A message from Rick: On May 15, 2013, with great pleasure, I began work as Executive Director of the Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (WODPA).
WODPA’s mission is to preserve, protect, and ensure the sustainability and integrity of organic dairy farming across the West. As Executive Director, I am responsible for furthering that mission by working with the Board of Directors and State Representatives to manage and develop the organization. Our ultimate goal is a sound, vibrant, sustainable organic dairy sector.
I retired from the USDA in late 2009 with nearly 34 years of experience serving American Agriculture through various USDA positions and programs; including about 11 years in leadership positions with the National Organic Program.
So why would I take on this position? Developing the access to pasture rule drew me close to the organic dairy sector where I had the pleasure of working closely with many of the sector’s good people. That experience instilled a keen desire to see organic dairying thrive. WODPA has that same desire. Accordingly, I want to use my skills and knowledge to help WODPA in its quest to make its mission a reality. Not only do I look forward to working with the WODPA membership, I also look forward to working closely with Ed Maltby and the rest of NODPA’s leadership.
To access WODPA website please go to: http://www.wodpa.org/index.html
