, collapsible strollers, etc)
    • Baby food, formula
    • Children’s books, coloring books, supplies
    • New socks and underwear of all sizes
    • Pet food (canned and dry) + other pet supplies: bedding, leashes, crates, etc
    • Gift cards (target, Walmart, etc)

    A few things:
    Please drop off donations at the following locations:

    Tulare, Dirt Lot next to Heritage Complex –    Wednesday October 18th – 10am -11am

    Modesto, WUD OFFICE 1315 K St –            Friday October 20th – 9am-3pm

    • We would appreciate you restricting your drop-off to Friday only between 10am-2pm. If this does not work please send us a message and we’ll work on other arrangements.

    *Please, at this time, limit gently used clothing donations. We will be notifying you when those are helpful, but currently they can overwhelm shelters. At a point in the near future we will share ways you can get clothing to the shelters.

    Thank you for your generosity. Please continue to keep these folks in your thoughts and prayers.

  • Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) Dairy Producers Meetings

    Modesto, Calif., (October 10, 2017) – In addition to informational sessions conducted by California Dairies Inc. (CDI), Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and Land O’Lakes (LOL), a series of joint dairy producer meetings will be held throughout the state in the next few weeks. The presentations will be brief to allow ample time for questions you may have. This is a producer-only process and 51% of ballots must be returned for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to even consider referendum results. Therefore, producer organizations in the state want you to be aware of the importance of your vote.

    • October 16, Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, 1201 L Street, Modesto, 10am
    • November 6, Chino, Chino Fairgrounds, 5410 Edison Avenue, Chino, 10:30am
    • November 7, Tulare, Heritage Complex, 4450 S. Laspina Ave, Tulare, Conference Dining Room, 10am

    Agenda:

    • Statewide QIP Referendum: Description of the QIP and main features
    • Questions & Answers

    Note: The Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) was delivered to the post office for mailing on October 6. The ballot (which is on blue paper) is in a 9X13 white envelope with BALLOT ENCLOSED noted on the envelope. Included in the envelope is a cover letter with instructions, the QIP language, and a postage paid envelope to return the ballot. The close of the referendum is December 4, 2017.

    We believe that supporting the QIP is the only path forward to allow fair consideration for a FMMO in CA and are urging you to make an informed decision by attending one of the meetings referenced above prior to casting your vote.

    Contact information:
    California Dairy Campaign, Lynne McBride: lmcb44@comcast.net, 925-385-0217
    Milk Producers Council, Kevin Abernathy: kevin@milkproducers.org, 209-678-0666
    Western United Dairymen, Anja Raudabaugh: araudabaugh@westernuniteddairymen.com, 916-532-9974 California Dairies, Inc., Rob Vandenheuvel: RVandenheuvel@californiadairies.com, 559-679-5651
    Dairy Farmers of America, Francis Pacheco: fpacheco@dfamilk.com, 951-493-4942
    Land O’Lakes, Pete Garbani: PRGarbani@landolakes.com, 559-285-6357

  • CDFA Announces EXTENSION of Grant Application Deadline for the 2017 Alternative Manure Management Program

    Modesto, Calif., (October 4, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has extended the grant application deadline for the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), from October 2, 2017 to October 16, 2017 at 5 P.M. PDT.

    The AMMP is one of two programs designed by CDFA to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. The program will provide between nine and 16 million dollars in grants to California dairy and livestock operators to implement non-digester manure management practices that reduce their methane emissions.

    For detailed information on eligibility and program requirements, prospective applicants should visit the CDFA AMMP website at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ammp/. To streamline and expedite the application process, CDFA is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board, which hosts an online application tool, the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). All prospective applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov. Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Monday, October 16, 2017 at 5:00 P.M. PDT.

    Due to the very short timeline for submitting applications to this new grant program, Western United Dairymen worked with Dairy Cares to request this extension of the deadline. The concerns of our members were at the forefront and were heard. If you have questions regarding this grant program, call Paul Sousa at the WUD office.

    NOTE – THE AMMP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment-particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments.

  • 2018 WUD Grassroots Elections – Your Voice Matters!

    Modesto, Calif., (September 27, 2017) – Western United Dairymen (Western) is a grassroots advocacy organization –that only works when you lend your voice and raise your hand. We’re embarking on a new era of advocacy that starts with you –the member, and we’d love to have you join our strong team of volunteers and lend your voice to the largest issues affecting the dairy industry to date. Western needs all the input it can get on how to LEAD. Our Delegate body empowers the Board of Directors to make decisions on issues affecting price, policy and politics.

    As the largest dairy trade association, Western employs the very BEST and BRIGHTEST and TALENTED staff. But staff is just a tool in the box that needs critical direction. So that’s where you –the member, come in! There are 3 ways you can get your voice and message across:

    District Director: We have 6 director slots open for election in 2018, District 5 (Stanislaus County), District 6 (Merced County), District 8 (Tulare County), District 7 (Madera County), District 11 (Kern County), and District 12 ( San Bernardino/South to the Border). The role of Director is an exhaustive one – and comes with serious commitment to decision making on the Board of Western United Dairymen. The
    Board meets monthly, the 3rd Friday of every month. Although some sacrifice of your time is required, your role in securing the future of dairymen is invaluable. This role is a 3 year term.

    Delegate Body: Recently, the role of the Delegate in our organization has been elevated to the forefront of our policy decisions. This role is designed to strengthen the voice of the membership in each District but moreover –to direct the staff and Board at Western to act on critical issues affecting the membership. The Delegates typically meet 2 times per year, and then gather at Western’s annual meeting in March to cast votes on statewide issues brought forth by Delegates around the State, called resolutions. The Delegate role is voted in by the District, as is the Delegate Chair, who replaces the District Board members on the Board when necessary. This ensures continuity of representation for the State every time the Board meets. This role is a 2 year term and we have many openings available.

    Alternate Delegate: The role of Alternate is the same as the delegates, but they need only participate on an as needed basis to the Delegate districts. The role of Alternate is a 1 year term at present.

    2018 Election Schedule

    • 9/22/17 Friday Update Announces the Elections Process and Timetable
    • 9/22/17 All Nomination Forms will be mailed out to the Districts
    • 10/25/17 Nominations Due Back to the Office
    • 11/3/17 Ballots Mailed Out to Districts and added to member portal 12/15/17 Ballots Due Back to the Office
    • 1/5/18 Tally Committee Meets
    • 1/12/18 Results Announced in Friday Update 3/27/18 Convention/Delegate Meeting

    Any member of good standing can be nominated for any position. WUD will be sending out incumbent information next week. If you or anyone you know is interested in serving in any of these roles, please contact Katelyn Lewis, South State Field Rep. klewis@westernuniteddairymen.com or call the Western United Dairymen office (209) 527-6453

  • A Chance to Save Dairies in California Came – We Took It

    Modesto, Calif., (July 24, 2017) – The dairy industry has had a rough few decades. Although milk prices have always had a boom or bust cycle, the regulatory cost of production has really created challenges for all dairies in the state. Since 2005 over 650 dairies have shut their doors in California. In more recent years, the milk production numbers showed a year-over-year-over-year decline for 22 consecutive months. The end of 2016 briefly went positive and now we’re in decline again. The lack of certainty in the dairy business has generally been accepted on the pricing side, especially as we have become a much more global industry. But what’s really new as of the last 20 years, is the crazy uncertainty the State environmental regulations have caused to our businesses. Before it’s through, more dairies that are my neighbors will be closing their doors because they’re just tired of working so hard to get so little in return. This will have a massive impact on jobs and ancillary jobs in the Central Valley, potentially to the tune of $200 million in net economic benefit annually.

    One thing is certain though, we can’t keep doing things the way we’ve always done in the dairy industry, because it’s not working. When an opportunity came for the dairy industry to get some certainty on the regulatory side, Western United Dairymen and many other ag organizations took it.

    With the help of Assemblyman Devon Mathis (AD 26), the passage of AB 398 this week (known as the extension of Cap and Trade) really helped to secure some certainty for the dairy industry. The cap-and-trade program is a plan that provides certainty to our dairy processors, which means there is some cost certainty for our dairies. No other choice was on the table that provided a sense of regulatory and cost certainty.

    What would have been the outcome with no Cap-and-Trade extension? The state would implement more rules and impose mandatory reductions to meet the rules with no market mechanisms. So we made a choice, and Devon Mathis helped us make the choice by committing to save jobs and businesses. We protected our member dairy families and their employees.

    Our organization and the industry must remain humble and vigilant that this choice doesn’t become an empty promise by the State, and sometimes opportunities show up in strange places. The passage of AB 398 and the extension of a Cap-and-Trade program are the only viable methods to make this possible so that the dairy industry isn’t regulated into the ground.

    by Frank Mendonsa, President of Western United Dairymen

  • Almond & Dairy Industries Share a Beneficial Symbiotic Relationship

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    At the annual Convention of the Almond Alliance of California, growers, hullers & processors got to hear the perspective of the dairy industry through guest speaker Anja Raudabaugh CEO of Western United Dairymen, who spoke about the importance of the two industries working together to protect California agriculture and maintain higher dairy and almond hull prices. Watch the video and read more in the June issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • California’s Forgotten

    Modesto, Calif., (May 30, 2017) – Who speaks for the “Forgotten?” The woman who is constantly told to fork over more of her money for road repairs? For government employee health and pension programs? For electric cars or solar roof projects? The “Forgotten” who works to maintain a safe and healthy household for their children, but is constantly losing the battle to make ends meet?

    New laws, regulations, and the endless stream of initiatives continue to drive up how much California residents need to pay to the state, their county, and even their local politicians.

    No one seems to care about standing up and defending the individuals hurt the most by these cost increases. Especially none of the so called representatives even after their pandering and begging for votes on SB1 (one of the highest gas tax increases in history).

    A few weeks ago, the California State Legislature passed a sweeping 20 cent gasoline tax increase, a 4% increase on diesel sales tax, and a new car registration fee with a maximum fee being $175 more per car, per year. This tax is called a regressive tax, where individuals with modest means are hit the hardest, because a higher percentage of their income pays more for this tax than that of the rich.

    Now, as an example, add that new gas and diesel tax and car registration fee to the “Forgotten” in Compton.

    In Compton, the median household income is $43,157 and the city ranks in the bottom 20% of cities in Los Angeles County in this category.

    November 2016: The County of Los Angeles passed Measure M (0.5% sales tax increase), wherein 17% of revenue generated countywide will go back to cities to repair local infrastructure, pot holes, and street maintenance (called “local return”).

    March 2017: The County of Los Angeles passed Measure H (Homeless issue), which put an extra 0.25% increase on sales tax throughout the county.

    June 2017: The City of Compton passed a local measure to increase the sales tax by 1%, which was primarily touted as a fund to “pay for repaving city streets and establishing a street maintenance fund.”(A lawsuit has been filed contesting the election result)

    The Counties of San Bernardino, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma and Solano are all in the same boat of exaggerated above average tax circumstances for their forgotten classes of working families.

    On top of all those new taxes and fees, a set of our own local politicians are currently debating a program in Sacramento that would once again raise gas prices an additional 63-73 cents per gallon of gasoline by 2021.

    This type of paycheck hurt is being felt by millions of residents with above average tax rates, and below average median household income. In short, Sacramento is taxing the poor.

    Closer to home, it is hard to understand why those Assembly members who represent the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, El Monte, Inglewood, Lynwood, South El Monte, and South Gate participate in active discrimination with every vote they cast as they constantly push for higher fees, more gasoline taxes and constantly squeezing the pocketbooks of working families and the low-wage workers they are pretend to represent and protect.

    If they have sold out, who is left to stand up and defend the “Forgotten?” Who will speak up for those on fixed incomes, single mothers, college students, the retired and elderly, and working families with modest incomes who battle daily to make ends meet?

    When looking at this sorry state of affairs, I can’t help but think of the words of William Graham Sumner in his 1876 essay:

    “The Forgotten Man” He works, he votes, generally he prays—but he always pays…

    by Anja Raudabaugh, CEO WUD

  • 2017 WUD Director & Delegate Election Results

    Modesto, Calif., (February 1, 2017) – On behalf of the Board of Western United Dairymen we would like to thank all those who volunteered to participate in this year’s election process. We were extremely happy with the turnout and look forward to many more successful years. Please see the 2017 election results below. Delegates and Alternates: Please be advised that you are all encouraged and welcome to join us at our annual convention on Wednesday, March 29, The House of Delegate meeting is set to take place on Wednesday time is still to be determined. Your terms do not begin until AFTER this House of Delegate meeting –thus March 30, 2017.

    Please make sure to visit our website and register asap for the convention and please feel free to call the office if you have any questions. Once again thank you to all the participants and we look forward to working with everyone soon.

    District 1 – Delegate: Frank Martin – Alternate: Frank Ferreira

    District 2 – Delegate: Dave DeWitt – Alternate: Fred Denier

    District 3 – Director: Lucas Deniz – Delegate: Jennifer Beretta Alternate: John Taylor

    District 4 – Director: Pete DeVisser – Alternate Delegate: Paul Ven Puijenbro

    District 5 – Director: Devin Gioletti – Delegate: Jack Hoekstra – Alternate: Ellen Durrer

    District 6 – Director: Luis Borba – Delegates: Gino Pedretti III, Tim Coelho – Alternate: Kristen Areias

    District 7 – Director: Travis Visser – Delegate: Lauren Reid – Alternate: Rimmert DeJong

    District 8 – Delegates: Jared Fernandes, Louie Tristao – Alternate: Tim Ven Beek

    District 9 – Alternate delegate: Brian Medeiros

    District 10 – Delegates: Jim Renner, Steve Scilacci – Alternate: Anna Holgersen

    District 11 – Alternate Delegate: Curtis Vanden Burg

    District 12 – Delegate: Brian Schouten – Alternate: Kenny Harmsen