2022 December Board Book

Dear CMAB Board of Directors:

The past year at the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) was a big one, focused on increasing our collaborative reach within the industry and co-funding research and educational opportunities with outside and adjacent industry partners where our expertise and theirs could be maximally shared. The results were seen through an increase in vital information being distributed to the dairy communities and consumers alike. California dairy is truly operating in the land of innovation from our environmental health practices and expectations to our unique position in dairy export and clean-label products. In the past year, we have completed 11 of our 34 projects, summaries are published in our fourth Annual Projects Report and Summary of the reports. The Annual Projects Report and Summary were provided to CMAB as well as industry partners and is posted on our website. The Summary was mailed to all California dairy producers. Both documents include succinct project summaries and serve to inform stakeholders of the current CDRF research and education portfolio. CDRF is primarily funded by CMAB and aims to be an exemplary steward of the check-off dollars it receives from California dairy producers. In addition to CMAB funding, CDRF also seeks project co-funding and investments from research institutions, government agencies, and private industry. Multiple CDRF projects are co-funded with partners in the dairy industry and beyond as we continue to leverage both dollars and expertise to the maximum benefit possible. In recent years, CDRF has received co-funding from Dairy Management Inc./National Dairy Council, Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc., Nestlé, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). In addition to these investments, in 2022, CDRF partnered with CDFA, several industry organizations, and other supporters, to apply for a major USDA grant. CDRF and collaborators were awarded the grant of up to $85 million by the USDA through its Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities Program. This award will support AMMP-related projects and activities focused on building climate-smart dairy markets and provide financial incentives for California dairy producers to reduce both methane emissions and nitrogen surplus. These projects will also leverage matching funding from non-federal sources. Please see the following pages for the outline of our focus areas, a brief proposal for each of the 2023 research projects in our portfolio, and our proposed budget for the 2023 fiscal year. On behalf of the CDRF Board of Directors and staff, I look forward to your input and the opportunity to continue to support our California dairy farmers.

Thank you,

Denise Mullinax Executive Director

CDRF 2023 Proposed Projects and Budget Request