Dairy farmers, industry leaders, researchers, tech providers, and global food companies will share their knowledge at the California Dairy Sustainability Summit, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Visalia.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — February 25, 2025 — The California Dairy Sustainability Summit organizing committee today announced the agenda for this year’s farmer-focused event to take place on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Visalia Convention Center in Visalia, Calif. The one-day program is packed with dynamic presentations and panel discussions, and valuable networking and Expo Hall opportunities.
“California’s dairy farmers are making a lot of great progress to better protect the planet. It’s something that should be celebrated,” said Jared Fernandes, Tulare County dairy farmer and board member for several of the hosting organizations. “At the same time, our leadership comes with its challenges. We must work together to ensure we continue moving forward in ways that are truly sustainable— environmentally, economically, and socially. This year’s Summit is focused on helping farmers navigate ambitious policies and goals, while ensuring we can continue to keep our farms in business.”
Speakers will discuss significant milestones achieved, the value of dairy in nourishing the future, and the road ahead as California’s dairy farmers continue to pioneer world-leading, sustainable practices. Through unprecedented methane reduction efforts, the California dairy sector is on track to achieve climate neutrality by as early as 2027. The state’s dairy farmers are also advancing clean and renewable energy practices, water conservation and protection, animal health and comfort, and soil health. Keynote speakers include:
Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture
Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation
Frank Mitloehner, Ph.D., Professor and Air Quality Specialist, Director, UC Davis CLEAR Center
Mitch Kanter, Ph.D., Owner, Kanter Health and Nutrition Insights, LLC.
Through engaging panel discussions, stakeholders from throughout the supply chain, including a dairy farmer and global food company representatives, will talk about what’s driving the need for continued advancement in sustainability, and what are workable approaches to face challenges and move the needle toward collective goals. The morning program will set the stage for the afternoon, where specific incentives, programs, technologies, and strategies will be discussed. Breakout sessions include:
Tackling Water Scarcity: Evolving policies & strategies for improving water availability
Making the Most of Manure: Improving nutrient management & groundwater protection
Reducing Enteric Methane: Status of additives, selective breeding & more
Sustainable Feed Solutions: Cool new models for growing & delivering high-quality feed
The Ongoing Role of Digesters: Market outlook and long-term success
Held biennially since 2018, the California Dairy Sustainability Summit is co-hosted by Dairy Cares, California Dairy Research Foundation, California Milk Advisory Board, California Dairy Quality Assurance Program, and the Dairy Council of California. The Expo Hall component of the Summit is returning for the first time since 2018, providing hands-on opportunities to explore sustainability solutions.
The Summit is made possible by its sponsors. Platinum sponsor, California Cattle Council is an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, funded by dairy farming and cattle ranching families. Gold sponsors include BioFiltro, California Bioenergy, LLC, California Farm Bureau Federation, and Hilmar Cheese Company. Silver sponsors include Farm Credit, Figure 8 Environmental, Netafim, and Nibbana, Inc. To see the full list, or to join supporters, visit www.cadairysummit.com.
The California Dairy Sustainability Summit is supported by leading dairy organizations, including its Event Partners at the California Dairy Campaign, California Dairies, Inc., California Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy Farmers of America, Hilmar Cheese Company, Land O’Lakes, Inc., Milk Producers Council, Producer’s Dairy, Joseph Gallo Farms, Valley Milk, LLC, and Western United Dairies Foundation.
The Summit’s mission is to promote continued advancement of planet-smart dairy farm practices and to recognize and enhance dairy’s valuable role in sustainable, healthy, and equitable food systems. The 2025 summit is organized in partnership with JCS Marketing, Inc. To see the agenda and speaker roster, and to register, visit www.cadairysummit.com.
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Dairy Cares is a statewide coalition with a mission to ensure the sustainability of California’s dairy farm families through strong environmental stewardship and responsible animal care.
The California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) is an independent non-profit organization that leads and delivers research and science-based programs to support an innovative and sustainable California dairy industry.
For more 25 years, the award-winning California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP) has worked as a partnership between the dairy industry, academia, and others to provide science-based education and third-party certifications, promoting the health of consumers, the environment, and the health and welfare of dairy animals.
The California Milk Advisory Board, an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world.
Dairy Council of California is a nutrition organization working together with champions to elevate the health of children and communities through lifelong healthy eating patterns. Focusing on education and advocacy, dairy ag literacy, and collaboration, we advance the health benefits of milk and dairy foods as part of the solution to achieving nutrition security and sustainable food systems.
