2024 May Board Book

2024 - 2028 CDRF Strategic Plan

INTRODUCTION This Strategic Business Plan represents an updated and refreshed version of the California Dairy Research Foundation’s (CDRF) vision and direction for the next five years (2024-2028). CDRF is a non-profit 501C3 public research management corporation. It supports the dairy industry’s sustainability commitment for socially responsible, economically viable, and environmentally sound dairy through its management of targeted research and science-based educational programs. Its strategic objectives align with the fundamental goals of the industry: to promote and protect the safe and sustainable production and consumption of milk and dairy products. This plan’s objective is to provide a strategic vision for the most effective use of CDRF’s resources to best address the needs of the California dairy industry. The long-term sustainability of the California dairy industry depends on its ability to respond to future opportunities and risks. Key elements for ongoing success include the industry’s capacity to adapt to change, innovate, and improve competitiveness based on efficient use of available resources. CDRF’s overarching goals for dairy industry sustainability include: • Healthy people and animals • Healthy environment • Healthy industry economy Through this perspective, the organization evaluates and supports critical scientific research and education projects to pave the way for a resilient and thriving California dairy industry. CDRF’s primary role is to fund and manage research and education programs that provide the California dairy industry with the most current technical and science-based information. CDRF monitors and translates existing scientific outcomes and seeks to fill scientific knowledge gaps by funding high-quality research with high-impact results. Functionally, CDRF accomplishes its mission and objectives through close collaboration and alignment with other key dairy industry organizations and by serving as the bridge between scientists and the dairy industry. In addition to its funding and management roles, CDRF also develops, monitors, interprets, and communicates science for various stakeholders. Partner organizations utilize this information to communicate with customers and consumers, inform new uses for milk and dairy products, and make critical dairy business decisions.

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