Farm Focus - March 25, 2025
Hosted by
Visalia Convention Center | Visalia, CA

The 2025 Farm Focus - California Dairy Sustainability Summit will...
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Equip California’s dairy farm families with information about new technologies and strategies to strengthen and sustain their operations
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Take a head-on look at challenges that lay ahead for dairy farmers, as California continues to pursue ambitious environmental goals
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Help dairy farmers learn from one another about ways to improve economic and environmental sustainability
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Recognize California dairy’s important contributions to sustainability, through health and nutrition, culture and community, environment and the economy​
Official Event Partners: We are proud to have the support of the industry’s leading organizations, including the California Dairy Campaign, California Dairies, Inc., California Farm Bureau Federation, Clover Sonoma, Dairy Farmers of America, Dairy Institute of California, Hilmar Cheese Company, Land O’Lakes, Inc., Milk Producers Council, Producer’s Dairy, Joseph Gallo Farms, Valley Milk, LLC., and Western United Dairies Foundation.
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Organized in partnership with
2025 Speakers Include...

Jack de Jong is the Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Forever Feed Technologies, a company pioneering automated indoor sprout-grain production for use as a sustainable and highly-nutritious dairy feed ingredient. Jack is also the owner of River Ranch Farms in Hanford, CA, an 1880-acre dairy operation. Jack also farms additional ranches which grow more dairy feed, almonds, and blueberries, totaling over 3,500-acres farmed in all. Jack was honored as the 2023 Kings County Agriculturist of the year for his outstanding contributions to the agricultural community.
Co-Founder, CEO, & Chairman
Forever Feed, River Ranch Farms
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Jack de Jong

Dr. Frank Mitloehner is a professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis. As such, he shares his knowledge and research, both domestically and abroad, with students, scientists, farmers and ranchers, policy makers, and the public at large. Frank is also director of the CLEAR Center, which has two cores – research and communications. The CLEAR Center brings clarity to the intersection of animal agriculture and the environment.
Professor & Air Quality Specialist
University of California, Davis
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Frank Mitloehner

Karen Ross was appointed Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture in 2019 by Governor Gavin Newsom. In re-appointing Secretary Ross, Governor Newsom cited her unmatched leadership experience in agricultural issues nationally, internationally, and here in California, in areas including environmental stewardship, climate change adaption, and trade. Secretary Ross was initially appointed by Governor Edmund. G. Brown Jr. in 2011.
Secretary
California Department of Food & Agriculture​
Karen Ross

Gregg Doud is NMPF’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Before arriving at NMPF he served as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative from 2018 until 2021; before that, he served as the president of the Commodity Markets Council, representing commodities exchanges before Congress and federal agencies. He also has served as a staff member for the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, where he helped draft the 2012 Farm Bill, and as chief economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Most recently, he worked at Aimpoint Research as its Vice President of Global Situational Awareness and Chief Economist.
President and CEO
National Milk Producers Federation
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Gregg Doud
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Darrin Monteiro is the Vice President of Sustainability & Member Relations for California Dairies, Inc. He manages CDI’s sustainability team that develops and maintains key sustainability metrics throughout the supply chain, from the farm to the customer. Additionally, he engages with customers, identifying and securing value-add opportunities on behalf of CDI and our member-owners. Darrin also manages the CDI field team and government relations for the company.
SVP, Sustainability & Member Relations
California Dairies, Inc.
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Darrin Monteiro

A seasoned sustainability expert with 19 years of management experience, Val has made significant contributions to corporate water stewardship and environmental initiatives. Her career spans roles in corporate sustainability, business development for purpose-driven brands, and executive leadership at an environmental nonprofit. Currently, Val consults for the world’s largest irrigation company, focusing on optimizing natural resource use to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining food security. This role combines Val’s passion for water resilience with practical solutions for sustainable agriculture.
Advocacy/Development Consultant
Orbia Precision Agriculture (Netafim)​
Val Fishman

Hansel New is AVP of Sustainability Strategy & Programs at Dairy Farmers of America, a farmer-owned cooperative and one the world’s leading dairy food companies. In this role he leads implementation of DFA’s sustainability pillars and strategy, supports business sustainability priorities, and supports commercial operations and farmer-owners in their environmental conservation activities. He actively supports a vibrant and resilient U.S. dairy community through project and committee work both in the U.S. and globally.
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Assistant VP of Sustainability Strategy & Programs
Dairy Farmers of America​
Hansel New

Jared Fernandes is a third-generation dairy farmer, who owns and operates Legacy Ranches in Tulare County, in partnership with two of his brothers, Josh and Frank. Jared and his brothers have been early adopters of many sustainable practices, including a dairy digester, conservation tillage, solar energy, and a methane-reducing feed additive. Jared is an industry leader, currently serving on the Board of Directors for several organizations, including Land O’ Lakes, Inc., Dairy Cares, and the California Dairy Research Foundation.
Dairy Farmer
Legacy Ranches
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Jared Fernandes

Daniel Peerless is the Global Sustainable Sourcing Lead for Dairy, Meat, Poultry and Eggs with Nestlé. As part of the ESG Climate and Sustainable Sourcing team, he oversees responsible sourcing standards and reporting within the Nestlé global supply chain and coordinates work to reduce emissions on the farms that produce ingredients for Nestlé products. Before joining Nestlé in 2021, he was a member of the environmental research team at Dairy Management Inc., the national dairy checkoff program.
Global Sustainable Sourcing Lead -Dairy, Meat, Poultry & Eggs
Nestlé
Daniel Peerless

Darrin Monteiro is the Vice President of Sustainability & Member Relations for California Dairies, Inc. He manages CDI’s sustainability team that develops and maintains key sustainability metrics throughout the supply chain, from the farm to the customer. Additionally, he engages with customers, identifying and securing value-add opportunities on behalf of CDI and our member-owners. Darrin also manages the CDI field team and government relations for the company.
Owner
Michael McRee Farming,
Triangle M Dairy
Michael McRee
Registration is Now Open.
Farm Focus - March 25, 2025
Visalia Convention Center | Visalia, CA
Hotel
Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center, 300 S. Court Street, Visalia, CA, 93291. Phone: 559-636 -1111. Book hotel room: Click Here. Book soon! Rates end on Feb 24.
The registration rates are:
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$50 for all Farmers/Dairy Farm Owners/Ranches & Employees
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$150 for all other Professionals
Registration includes full access to all sessions, breakouts, and Expo Hall, and all meals: breakfast, lunch, and closing reception (3:30 -5:30 pm).
Agenda
Here's an outline of the 2025 program agenda. More details to TBA. Exact times subject to changes.
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Tuesday, March 2025, 2025 - Visalia Convention Center
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7:00 - 8:00 am - Continental Breakfast in the Expo Hall
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8:00 - 10:30 am - General Sessions in the Expo Hall
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Networking Break
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11:00 - 11:50 am - Breakout Sessions
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12:00 - 1:30 pm - Lunch and Exhibits in the Expo Hall
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1:40 - 2:30 pm - Breakout Sessions
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2:40 - 3:30 pm - Breakout Sessions
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3:30 - 5:30 pm - Reception in the Expo Hall
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Sponsor the Summit
The California Dairy Sustainability Summit would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. The 2025 program will serve as a valuable networking and learning opportunity, and a way for your organization to stand out for its role in helping California dairy farms adopt of world-leading planet-smart farm practices.
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Download the prospectus to explore the sponsor/exhibitor opportunities:
Join our growing list of 2025 supporters!
Platinum:
Gold:
Silver:
Bronze:
Hospitality:
Exhibitors:
