[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 105 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF GIACOMAZZI DAIRY

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 22, 2018

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Giacomazzi Dairy 
as it celebrates its 125th year of continuous operations producing milk 
in Kings County, California.
  Founded by Luigi Giacomazzi, an immigrant from Moghegno, Ticino, 
Switzerland, Giacomazzi Dairy opened on property acquired from Southern 
Pacific Rail Road Company in 1893, the same year Kings County was 
formed. Mr. Giacomazzi developed the land and founded the dairy with 
just ten cows producing butter and cheese that he sold to locals and 
Chinese railroad workers.
  After marrying his wife, the former Gilia Pincini, Mr. Giacomazzi 
built their farm and dairy with the help of their four children: 
Florinda, Louis, Jr., Stephen, and Fred.
  In 1923, Giacomazzi Dairy became the first dairy to install milking 
machines in the region. These revolutionary machines simultaneously 
milked four cows. By 1937, Giacomazzi Dairy constructed their third 
Grade A barn in Kings County. Technological advances enabled the 
Giacomazzis to milk forty-two cows at a time.
  Louis, Jr., Stephen, and Fred formed a new partnership--Giacomazzi 
Brothers--with each sibling handling a distinct aspect of operations. 
Once considered the largest dairy operation in the southern Central 
Valley region, Giacomazzi Brothers dissolved the partnership in 1969, 
however, Fred Giacomazzi continued to operate the dairy, purchasing 
land from the partnership.
  Joined by his son, Donald in 1974, Fred increased the dairy's herd to 
350 cows with approximately 300 acres of farmland. In 1985, the 
Giacomazzi Dairy herd grew to 600 cows and its farming operation 
expanded to 500 acres.
  Don and his wife Jackie, had four children: Gina, Dino, Cara, and 
Mia. In 2003, Dino returned to the farm after working thirteen years in 
the music and internet industries. Two years later, Dino married his 
wife, the former Julie Friebe, and took over day-to-day management and 
operations of the farm. Since assuming operations, Dino has expanded 
the herd to 1,000 cows on 1,000 acres, including 375 acres planted with 
almond trees.
  Beginning with its first milking machine in 1923, Giacomazzi Dairy 
has established itself as a leader in agriculture innovation.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in congratulating the Giacomazzi Dairy, 
Kings County's longest, continuously-operating dairy, on its 125th year 
of producing milk.

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