We are honored to recognize Dayna Ghirardelli as our Protect The Harvest Friend of the Land for August 2024. Dayna currently serves as the Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, where she leverages her lifelong passion for agriculture and extensive experience to advocate for local farmers and ranchers. Raised on a family dairy farm in Petaluma, California, Dayna developed a deep understanding of the challenges and demands of the agricultural industry from an early age. She pursued her passion for agriculture at Chico State, where she graduated with a degree in animal industry, combining her expertise in animal science with a solid foundation in agricultural business.
Dayna’s career has been marked by her dedication to protecting and supporting local agriculture. She began her professional journey at the University of California Cooperative Extension, where she focused on environmental regulations and compliance for dairy farms, helping them navigate complex regulatory landscapes. Her commitment to agriculture then led her to a consulting role, where she assisted dairy farms with water quality permits and organic transitions, furthering her impact on sustainable farming practices. Dayna’s experience expanded over 12 years in producer relations at Clover Sonoma, where she strengthened relationships between producers and the dairy industry.
In 2020, Dayna took on the role of Director of Producer Relations at the California Milk Advisory Board, where she continued to be a fierce advocate for dairy producers across the state. Her leadership skills and dedication to the agricultural community culminated in her appointment as Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau in 2022.
In her current role, Dayna is a vocal and passionate opponent of regulatory measures that threaten the livelihood of local farms and ranches. She has been particularly outspoken against Sonoma County’s Measure J, which poses significant challenges to family farms. Dayna’s leadership is guided by a deep commitment to protecting Sonoma County’s rural landscape, supporting local agriculture, and safeguarding food production—an essential part of the community’s heritage and economy.
Dayna’s contributions to agriculture extend beyond her direct advocacy. She is deeply involved in community and state-level initiatives, working tirelessly to ensure that the voices of local farmers and ranchers are heard and respected in policy-making processes. Her dedication to Sonoma County’s agricultural community has made her a respected leader and a trusted voice for rural America. Dayna’s passion for agriculture and her unwavering commitment to her community perfectly embodies the spirit of the Friend of the Land award. We extend our deepest gratitude to Dayna Ghirardelli for her remarkable contributions, which continue to inspire and sustain A Free and Fed AmericaTM
