California leads the nation in dairy outreach and education efforts, as evidenced by the efforts of the award-winning California Dairy Quality Assurance Program. This unique partnership involving state and federal government agencies, dairy associations and the University of California is dedicated to “compliance through education.”

Along with several dairy organizations, CDQAP (www.cdqa.org) partners include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California EPA, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and many others. The program offers education and independent third-party certification in environmental stewardship, animal welfare, food safety and emergency preparedness and other services.

With strong support from California dairy groups, CDQAP reaches out to educate and inform dairy farmers about new regulations to further enhance air and water quality protection. CDQAP has conducted hundreds of workshops to enhance environmental sustainability and ensure California dairy families have the information and resources they need to remain in compliance with our state’s comprehensive and evolving environmental regulations.