Members of the California Dairy Leaders Class XI will get a first-hand look at the inner workings of Capital Hill next week when they depart Thursday, September 13 for the nation’s capital. Congress goes back into session September 10 following its lengthy summer recess and all eyes will be focused on the fate of the Farm Bill. House Ag Committee chair Frank Lucas says he is focused on passing a Farm Bill before the current bill expires on September 30. Starting Monday, September 10, there are just eight legislative days remaining to get that done.

“This will be an exciting time for our dairy leaders to be in DC,” said CEO Michael Marsh who will accompany the group. “We have several meetings on Capitol Hill with members of Congress and their key staff people. We will be in the thick of the debate over the Farm Bill and it should be a very educational experience for the class members. We will impress upon the Congress our serious concerns with Dairy Title provisions that unfairly discriminate against California dairy families and the feed costs we experience. We will also press for changes to the King Amendment that ranking member Peterson of Minnesota has recognized would undermine California’s ability to enforce our higher nutritional standards for fluid milk.”

The California Dairy Leaders are Ellen Durrer, Durrer Dairy, L.P., Modesto; Lauren Reid, Fred Rau Dairy, Inc., Fresno; Jared Mello, Wagner Dairy L.P., Escalon; Trevor Nutcher, Hidden Valley Dairy, Modesto; Robby Thommen, Thommen Dairy, Los Banos; David Dewit, Dewit Dairy, Acampo; Jennifer Beretta, Beretta Dairy, Santa Rosa; Rebecca Spaletta, Spaletta Dairy, Point Reyes and Jenny Mesenhimer, WUES Environmental Technician, Modesto. Sept. 7, 2012 WUD Friday Update