Dairy program wins California’s top environmental award

The California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP) has been awarded California‘s highest environmental honor, the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA).

The CDQAP received the award Nov. 20 at a ceremony at California-EPA headquarters in Sacramento. It was one of 18 organizations that received a GEELA.

The CDQAP won in the “Environmental and Economic Partnerships” category for demonstrating exceptional leadership in building public-private collaborations that help conserve California‘s resources, and protecting and enhancing the environment.

“I’m proud to honor this year’s award recipients for their sustained commitment, innovative solutions and strategic investment to protect our environment and boost our economy,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The GEELA program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing the state’s environment, and building public-private partnerships.

The CDQAP comprises 17 regulatory agencies, dairy organizations, environmental advocacy groups and the University of California. The partnership offers classroom and on-farm assistance in meeting regional, state and federal environmental regulations.

“California‘s dairy industry is the most heavily regulated in the country,” said the University of California‘s Dr. Michael Payne, the CDQAP’s director. “Nowhere else are monitoring and reporting requirements for water quality more comprehensive than in the Central Valley. California dairies also face the strictest regulations in the nation for control of dust and air emissions.”

GEELA recipients are selected by a large panel of evaluators and the Secretaries of Cal/EPA, the Resources Agency, Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, the Department of Food and Agriculture, the State and Consumer Services Agency, and the Governor’s Office. For more information about GEELA, visit the Cal/EPA Web site: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Awards/GEELA/.

Established in 1997, CDQAP is a voluntary program that provides education, resources and funding for dairy producers in: environmental stewardship, Johne’s Disease control, food safety and emergency preparedness, and animal welfare.

For more information, contact CDQAP toll-free at 1-866-66CDQAP, or visit www.cdqap.org.