Western United Dairymen builds the future

By Michele Laverty, Editor
Stanislaus Farm News

(Reprinted with permission from the March 7, 2003 edition of Stanislaus Farm News, a publication of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau)

In his presentation to the members assembled at the Western United Dairyman (WUD) annual meeting, the organization's Chief Executive Officer Michael Marsh urged members to "save in the good times and invest in the bad." WUD as an organization is doing just that, investing for the future during this difficult time for the dairy industry.

Recognizing that the industry needs young, energetic, trained leaders to guide its future, WUD established the California Dairy Leaders program. This program gives interested members the opportunity to learn about the factors that affect the industry from the inside and prepares them to become more effective advocates and spokespeople for the industry.

Dairy Leader members are interviewed by Stanislaus Farm News Editor Michele Laverty at the WUD annual convention

Members of this first class visited Sacramento and Washington D.C. to learn first hand the political process. In Washington D. C. members were exposed to the complexities of the export market. One session brought the dairymen face to face with environmental advocates to learn both sides of these emotional issues. In yet another session, the participants were educated on the marketing and public relations involving the industry and provided with training on how to respond to media inquiries and interviews. The final session brought a crash course in dairy market economics and milk price pooling.

At the end of this accelerated yet extremely valuable series the new graduates of the California Dairy Leaders program were honored at the WUD annual meeting. Members of the first class are: Mark Ahlem, Ahlem West, Hilmar; Joshua S. Bernard, Blue Sky Dairy, Hilmar; Gerald P. Corda, Corda Dairy, Petaluma; Chris Durrer, Louie Durrer & Son Dairy, Modesto; Justin Gioletti, Robert Gioletti & Sons Dairy, Inc., Turlock; Aaron Highstreet, Highstreet Dairy, Tulare; Gary Marchy, Marchy Dairy, Ceres.

Gary Marchy echoed the feelings of all of the class members when he said, "The program was informative and educational and made me realize the importance of WUD. I gained knowledge and skills to help me tackle future challenges."

When asked to describe the most surprising part of the program, Justin Gioletti said, "The environmental part was amazing -- to sit down with opposite sides and have a discussion about the issues."

Chris Durrer added after sitting down with Delta Keeper representatives, "You don't know exactly what to expect but they are more willing to work with you than the average dairyman realizes, if we take the steps to work with the mainstream groups."

The only member of the class not from Stanislaus or Merced counties was Gerald Corda of Petaluma. For Corda the course was valuable because, "Although the issues are different in different areas of the state, we will be better able to deal with any issue because of the contacts we have made through this program."

Participation in the program better prepared these men to fact the challenges ahead of their dairies and the industry. Comments from the group on how to improve public opinion about the way cows are cared for and housed, ranged from better education for the public and bringing them onto the dairy, to using USDA funds and other funds to improve dairies.

For Josh Bernard the program brought the realization that "We need to be proactive because what we do on our dairies really does impact the marketplace." This thought was seconded by Aaron Highstreet who said, “In this program you learn that we really have an impact on what is in the grocery store."

To which Gioletti added, "The end result is for our customer on a Sunday drive to see us as delivering a safe and wholesome product they have got to see some happy cows.”

"A happy cow is a healthy cow," added Chris Durrer.

"The whole goal of the program is for us to become more involved (in our association) as a delegate or director. Involvement is the key to leadership," said Marchy.

The hope for the future is that the investment of WUD in these seven individuals will pay off in future leadership. Judging by the enthusiasm and unity of this group there is little doubt that the investment will be returned over and over again. WUD is now accepting applications for its second class of dairy leaders. For more information on this program call WUD at (209) 527-6453.