The California Poultry Federation 2013 Annual Conference, attended by industry leaders, decision makers and affiliates, offered a relevant line-up of speakers at its recent meeting September 19 in Monterey, California. Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of the American Humane Association, opened up the afternoon Conference by addressing what AHA is all about, and its importance in this time of transparency in animal agriculture and consumer attitudes. Mike Brown, president of the National Chicken Council and Joel Brandenberger, president of the National Turkey Federation, combined messages pertaining to where the poultry industry is headed, challenges facing the industry and economic outlooks. Ira Brill, Director of Communications for Foster Farms, reviewed the results of recent research done with consumers concerning trust and trends of the U.S. food supply.
Click here for photos from the event.
CPF honors industry members at Conference Banquet
Following the afternoon Conference, attendees and guests enjoyed a reception and banquet dinner, where some of the industry’s top members were honored. The Modesto-based trade association presented awards to the industry’s most outstanding member, the top allied member and also honored an industry pioneer.
Golden Rooster Award 
(from left) Richie King, Foster Farms; Michelle Ganci, CSU Fresno; Bill Mattos, California Poultry Federation
The Golden Rooster Award is the California poultry industry’s highest honor. It is meant for a distinct individual–one who has made major contributions to the industry and is an inspiration for all. This year, the CPF Awards Committee unanimously voted to award Michelle Ganci of California State University-Fresno, this coveted distinction.
Ganci has worked in the poultry industry, earning experiences in food safety, quality assurance, quality control, public relations and animal welfare during her career. Concurrently, she taught animal science classes at the junior college level, and in 2005, started a poultry production program at Fresno State. Ganci has built one of California’s premier agricultural schools into a place where poultry students can get a hands-on education with jobs waiting for them after graduation. She was instrumental in bringing a Foster Farms Poultry Education and Research Facility to the campus March, 2013. This grow-out chicken facility meets all the standards of the American Humane Association and every chicken grown there is American Humane Certified. The CPF Awards Committee presented Ganci with a commemorative plaque and a resolution from her district Assembly member.
Pioneer Award 
(from left) Richie King, Foster Farms, Mary Pitman, Rick Pitman, Hillari Pitman, David Pitman, Ben Pitman, all of Pitman Family Farms and Bill Mattos, California Poultry Federation
The Pioneer Award honors a man, woman and/or family in “recognition of their outstanding contributions and dedication to California’s dynamic poultry industry.” Pitman Family Farms was honored this year as a pioneer in the poultry industry. The company was founded in 1954 with the raising of free range turkeys in California’s Central Valley. Don Pitman was a long time member of the California Turkey Industry Federation and led the organization as its leader into the prime of his life. He was witty, colorful, provocative and enthusiastic, always looking out for what was best for the California industry. Don’s son, Rick, has continued his father’s vision to this day by raising turkeys, chickens, ducks and geese. Rick’s wife, Mary, was the inspiration behind the Pitman Family Farm’s key name brand (Mary’s), and has been involved in all facets of the family business, and helped drive her family towards the healthiest and most humanely raised poultry available. Pitman Family Farms is the first poultry company to add the NON GMO Project logo on their Mary’s Chicken labels. Rick and Mary’s children, David, Mark and Ben, are the third generation of Pitmans involved in the family business.
Allied Member of the Year Award
(from left) Richie King, Foster Farms; Michelle Ganci, CSU Fresno; Bill Mattos, California Poultry Federation
The Allied Member of the Year award is meant for a person for their exceptional service and outstanding contributions to the poultry industry. Allied members help sustain the industry by contributing at board meetings and poultry events; their contributions go directly to the promotion and improvement of the poultry industry in the Golden State. This year’s honoree, Bob Ickes, has served California with distinction and was chosen unanimously by the Awards Committee. Ickes’ career in the poultry industry began in 1974, culminating with his success at Cobb-Vantress, Inc. Ickes is responsible for managing Cobb-Vantress, Inc. Southwest Regional sales efforts west of the Mississippi all the way to the West Coast. This includes 16 companies, 48 complexes and nine corporate offices. He is responsible for the sales budget, sales forecast, customer information updates and product placement of all customers in the region. Cobb is the world’s oldest poultry breeding company and has developed into the global leader in broiler breeding.
Thank you to the 2013 CPF Annual Conference Sponsors
*Diamond Club*
AGRECOM Inc.; Darling International; International Paper; Wells Fargo Bank; Zoetis
*Gold Club*
Adisseo; Alltech; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Bunge North America; DuPont; Evonik Industries; Foster Farms; Lohman Animal Health; Marel Stork Poultry Processing; Merck Animal Health; Petaluma Poultry Processors; Phibro Animal Health; Rabobank, N.A.; Tipper Tie; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc./Rainbow Farms; Veterinary Service, Inc.
*Silver Club*
American AgCredit; Animal Health International, Inc.; Archer Daniels Midland Company; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Bayer Health Care; Big Dutchman; Billington Welding & Mfg, Inc.; BJK Flexible Packaging; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Diamond V; Elanco Animal Health; Grimaud Farms of California, Inc.; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; J.S. West and Companies; Jamesway Incubator Company Inc.; Jones-Hamilton Ag Division; Kemin Industries; Label Technology; Lubing Systems; Maple Leaf Farms West; Merial Select, Inc.; Meyn America LLC; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Family Farms; Poly-clip System; Preserve International; Quality Technology International; Shepard Bros.; Strand Ag Supply; United States Cold Storage of CA; Volk Enterprises Inc.; Zinpro Corporation