Agenda Announced for March 24th California Dairy Sustainability Summit

Speakers will address challenges and opportunities facing the dairy sector at the California Dairy Sustainability Summit, March 24, 2026, in Visalia.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — March 5, 2026 — The California Dairy Sustainability Summit organizing committee today announced the agenda for this year’s program, to take place on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Visalia Convention Center. Dairy farmers, policymakers, industry leaders, tech providers, and others will gather to discuss pressing economic and environmental sustainability challenges, while recognizing achievements, and promoting opportunities to further advance farming practices.

“California’s dairy farmers continue to pioneer world-leading, sustainable practices, further raising the bar and shrinking our environmental footprint,” said Rochelle De Groot, who operates De Groot Dairies, along with her husband, son, and daughter-in-law. “We are also facing incredible challenges as water availability becomes more limited and as new regulations are on the horizon. The Summit promotes the kind of critical cooperation needed, as we aim to move forward in ways that are truly sustainable, allowing our family farms to continue producing wholesome and nutritious milk well into the future.”

The one-day program is packed with dynamic presentations and panel discussions, and valuable networking and Expo Hall opportunities. Speakers will discuss significant milestones achieved, the value of dairy in meeting today’s food and nutrition demands, and the road ahead as California’s dairy farmers face water scarcity challenges and changing water quality regulations.

Through unprecedented efforts, the California dairy sector leads the way in methane reduction, with more than 5 million metric tons of emissions (CO2e) reduced annually. The Summit will examine success, ongoing progress, efforts to ensure long-term success, and supply chain collaboration.

Water availability and the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) will be a central topic. Leaders will discuss California’s monumental United Water Plan and the state’s broader efforts to create a more resilient water future for all by developing 9 million acre feet of additional water supplies. Experts will share insights on anticipated land transitions and guidance for navigating SGMA while protecting the dairy economy. Dairy farmers will discuss their efforts to manage with limited water, including the use of pivots and subsurface drip irrigation technologies, regenerative farming techniques, indoor vertical feed production, and other innovative dairy farm practices.

The following breakout sessions will include panel discussion and audience interaction, allowing attendees to learn more about specific programs, technologies, strategies, trends, and developments:

• Water-Use Efficiency Strategies for Dairies

• Methane Reduction: An Update on CA Dairy’s World-Leading Progress

• CA’s Leadership in Livestock Medications: Improving Animal Health, Preserving Effectiveness, Reducing Costs

• Navigating Dairy Water Quality Challenges

• Dairy in a Changing Food System: Today’s Nutrition Demands and Tomorrow’s Health Needs

• Animal Health Strategies for Enhanced Sustainability: A Look at Genomics & Monitoring

This year’s Summit will include several important recognitions. As the United Nations recognizes 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, 16 California dairy farmer leaders will be honored for contributions to their family farms, local communities, and to the broader effort of strengthening our food system. Additionally, Dr. Annette Jones, recently retired California State Veterinarian, will be recognized for her incredible service and accomplishments in safeguarding animal health.

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 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, Hilmar Cheese Company, and Maas Energy Works. Silver sponsors include Farm Credit, Figure 8 Environmental, Nibbana, Inc., and Valmetal. 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, Joseph Gallo Farms, Land O’Lakes, Inc., Milk Producers Council, Producer’s Dairy, Saputo, 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 2026 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 long-term 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.

·        With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the California Milk Advisory Board’s (CMAB) programs focus on increasing demand for dairy products made with sustainably sourced milk from California dairy farm families 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.