Your 1 Click Supports 1,000 Trees: Be Part of the Change

You can do your part to promote biodiversity, improve air quality and benefit animals big and small simply by clicking!

If you haven’t heard, Organic Valley is hosting a Happy Cow Showdown, where you get to vote for the cow you think is the happiest. On top of the fun, once we hit 10,000 votes, we’ll plant 1,000 trees on our farms to create even happier habitats.

Planting trees is nothing new on Organic Valley farms. So, what are the advantages of trees on farms?

Riparian Zones and Silvopasture

The Mallonee family recently finished a massive project, planting a total of 8,000 trees and shrubs on its western Washington dairy farm. They did have help as 8,000 trees is quite an undertaking! The purpose was to protect water and soil and promote a biodiverse habitat.

The family planted trees and shrubs in the riparian zone — the area adjacent to fresh water — along the south fork of the Chehalis River, which flows through their Organic Valley farm and eventually empties into the Pacific Ocean.

Along with other eco-friendly results, the project will help the river maintain cool water temperatures. By shading the water, the trees encourage nonnative fish, such as bass that prey on native species, to move downstream toward warmer areas. This creates a more favorable habitat for native fish, including salmon, steelhead and trout.

The tree seedlings are too little to benefit the cows now, but areas could someday accommodate silvopasture — the thoughtful pairing of trees, pasture and grazing animals like cows and sheep to create a healthy (and comfortable) ecosystem.

Silvopasture provides shade for animals on hot days and windbreaks on cold, blustery ones. Several Organic Valley farmers have created silvopasture on their farms.

The trees impact soil health — our farmers are passionate about soil — and are important in reducing water runoff.

Farmers across the country are taking part in this eco-friendly practice, including Organic Valley farmers in southwest Wisconsin who recently planted hundreds of seedlings. Over 10 years, those 1,100 tree seedlings will sequester an estimated 66.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Advantages of Trees

For our animal friends, trees provide food, shelter and protection from predators. Birds build their nests on the outside, while squirrels and bugs are just a few of the animals that make their homes inside. Across the globe, you’ll find koalas, monkeys and even kangaroos living in trees!

Many types of pollinators like bees, butterflies and moths live in or around trees, too. Not only do trees provide a habitat for these forest pollinators, but certain trees are also important sources of nectar for them.

Of course, tree fruits, nuts, seeds, leaves, sap and bark are important food for a number of animals. 

Take a Breath, Exhale and Thank a Tree

Trees store carbon dioxide in their fibers, helping to clean the air and reduce the negative effects that CO2 could have had on our environment. It's not every day we think about photosynthesis but it’s pretty important! This is the process of leaves pulling in carbon dioxide and water and releasing oxygen.

Along with impacting our physical well-being, trees can benefit our mental health. They can improve mood, reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Let’s not forget trees are simply beautiful! Take a moment, be present and really look at a tree and realize all the benefits.

Your Vote Matters!

Organic Valley farmers care about the land and animals that provide for them. They are dedicated to protecting where your food comes from. They realize the necessity of trees and working with nature, not against it. Give them the opportunity to plant 1,000 more by taking part in the Happy Cow Showdown.

All Organic Valley® products are sustainably made without toxic pesticides, synthetic hormones, antibiotics or GMOs.

Now go vote!

Keep tabs on the winning cow and number of people who voted in the Happy Cow Showdown through the end of the month. We will reveal the winner on May 28.

Astonishing update. Within five days of opening the Happy Cow Showdown, you crushed it! We surpassed 10,000 votes and 1,000 trees will be planted on our farms to create happier habitat for cows, birds, pollinators and other critters. But that doesn't mean the competition has ended. Keep the votes coming!

------------------------------------------------------------------------