Nine California dairy producers have been appointed for a one-year term to the California Milk Advisory Board Dairy Confidence Committee, which serves as the CMAB’s liaison to the California Dairy Research Foundation in Davis, Calif. Richard Michel of Waterford will serve as chairman. Other committee members are: Johan Bartelink of Escalon; Jim Tiemersma of Visalia; Richard Wagner of Escalon; Ben Curti of Tulare; Dante Migliazzo of Atwater; Tony Machado of Merced; Margo Souza of Turlock; and Pat Van Dam of Chino.

The committee’s role is to evaluate dairy health issues as well as academic and non-academic research proposals in terms of potential influence on consumer perceptions regarding dairy practices. The proposals are reviewed for improvement in herd health and product quality, factors that play into the overall ability to successfully market dairy products.

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

About the California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board, an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s 1,700 dairy families. With headquarters in South San Francisco and Modesto, the CMAB is one of the largest commodity boards in the United States. The CMAB executes advertising, public relations, research and retail and foodservice promotional programs on behalf of California dairy products, including Real California Milk and Real California Cheese. For more information on California dairy products, visit www.RealCaliforniaMilk.com.
 
Contact:
Jennifer Giambroni, director of communications
650/871-6459, ext. 304
jgiambroni@cmab.net