The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy announced its sixth annual U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards in Chicago last month. The program recognizes dairy farms, businesses and partnerships whose practices improve the well-being of people, animals and the planet.
From left: Matt Oesch and Annie Link representing SwissLane Farms; Kyle Powell representing Kroger Company of Michigan, Ken Nobis and Sheila Burkhardt representing MMPA; and William Kerr, Joseph Mounger and Cathy Blankenship representing Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.
GreenStone customer SwissLane Farms, of Alto, Michigan, won a national award for Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability?; one of three winners in that category. The operation is 23 miles from downtown Grand Rapids, the second-largest city in the state, which poses both pressures from urban sprawl and opportunities to reach people several generations removed from the farm.
Since 2006, SwissLane’s Dairy Discovery program has offered farm tours, reaching more than 36,000 students, teachers and families. They have plenty to demonstrate when it comes to sustainable practices. After a farm energy audit, they made improvements that reduced energy costs by 17% per cow. They also took steps to become verified through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program so neighbors continue to see results.
Congratulations, SwissLane Farms!
Meet the other award winners by visiting Undeniably Dairy's website.
From left: Matt Oesch and Annie Link representing SwissLane Farms; Kyle Powell representing Kroger Company of Michigan, Ken Nobis and Sheila Burkhardt representing MMPA; and William Kerr, Joseph Mounger and Cathy Blankenship representing Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.
GreenStone customer SwissLane Farms, of Alto, Michigan, won a national award for Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability?; one of three winners in that category. The operation is 23 miles from downtown Grand Rapids, the second-largest city in the state, which poses both pressures from urban sprawl and opportunities to reach people several generations removed from the farm.
Since 2006, SwissLane’s Dairy Discovery program has offered farm tours, reaching more than 36,000 students, teachers and families. They have plenty to demonstrate when it comes to sustainable practices. After a farm energy audit, they made improvements that reduced energy costs by 17% per cow. They also took steps to become verified through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program so neighbors continue to see results.
Congratulations, SwissLane Farms!
Meet the other award winners by visiting Undeniably Dairy's website.
