Farm Focus - March 25, 2025
Hosted by
Visalia Convention Center | Visalia, CA
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2025 Speakers
Stay tuned for additional announcements!
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, Ph.D.
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
Michael McRee is the owner of Michael McRee Farming and Triangle M Dairy in Chowchilla, CA. He grows 750 acres of corn/wheat, 650 acres of tomatoes, 600 acres of alfalfa and 220 acres of almonds. His forage feeds 2000 cows across two dairy operations in the California Central Valley. Michael switched to drip irrigation because it's the most optimal and efficient way to deliver water to the crops. Implementing Netafim's sub-surface drip irrigation has given him the control he needs to deliver the proper nutrients in the timeliest manner to increase production. A leader in sustainable agriculture, in 2017, he was recognized as the Conservation Agriculture Farmer Innovator by the Conservation Agriculture Systems Innovation (CASI) Center.
Owner
Michael McRee Farming,
Triple M Dairy
Michael McRee
Geoffrey Vanden Heuvel started his work with Milk Producers Council as the Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs after retiring from a 39-year career as a dairy farmer in Southern California. He serves as the dairy industry's eyes, ears, and advocate as the various, local Ground Water Sustainability Agencies implement California's Groundwater Sustainability Management Act. Geoffrey works to champion common sense water solutions through his role as Vice Chair of the Water Blueprint of the San Joaquin Valley. His special expertise in groundwater management and California water issues was developed through nearly three decades of service to the water boards to the boards of the Chino Basin Watermaster, the Chino Basin Water Conservation District, as well as the Southern California Water Coalition.
Dir. of Regulatory & Economic Affairs
Milk Producers Council
Geoffrey Vanden Heuvel
Simon Vander Woude, along with his wife Christine, own and operate 3 dairies in Merced County. Vander Woude Dairy has been utilizing genomic data for strategic breeding decisions since 2012. They have also added Dutch Door Dairy and Grand View Dairy, each operated independently, but working collaboratively on a breeding strategy to maximize genetic gains and minimize heifer raising expenses. Vander Woude Dairy also has had solar since 2014, and has recently added a methane digester to our portfolio. Sustainability must start with an economic benefit to the dairy operation, and will most often be mutually advantageous to the dairy and the environment. Simon currently serves as the vice-chair of NMPF, board member of USDEC, as well as being a board member of several local organizations.
Owner
Vander Woude Dairy, Dutch Door Dairy, Grand View Dairy
Simon Vander Woude
For more than 20 years, Dr. Jones has served as Director of the Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. In this capacity, she oversees all programs for animal health, milk and dairy food safety, meat and poultry inspection, and livestock identification. In 2010, besides continuing to perform as Director, Dr. Jones was appointed California State Veterinarian, the position ultimately responsible for the state's veterinary authority on animal health and food safety related to livestock and poultry.
State Veterinarian, CDFA
Director, Animal Health & Food Safety
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Annette M. Jones, D.V.M.
Richie Mayo was born and raised on a Central Valley dairy farm, completed his degree in agricultural economics at Fresno State, and is now the CFO of De Jager Farms, Inc. managing 18,000 acres of farmland. De Jager Farms primarily grows alfalfa, corn, and wheat to feed the roughly 25,000 milking cows within the De Jager family’s eight dairies. Along with farm management, Richie has focused his career on playing a role in long-term planning and agronomics, as well as developing sustainable solutions for addressing resource management for dairies in California.
Chief Financial Officer
De Jager Farms
Richie Mayo
Jason Prapas has nearly 20 years of experience in the development and commercialization of products, processes, and sustainable enterprises with a specialization in agriculture, waste-to-value processes, renewable power generation, and combustion science. Jason was Director of Translational Research at MIT’s Tata Center for Technology and Design, where he oversaw the spinout of 8 technology companies across agriculture, energy, human health, and water treatment. Prior to that, Jason was the Co-Founder and CTO of Factor[e] Ventures, an emerging markets venture capital and venture development firm. He was also a Process Engineer and Program Manager at GreenFuel Technologies, the world's first algae biofuel technology company. Dr. Prapas holds his Bachelors in Physics and Masters and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.
Founder and CEO
FYTO
Jason Prapas
Michael Kotyk leads commercial activities and oversees marketing of the renewable natural gas, renewable electricity, and environmental attributes produced from the company’s portfolio of 86 dairy digester biogas projects.
CalBio is a leading developer of dairy digesters for generating renewable natural gas, vehicle fuel and electricity. Founded in 2006, CalBio works closely with the California Air Resources Board, California Department of Food and Agriculture, the California Public Utility Commission, the California Energy Commission, USDA and the dairy industry to develop projects to help the dairy industry achieve its methane reduction goals, protect local air and water quality, and create local jobs.
Michael Kotyk
VP of Commercial Dev.& Offtake
California Bioenergy, LLC. ​
Jacob Zonneveld is the President & CEO of Zonneveld Dairies, Inc. a third-generation dairy farming enterprise located in Fresno County, CA where he grew up with his siblings and cousins. He received his B.S. in Dairy Science from Cal Poly, SLO, where he oversaw the production of dairy products produced at the Cal Poly creamery. After graduating, Jacob moved to Wisconsin to work for Kraft Heinz in manufacturing and engineering management roles. While working for Kraft Heinz he received his MBA from the Wisconsin School of Business. Prior to coming back to the family business, Jacob returned to California to work in the Strategy group at the Wonderful Company, implementing multiple initiatives. Jacob is excited to work with his family to improve the profitability and sustainability of their dairy and farming operations for the benefit of future generations.
Jacob Zonneveld
President & CEO
Zonneveld Dairies, Inc.
Dayna Ghirardelli serves as the executive director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. In 2024, she initiated and led the ‘No on Measure J’ Campaign, which resulted in a resounding defeat of the measure by 85%. Measure J was a Sonoma County effort spearheaded by animal rights extremists, which would have been detrimental to local and potential the broader animal agriculture industry if passed.
Dayna grew up on a dairy in Petaluma and has in-depth experience working with dairy farmers to advance practices. Her previous experience includes serving as the Director of Producer Relations for the California Milk Advisory Board, the Producer Relations Manager for Clover Sonoma, and the Dairy Program Representative for the University of California Cooperative Extension in Sonoma and Marin Counties.
Dayna Ghirardelli
Executive Director
Sonoma County Farm Bureau
Polina Surina is the Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager for Mars.
Polina Surina
Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager
Mars
Ryan Flaherty is the Director of Business Partnerships at Sustainable Conservation, a non-profit organization committed to helping California thrive by bringing together business, landowners and government to solve challenges facing land, air and water. Ryan leads a team to identify and test manure management solutions that reduce the environmental impact of California’s dairy industry while keeping it economically viable. Ryan served as a Co-Chair on the non-digester subgroup of the SB 1383 Dairy and Livestock GHG Emissions Working Group and currently serves as Co-Chair of the CDFA Manure Recycling and Innovative Products Task Force.
Ryan Flaherty
Director of Business Partnerships
Sustainable Conservation
J.P. Cativiela has served as director of environmental regulatory affairs for the Dairy Cares coalition since 2001. Cativiela also serves as administrator of the Central Valley Dairy Representative Monitoring Program (CVDRMP), a not-for-profit organization of more than 1,100 Central Valley dairy families assembled to conduct monitoring and develop recommendations for groundwater protection. Cativiela is a principal of Cogent Consulting and Communications, Inc., based in Sacramento.
J.P. Cativiela
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Dairy Cares
Danny Martins graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2003 and has since managed the operations of the family business, Martins Farm LP. He is a second-generation dairy farmer from Modesto, California. Danny currently serves as a board member on the Milk Producers Council and is owner of Martins Milk Transport LLC. He resides in Modesto, with his wife, Tiffany and three daughters, Makenna, Brielle and Camille.
Martins Farms, LP is home to a first-of-its- kind, fully-automated feed center that uses electric equipment and automation technology to efficiently and sustainably enhance the daily delivery of nutritious dairy feed.
Danny Martins
Dairy Farmer, Owner
Martins Farms, Martins Milk Transport
Mitch Kanter, PhD has served in director-level roles in the healthy food, beverage and agriculture sectors for over 30 years. He currently owns his own consulting practice, Mitch Kanter Health & Nutrition Insights (MKHNI), serving as a health/nutrition consultant for numerous companies and industry organizations. Among his recent clients are the Global Dairy Platform (GDP), where he served for seven years as the organization’s Chief Science Officer, and The Indiana University School of Public Health. During his career Dr. Kanter has held roles including Director of The Gatorade Sports Science Institute and Director of Nutrition Science & Scientific Communications for the Quaker Oats Company, Director of Nutrition Research for General Mills, and Discovery Director and Director of Venturing for Cargill.
Mitch Kanter, Ph.D.
Owner
Kanter Health & Nutrition Insights, LLC
Dedicated to delivering low cost, sustainable solutions, Kaelen McCrane is a Senior Originator with Mainspring Energy, a fuel flexible, low emission power generation technology provider. Prior to Mainspring, Kaelen was an Area Sales Manager with Quinn CAT Power for 6.5 years developing temporary and permanent power generation and air compression solutions across southern and central California. At Quinn, Kaelen was also responsible for new business development for Nikola’s battery electric and Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, delivering some of the very first Zero Emission Class 8 trucks in the state.
Kaelen McCrane
Senior Originator​
Mainspring Energy
David De Groot is a licensed professional civil engineer in the Central Valley of California. For more than twenty years he has leveraged his skills to assist in the management of water, development of local cities, and assisting private agricultural clients with new projects, permitting, and environmental compliance. In 2008, David co-founded 4Creeks, Inc., a Civil Engineering and Land Surveying company based in Visalia, CA. After several years of business partnership with California Bioenergy, David officially joined the Cal Bio team in 2024, as the Chief Operating Officer.
David De Groot
CFO & COO
4Creeks, Inc. & California Bioenergy
Figure 8 Environmental is a technically driven company specializing in economically solving persistent environmental issues. The founder Scott Harrison was born and raised in the central valley of California and has many connections in the agriculture field. Specifically, in commercial farming, livestock, and dairy specialties. Scott has family and close friends that own and operate large dairies and farms in the CA central valley.
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​Figure 8 was specifically formed so a dedicated company could adequately apply focus to helping the dairy and livestock sectors increase their bottom line through more efficient waste management. Leveraging his experience in navigating the regulatory world, equipment and chemical manufactures, Scott produced an innovative solution to the unique problems with dairy waste.
Scott Harrison
CEO
Figure 8 Environmental
Michael Boccadoro has participated in California’s environmental policy arena for more than 30 years. He specializes in public affairs consulting and has distinctive expertise in the areas of environmental, climate, natural resources, and sustainability management. As president of West Coast Advisors, Boccadoro is responsible for overseeing the firm’s climate and sustainability practices. Boccadoro has served as the executive director of Dairy Cares since its inception 24 years ago and is a leading national expert on sustainable dairy production. Dairy Cares is a statewide coalition of dairy farmers, processors, and trade associations that helps advance sustainable practices on family dairy farms. Boccadoro also serves as executive director of the Agricultural Energy Consumers Association and the California Creamery Operators Association.
Michael Boccadoro
Executive Director
Dairy Cares
Denise Mullinax serves the California dairy industry as the Director of the California Dairy Research Foundation and as the Assistant Director of the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program. She has more than 25 years of experience in leading on-farm change and has worked in both academic and private sectors within the dairy industry. Denise has devoted her career to assisting dairy producers and professionals in continued improvement in environmental stewardship, food safety and security, and animal care. She earned a B.S. in animal science and M.S. in agriculture and management from UC Davis.
Denise Mullinax
Executive Director
California Dairy Research Foundation
Innovating new wastewater treatment technology is critical worldwide. The right expertise and focus is needed from pioneering companies to improve efficiency, performance and cost savings. Forward-looking leaders help create breakthroughs and make a positive impact on people, the environment and lead the world to a more sustainable future.
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Turn to Centrisys C.E.O. and Founder Michael Kopper for deeper insights on the latest trends and technology in the industry. A charismatic leader and passionate speaker, Kopper is at the forefront of global efforts developing new innovative biosolids treatment processes and infuses a spirit of ingenuity in his commentary.
Michael Kopper
CEO and Founder​
Centrisys/CNP
Dr. Lombard grew up in Colorado and spent his early years on his family’s cattle ranch. After obtaining his DVM from CSU, he practiced primarily dairy cattle medicine in Wisconsin for almost 10 years. He returned to CSU and completed a master’s degree in epidemiology while working for USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS). He coordinated multiple National studies, primarily focused on the dairy industry. While with USDA, he also participated on an Incident Management Team and was deployed for multiple cattle and poultry diseases during his 20-year federal career. Dr. Lombard moved to CSU in 2023. Since April of 2024, he has spent most of his time working to better understand HPAI in dairy cattle.
Jason Lombard, DVM
Veterinary Epidemiologist
Colorado State University
Korey Reynolds is a Senior Project Engineer at SkyNRG Americas, a company dedicated to decarbonizing the aviation industry through the development of sustainable fuels projects. Korey serves as the technical lead for Project Wigeon, a clean fuels facility that will produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Renewable Diesel (RD) from Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) in Eastern Washington. With expertise in process engineering and renewable fuels technologies, Korey supports process design development, evaluates emerging technologies, and collaborates with engineering teams to facilitate project execution and ensure regulatory compliance. SkyNRG Americas is headquartered in Bend, Oregon, and is a subsidiary of SkyNRG BV, a global leader in SAF based in the Netherlands.
Korey Reynolds
Senior Project Engineer
SkyNRG Americas
Mary Beth grew up on an 80-cow registered Holstein dairy farm in southern New York. She received her B.S. at Delaware Valley College and her M.S. at Cornell University. In 1994, she received her Ph.D. from Michigan State University. She then worked as a nutritionist in the feed industry in the Northeast. Her primary responsibilities were to provide on-farm nutritional consultation, educate sales staff, and formulate and test new products. In 2003, Mary Beth became sole proprietor of a nutritional consultation business for the dairy feed industry, Paradox Nutrition, LLC. She now conducts studies on commercial dairy farms for feed ingredient supply companies. She also does computer modeling and literature review projects, and she continues to do some on-farm nutritional consultation.
Mary Beth de Ondarza, PhD
Owner
Paradox Nutrition, LLC
Heidi Rossow is a Professor of Dairy Nutrition Management with UC Davis Veterinary School located at the Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center (VMTRC) in Tulare, California. She blends basic nutrition research with large herd commercial dairy research. Her areas of study are systems analysis of dairy feed management and its impact on health and production, and examine the impact of feed supplements on growth, health, rumen development, fecal pathogen shedding and longevity in calves and milk production and health of dairy cows on commercial farms.
Heidi Rossow
Professor of Dairy Nutrition
UC Davis Veterinary School
Dr. Ralph Bruno is the Senior Dairy Technical Service Veterinarian for Zoetis in central and northern California and Utah. He has extensive experience in the dairy industry in the USA and internationally.
​In his role at Zoetis, Dr. Bruno has supported the company’s portfolio, working with field staff, veterinarians, consultants, and dairy producers. His interests include animal health, nutrition, reproduction, genomics, dairy management, and economics.
Dr. Bruno is the president of the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) and a board member of the Genomic/Genetic Committee for the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP)
Ralph Bruno, DVM, MPVM, PhD
Sr Dairy Technical Service Veterinarian​
Zoetis
Thomas Harter holds the Nora S. Gustavsson Endowed Professorship in Water Resources at the University of California, Davis after serving as the Robert M. Hagan Endowed Chair for Water Policy and Management from 2007-2020. He has a joint appointment as Professor and as Professor in Cooperative Extension at the Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, is currently chair of the Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Group, and, as Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, is a team partner for the World Water Center. At UC Davis since 1995, he has established a unique research program in agricultural groundwater hydrology developing novel understanding and solutions to address issues at the nexus of groundwater, the unsaturated zone, soils, and agriculture.
Thomas Harter, PhD
Distinguished Professor
University of California, Davis
Justin Loyear leads the Business Development for Cummins Alternative Technologies in the Western United States. Justin is focused on supporting Cummins' Destination Zero pledge by consulting with customers on the future of powertrains. Based in Fresno, California, Justin’s territory covers the 11 states from Colorado to California plus Alaska and Hawaii. Justin specializes in Cummins near-zero natural gas engines, hydrogen, gasoline, propane, advanced diesel, and electric powertrains. Justin has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis and a juris doctorate from the San Joaquin College of Law.
Justin Loyear
Business Development Manager
Cummins
Juan M. Tricarico, Ph.D., is senior vice president for Environmental Research at Dairy Management Inc. His work focuses on sustainable milk production to support efforts by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy to drive trust and sales in milk and dairy foods. Dr. Tricarico holds a licentiate degree in Biology from Universidad CAECE in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Tricarico is past president for the Council of Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). Before joining DMI, Tricarico worked at Alltech Inc. where he developed and evaluated feed additives focused on ruminal fermentation and its implications on ruminal microbiology, carbohydrate fermentation, and nitrogen utilization in ruminants.
Juan Tricarico, Ph.D.
Sr VP for Environmental Research
Dairy Management, Inc.
Doug Beretta was born and raised on the family dairy ranch in Santa Rosa. The ranch has been in his family since 1948 when his grandfather purchased it and moved his dairy cattle to Santa Rosa from Petaluma. Doug is part of the third generation to own and operate the dairy.
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Throughout the decades the Beretta’s have been innovators in their management of natural resources, while sustaining their family dairy business. Over the years, Beretta has served as a leader for the dairy industry through his involvement in the local agricultural community. The dairy has received several awards, recognizing the family's leadership in adopting sustainable dairy farm practices.
Doug Beretta
Owner
Beretta Family Dairy
Hi, I’m Wiebren Jonkman, a proud first-generation dairy farmer dedicated to producing high-quality milk while caring for the land, animals, and community around me. With 9 years of experience running a sustainable dairy farm together with my family, I’m passionate about using innovative farming practices to ensure the health of my herd and the environment. When I’m not working on the farm, you’ll find me spending time with my wife and two boys, fishing, or enjoying a good cup of coffee made with fresh milk from our cows. Let’s connect to talk about farming, sustainability, or life on the land!
Wiebren Jonkman
Owner
Diamond J Farms
Steven Rowe has long been an impactful organizational executive and sustainability leader. He successfully led teams and organizations in various business sectors, including agriculture and global manufacturing. As the founding President and CEO of Newtrient LLC, he spearheaded initiatives to enhance sustainability in the dairy industry, driving environmental and economic progress. Before Newtrient, Rowe served in key executive roles at Darigold Inc., and led the sustainability efforts for 500 family-owned dairy farms. He has also contributed to numerous industry associations and councils, advocating for environmental stewardship and economic prosperity. As both an executive and legal counsel Steven brings extensive expertise to his role as Chairman of the Board at BioFiltro.
Steve Rowe
President
BioFiltro