The California Dairy Leaders Program sponsored by Western United Dairymen has announced the selection of nine members of Class V. The year-long leadership training program will cover marketing, promotion and media relations, state and federal legislative processes, dairy producer prices and economics, and the full gamut of environmental issues.
"It is testimony to the appeal of this leadership-training program that so many qualified applicants have come forward. It speaks well for the future of the California dairy industry," says Justin Gioletti, chair of the California Dairy Leaders Committee and a graduate of Class I.
The program's material will be covered in five multi-day sessions, including a trip to the nations' capitol to personally meet California legislators. The groups' first session on marketing and media training will be held April 24-26 in South San Francisco. WUD began the program in 2002 to develop informed producers who will take leadership roles in the next generation of the state's dairy organizations. Since then, 31 members have graduated.
California Dairy Leaders Class V
- Vance Ahlem, James Ahlem Dairy, Hilmar
- David Barroso, Joe & Renee Barroso Dairy, Merced
- Jonathon DeGroot, John DeGroot & Son Dairy, Fresno
- Robert S. McCune, Vio-Mar Dairy, Hilmar
- Larry Pietrowski, Costa View Farms, Madera
- Mark Plantenga, Western Sky Dairy, Bakersfield
- Henry Van de Pol, Jr., C & H Dairy, Escalon
- Simon Vander Woude, Vander Woude Dairy, Merced
- Joshua Zonneveld, Zonneveld Dairies, Inc., Laton
WUD represents more than 60% of the milk produced in California. Membership benefits include resources in labor law, environmental regulations and pricing issues. Members decide the direction of state and federal legislative efforts affecting the dairy industry.