California Gold Members Favor Merger

Ninety-six percent of the Petaluma-based California Gold Dairy Products membership have cast ballots deciding to merge with Missouri-based Dairy Farmers of America, the country's largest milk marketer.

An overwhelming 85%of the members voted to approve the merger. The merger will take effect upon completion of all necessary documentation at which time the cooperative's assets and plant operations in Petaluma, Tracy, Turlock and Hughson, CA, will be transferred to DFA.

As a result of the merger, California Gold will become an operating region within DFA and the interests of its 330 members will be represented through the governance of an area council covering California and Northern Nevada. In addition, California Gold board members will become a part of the DFA Board of Directors until 2001.

"We believed that a merger with DFA was the best business option for our members. The resounding response in favor of the merger shows our members obviously agree,'' said Richard Sturgeon, president & CEO, California Gold.