Brent plays an active role on Organic Valley’s On-Farm Sustainability Committee. So it makes sense that the Beidlers’ continuous improvement ethic means always asking themselves: How can we make/do/educate better? Like when they began looking at their energy use and the sources of that energy. How did that fit in with their values? It didn’t. Working with a nearby renewable energy cooperative, they installed a solar panel array on their barn that provides most of the energy for their farm.

Back in the late ’70s, Joe left the conventional family farm he grew up on and bought his own farm. Since then, he’s been the “first on his block” in every way, including sustainability. Recently they installed a 34kW solar electric system with the help of the sustainability department’s energy and grant services programs, and a USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant of $19,000. The system offsets 90+% of their farm energy usage, with a “project payback” in just 9.4 years.

The Ihms have worked closely with Organic Valley’s Sustainability Team to develop alternative energy on their farm, which makes good sense on their ridgetop acreage. In 2011, they installed a 21.5kW solar electric system in the hen paddock. Not only does it produce all the power needed for the chicken barn, but it produces excess to sell back to the local utility. The hens were pretty happy, too, since the panels provide more shade for the birds on the hottest summer days.

Son of long-time Organic Valley farmer owners David and Susan Hardy, Aaron and his wife Sarah now operate Arabeth Farm—a start-up, certified organic, grassfed beef farm. This is the most ecologically sound, humane and sustainable way to raise cattle. Organic Valley’s Sustainability team helped them identify and pursue grant sources to help build their dream. They received a New York State New Farmers Grant of $50,000 to assist with the construction of a cattle barn, purchase of a skid steer and new pasture fencing.

Leon Corse is the fifth generation of Corses on their 400-acre farm in southern Vermont. They have received countless top quality awards for their milk, but they never stop innovating around how to make the farm ever better. With the help of a USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant $23,917, they installed a 32.37kW solar electric system to offset 130% of the farm’s annual nonrenewable electricity consumption resulting in an annual energy cost savings of more than 100%. Their project costs will be recouped in four and half years, which guarantees them 25+ years of free and clean, renewable energy!

Susan Pierson says, “We want to do what works best for our farm, which is why we’re organic. But thanks to Organic Valley’s sustainability department, we were able to get grants to help us expand our vision by installing a 30kW solar electric system that offsets 10% of the farm’s annual nonrenewable electricity consumption.” Steve, who served on Organic Valley’s board of directors for six years, adds, “It’s just another part of our whole philosophy about the environment.” The Pierson’s received a USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant of $29,585.

Robin and Karen farm 3,000 acres of certified organic hay and grain near rural Crookston, MN. As high-quality, conscientious producers, the Brekkens are used to awards and rewards, but this third generation farmer doesn’t rest on those laurels. Sustainability’s Resource Development Program helped Robin secure more than $350,000 in grants from USDA and the state of Minnesota to purchase and develop a value-added feed pelletizing system that will turn potential crop losses of $230,000 into a potential financial gain of $460,000. Pelletizing existing raw products will allow Brekken to access new markets within the organic industry—increasing and diversifying farm revenue. Innovation at its best!

Rick turned his drive and intelligence toward energy use on his farm with an eye to reducing consumption of non-renewable energy. Rick’s local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conducted an energy audit of his farm that gave him a roadmap to reducing inefficiencies. Once he implemented recommended upgrades, Rick worked with Organic Valley’s Sustainability Department to find funding for renewable, sustainable sources of energy, to help limit the use of fossil fuels on his farm. They were able to secure more than $63,000 in grant funding and technical assistance to install a solar electric system that provides almost 75% of the farm’s electricity needs.

This innovative dairy farmer has looked into every corner of his 400-plus-acre farm in the Coon Creek watershed of Northeast Iowa for ways to make it better, safer and more efficient. Rick has also put significant effort into managing his woodlands. He planted 23 acres of new forest and implemented forest stand improvements on 100 acres of existing forest. This type of “carbon farming” removes large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil and trees. Rick also added “silvopasturing” to his managed grazing program, a practice that allows his cows to graze through a developing forest.

Organic Valley’s Sustainability Team partnered with Humboldt County, California to prepare and submit a grant application on behalf of California Organic Valley Grassmilk producer, Jim Regli.

As a result, the Reglis and their beautiful Jerseys were awarded a $533,141 California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) grant, along with an additional $200,073 from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

What’s the money for?

Recent legislation in the State of California mandates that dairy and livestock farms reduce methane emissions by 40 percent by the year 2030. Since the two main sources of methane emissions on a dairy farm are manure and cow burps, the focus of current projects is on reducing emissions from manure management systems and from, well, the cows themselves (thanks to their special four-stomach digestive arrangement).

The projects implemented on the Reglis’s farm will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve water quality and soil health. We are delighted to contribute to the environmental integrity and economic strength of the dairy industry in California. 

Since the mid-1990s, Kevin and his father, Ken, have intensively grazed their herd of 120 Holsteins on 326 acres. All the farm’s acreage that is not hardwood forest is dedicated to pasture.

Carbon gases are a leading cause of climate change, but well-managed, organic grassland pulls carbon gas from the atmosphere and sequesters it in the soil and plant roots.

The farm’s long history of managed grazing and pasture improvements has resulted in a 67% increase in soil organic matter, demonstrating the power of pasture to sequester carbon. The managed hardwood forest provides additional carbon sequestration, as well as biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Kevin’s belief in advancing the science behind organic agriculture led him to collaborate with University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Minnesota, Penn State University and University of New Hampshire on organic research projects and the development of research priorities.

Kevin has advocated for policy support of both organic and grass-based agriculture at the state and federal level. He educates tirelessly and is a frequent speaker at various conferences. His strong impactful advocacy for the organic community is truly inspiring.