Daniel J. Merkley
A respected policy advocate, Daniel Merkley has represented farmers and ranchers on matters of water rights, water quality, groundwater and surface water development.
Danny served as director of water resources for the California Farm Bureau for 15 years, representing Farm Bureau before the state Legislature and regulatory agencies. Prior to joining Farm Bureau, he worked as district director for Rep. Dan Lungren of Gold River.
As agricultural liaison for the chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, Danny specialized in water rights and water quality issues, and carried farmers’ and ranchers’ concerns to regional and state water boards. Earlier, he served as agricultural commissioner liaison with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
A fourth-generation Sacramento Valley farmer, Danny grew processing tomatoes, wheat, corn, vineseed and other annual crops with his family in Solano and Yolo counties. He is a former board member of the California Irrigation Institute, California Crop Improvement Association and California Tomato Research Institute, and served as chair of the Grower Relations Committee for Tri Valley Growers and president of the Dixon Fertilizer Cooperative. Active in other agricultural and community organizations, Danny majored in Farm Management at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and graduated from the California Agricultural Leadership Program.
Danny and his wife, Julie, enjoy growing winegrapes, making wine, canning, riding Harleys, playing golf and hunting.