Overflow hotel guests were able to find accommodations at the Western United Annual Convention held March 5-7 in San Luis Obispo, California. Most of the speaker presentations were so jam-packed, however, that it was standing room only.

Following the workshops, convention attendees were treated to tours of the Cal Poly dairy and processing facility. The evening events on campus concluded with a dinner where Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong and interim Dean of Agriculture Andrew Thulin addressed the crowd.

On day two of the convention, dairy families also got to hear from a panel of legal experts and the USDA as to what a federal milk marketing order might look like for California. Speaker topics also included international dairy markets, as well as sustainability and global milk production. WUD’s government relations team provided insight as to the goings-on in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

In his keynote speech, former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado shared insights on the political process and the need for agriculture to be involved. Maldonado exhorted the crowd to keep politicians’ focus on water storage and the need for meaningful immigration reform.

Speaking not far from his family farming operation in Santa Maria, Maldonado chided congressional lawmakers for their inability to gain traction on immigration reform, stressing the need for temporary worker permits. “It’s embarrassing how they can’t come together on anything,” he said.

Maldonado pointed out that the Senate has passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill but the House leadership has refused to take action.

“D.C. is completely broken,” he lamented. “Democrats and Republicans can come together to pass a bill in the Senate but the House is not holding up its end of the bargain. Shame on all of us!”

Maldonado explained how his father came to the U.S. from Mexico “to work, not to moan and complain. I have not seen anyone come over here just to get on social services. People come here for opportunity and to make a better life for their family.”

Maldonado told the luncheon audience how he, as the eldest son of immigrant Mexican-American farm workers, helped his family run a small family farm where they grew strawberries. After Maldonado graduated from Santa Maria High School, his family used their earnings from the farm to send him to Cal Poly, where he majored in crop science. He brought his college experience back to his family's farm and helped his family grow the half-acre strawberry farm into a 6,000-acre farm, employing 250 people, with produce shipped around the world.

Maldonado stressed the importance of WUD members educating federal and state legislators. “When times are rough, it is important to kick it up a notch for your organization,” he said. “Bring legislators to the ranch. It is really important for you to educate these folks moving forward.”

Maldonado pointed out that he was a champion for the open-primary election concept and that he believes it is having an impact.

“When I introduced the open primary bill, I wanted to achieve three things – I wanted to attract candidates who were open-minded, reasonable and pragmatic. That is what’s lacking in Sacramento and D.C. – people who want to make tough decisions and move forward.”

He said he remains optimistic that the open primary system will help boost moderate legislators.

He lamented the trend toward bigger and bigger farming operations. “The mid-sized grower doesn’t exist anymore. I want that mid-sized farmer who was there when I was growing my business. It seems like those small banks are not there anymore either,” he said.

“This convention follows in the WUD tradition of delivering quality information that is provocative and timely,” noted President Tom Barcellos. “The turnout was terrific and comments from attendees show how valuable this type of quality program is to the California dairy industry. From the trade show to the seminars and presentations, everything was top notch. A good milk price doesn’t hurt either.” PD

—From Western United Dairymen

PHOTOS
TOP: WUD President Tom Barcellos, left, Convention Coordinator Heidi savage and Mary Barcellos, Kings County Dairy Princess.

MIDDLE: In his keynote speech, former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado shared insights on the political process and the need for agriculture to be involved.

BOTTOM: Members of Western United Dairymen’s California Dairy Leaders (CDL) program were honored at WUD’s convention with a graduation ceremony. CDL Class XII members are, from left, Katherine Nissen, Nissen Dairy Inc., Escalon; Melissa Lema, Western United Dairymen, Dixon; Paul van Puijenbroek, De Snayer Dairy, Lodi; Deanna Martin, USDA Farm Service Agency, Stockton; Elysha Bergwerff, Bergwerff Farms Inc., Escalon and Cristina Vieira, A & C Vieira Dairy, Turlock. Photos courtesy of Western United Dairymen.