[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      HONORING JOSEPH GALLO FARMS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joseph Gallo Farms 
of Atwater for being named the 1999 Baker, Peterson & Franklin Ag 
Business Award. Joseph Gallo Farms is being honored on November 17, 
1999 at the AgFRESNO Farm Equipment Exposition luncheon.
  Joseph Gallo Farms (JGF), family-owned and operated by CEO and co-
owner Michael Gallo was named the nation's largest dairy by Successful 
Farming in 1995. JGF was founded in 1946; they operate 12,000 acres of 
land, raising 25,000 head of cattle on five dairies and 2,500 acres of 
wine grapes, Joseph Gallo Farms also produces a wide array of Joseph 
Farms cheeses, which are sold in more than 20 states and in five 
countries internationally. JGF has played a significant role in cheese 
becoming the fastest-growing dairy product in California, now the 
second leading state in cheese production.
  Joseph Gallo Farms is leading the way in its ``Environmentally-
Compatible Farming,'' finding land usage compromises to benefit both 
agriculture and the surrounding natural environment. Operating within 
the San Joaquin Valley Grasslands, one of the most critical wetland 
areas left in California, JGF seeks to protect the environment while 
still conducting its farming affairs. For these efforts, JGF received 
an environmental award from the Central Valley Joint Habitat in 1996. 
JGF has created its own internal Department of Environmental Affairs to 
ensure that all operations remain compatible with critical habitat 
values. With the consumer concern over the rBST/rBGH controversy, JGF 
made the unprecedented decision to stop using all artificial hormones 
on its dairy herd, becoming the first cheese producer nationwide to 
receive governmental approval to label its premium cheese as have ``No 
Artificial Hormones.''
  Mr. Speaker, the Ag Business Award is given to an agricultural 
organization whose achievements and impact have significantly 
contributed to the industry and the Center Valley; Joseph Gallo Farms 
is a excellent representation of this. I congratulate JGF for their 
accomplishments in the cheese and agriculture business. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in wishing Joseph Gallo Farms many more years of 
continued success.

                          ____________________