By special invitation, the Sustainability Council participated in a dialogue with White House and administration staff as part of the March Sustainability Council meeting in Washington, D.C. The conversation focused on the sustainability efforts of the U.S. dairy industry. Hosted by Doug McKalip, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Policy Advisor for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Erin Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President of Sustainability for Dairy Management Inc™ and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, members of the Sustainability Council sat on panels alongside White House and administration staff for the group discussion and Q&A.
Cecilia Muñoz, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, provided opening remarks on behalf of President Obama. Muñoz shared with the audience that a robust exchange of views is required between those doing the work and those in administration in order to advance the administration's work. Muñoz also acknowledged that rural America is central to our country's economic well-being, that farms should be celebrated for their gains in efficiency and productivity, and that the administration also is aware of the challenges and potential of rural America.
The first panel discussion focused on improving sustainability while strengthening local economies and featured:
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