Santa Rosa’s Mello Dairy has been named the 2015 Dairy of the Year for the North Bay region. The family-owned dairy was selected for ranch appearance, herd management and leadership in the dairy industry and community.
Sonoma County Fair and area dairymen and women will present the honor in loving memory of Edward J. Maddalena during the Open Dairy Show, Saturday, August 8th, 2015 and the recipients will also be recognized during Farmer’s Day at the Sonoma County Fair, Sunday, July 26th in Chris Beck Arena.
Albert and Vicki mark the third generation of dairy farmers in the Mello family. The pair was introduced in 1982 on a blind date and soon after Albert, the dairy farmer, married Vicki, the Petaluma city girl.
“The only animals I knew how to raise were a cat and dog,” says Vicki Mello. “Now, I raise all the calves for the dairy by myself. We’ve had 33 years in business, so I guess it’s worked out".
Growing up on his parents Santa Rosa farm, Albert worked the dairy from childhood. He was a member of 4-H and FFA and showed lambs and beef cattle at the Sonoma County Fair. In 1979, Albert took over operations from his father, beginning with just 11 cows. He and Vicki now have a herd of 275, all of which were born on the ranch. In 2007, they transitioned their herd to Certified Organic and today ship their milk to Wallaby Yogurt Company in American Canyon.
"We always pastured, never used pesticides and found homeopathic cures that work great. We know that if you take good care of your animals, they will take good care of you,” says Albert.
For Albert and Vicki, family tradition and preserving the county’s dairy heritage are high priorities. Their three children were raised on the ranch and each showed animals at the fair. Their son Mike now owns an organic dairy next to theirs. They believe it’s important for all kids to see where their food comes from and regularly open their farm to school children. Albert is active with Western United Dairymen, Native Sons of the Golden West, and the Sonoma County Farm Bureau as part of the Animal Resource Committee, which helps to monitor water quality in the county. Vicki belongs to California Women for Agriculture and North Bay Dairy Women.
The Mello’s longtime commitment to the industry has earned widespread respect from their peers. The Sonoma County Fair is pleased to name Mello Dairy the 2015 Outstanding Dairy of the Year.
Join in the fun of “Down on the Farm” during the 2015 Sonoma County Fair from July 24th – August 9th, 2015, closed on Mondays.
Enjoy live horse racing, a giant carnival, the awesome Hall of Flowers, live entertainment, fair food, fun contests and games. For details, visit SonomaCountyFair.com or call (707) 545-4200. Like the fair on Facebook to keep up with all the fair fun.
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