[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 117 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE DeBERNARDI FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the 
Honorable Jared Huffman to honor Don and Bonnie DeBernardi and their 
family for their immense contribution to the dairy industry in Sonoma 
County. The DeBernardi family is being honored as the Farm Family of 
the Year by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau.
  Mr. and Ms. DeBernardi are first generation dairy farmers who entered 
the profession and lifestyle in the hills of Goat Rock in Sonoma 
County, California in 1968. They have been producing cows' milk since 
then and in the late 1990s added goats to their farm. Mr. DeBernardi 
followed the footsteps of his Swiss ancestors and began producing their 
Tomme-style Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese and expanding the DeBernardi 
Dairy franchise. They currently have 2,000 acres of owned or leased 
farmland, which is home to their 700 organic cows and 200 goats.
  Mr. and Ms. DeBernardi are active members of our community. They are 
longtime contributors of 4H, FFA, Petaluma High School and Tomales High 
School. Mr. DeBernardi sits on the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Board of 
Directors and is a member of the Western United Dairymen, Druids, Elks, 
Nicasio Native Sons and the Petaluma Golf and Country Club. Ms. 
DeBernardi is a founding member of the North Bay Dairy Women and a 
member of St. Vincent de Paul Church. Mr. DeBernardi was an early 
supporter of the annual Artisan Cheese Festival and DeBernardi Dairy 
frequently participates in the community event. In 1979, DeBernardi 
Dairy was honored as the Dairy of the Year by the Sonoma County Fair.
  Today the DeBernardi Dairy has three generations actively 
participating on the family farm. The entire family shares Mr. and Ms. 
DeBernardi's passion for the dairy industry and our community. Mr. and 
Ms. DeBernardi are dedicated stewards of the land and hardworking and 
passionate people.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. and Ms. DeBernardi and the entire DeBernardi family 
have made important contributions to our community. It is therefore 
fitting and proper that we honor them here today.