[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 135 (Thursday, October 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF CURTI FAMILY INC., CURTIMADE DAIRY INC. & CURTI TERRA 
                                  INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2013

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I, along with my colleague Representative 
Devin G. Nunes, rise today to honor the Curti family, celebrating their 
100 year anniversary as an integral part of the dairy and farming 
industry in the Central Valley of California.
  Miro Curti emigrated from Italy and began dairying in 1910. In 1913, 
Miro and his wife Domenica moved their 32-cow dairy operation to 
Waukena, California.
  Miro played an important role in the local dairy industry and was a 
valued member of the local community. He was a director of Dairyman's 
Cooperative Creamery Association, a trustee of Waukena grade school, an 
active member of the Sons of Italy, and in 1969, he was named the first 
``Farmer of the Year'' for the Tulare District.
  In 1975, Miro and Domenica passed away, leaving Curti Farms to be 
managed by their three sons, Amelio, Italo, and Leo. The three sons 
continued to grow the business and eventually Curtmaid Holsteins gained 
a reputation across the nation for their superior herd genetics. They 
mastered on farm embryo transfers and began exporting cattle 
internationally to Saudi Arabia, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. The family 
was again recognized for their contribution to the local agriculture 
community when, in 1984, Amelio was honored with Tulare's ``Farmer of 
the Year'' award.
  As the Curti family dairy continued to succeed, they were able to 
start a second dairy in 1988 and a third in 2002. The third dairy 
consists of over 500 Jersey milk cows. The third generation of Curti's 
are carrying on the family tradition of dairying and farming. Today the 
Curti family dairies consist of Curtimade Dairy, owned by Ben Curti, 
Curti Family, Inc., owned by Phillip Curti, and Curti Terra Inc., owned 
by Ken Curti. In 2005 Ben, Phillip, Ken, and Jeff Curti were honored 
with Tulare's ``Farmer of the Year.''
  Today, the Curti family dairy operations consist of a mixed Holstein 
and Jersey herd along with the farming of alfalfa, corn, and wheat at 
Curtimade Dairy, Inc., a second mixed Holstein and Jersey herd at Curti 
Family Inc., along with farming alfalfa, corn, and wheat. In addition 
to their dairy facilities they have a third diversified farming 
operation of pistachios, wheat, cotton, alfalfa, and beans at Curti 
Terra Inc.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that Mr. Nunes and I recognize 
the Curti family for their extraordinary impact on the farming industry 
in Central California and congratulate them on a century of successful 
business and farming.

                          ____________________