Learn how Ben & Jerry’s is changing dairy farming to fight climate change. Can new methods on U.S. farms reduce emissions by 50% in three years?

Ben & Jerry’s, a company that transcends ice cream, stands as a beacon of hope in the global fight for social justice and environmental sustainability. With its unwavering commitment, the company is actively combating climate change through innovative dairy farming techniques, offering a promising future for our planet.

A significant initiative is the Caring Dairy program, which focuses on: 

• Supporting farmers and farmworkers
• Ensuring excellent animal welfare
• Improving soil health through regenerative practices

“We don’t believe animal agriculture, especially dairy, is inherently bad for the environment. We’re working to dispel these environmental myths,” says Rebecca Manning, Ben & Jerry’s Low Carbon Dairy project coordinator.

Revolutionizing Dairy: Ben & Jerry’s Multilayered Approach to Sustainable Agriculture

Active throughout Europe and the United States, the Caring Dairy campaign is a shining example of Ben & Jerry’s unwavering dedication to transforming the dairy sector. Recognizing their essential part in our food system, this program supports strong livelihoods for farmers and farmworkers via strict criteria and substantial assistance. This dedication inspires all who strive for a more sustainable future, instilling confidence in our collective efforts.

The program’s foundation is animal welfare. Through G.A.P. accreditation and third-party audits, Ben & Jerry’s guarantees humane methods that promote cattle welfare and boost dairy production results by maintaining high standards.

Another significant emphasis is soil health. The Caring Dairy project seeks to revitalize land and enhance soil conditions using cover crops, low tillage, and low synthetic inputs. These regenerative techniques improve carbon storage and soil respiration and help lessen climate change’s effects.

The Caring Dairy initiative seeks to create an ethical and sustainable dairy business, mirroring Ben & Jerry’s commitment to social justice and environmental responsibility.

Recognizing the Urgency: Ben & Jerry’s Ambitious Low Carbon Dairy Pilot

Two years ago, Ben & Jerry’s started its Low Carbon Dairy pilot project to acknowledge the need to stop climate change. This project seeks to introduce environmentally friendly methods into the dairy sector. Rebecca Manning, the project coordinator, leads this attempt to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve agricultural sustainability.

Mandy: Bridging Agrarian Roots with Modern Environmental Stewardship

From northwest Vermont, Mandy combines contemporary environmental responsibility with agricultural origins. Focusing on lowering the carbon footprints of seven U.S. dairy farms using CO2e measurements per kilogram of fat-protein-adjusted milk, she coordinates Ben & Jerry’s Low Carbon Dairy effort. This statistic offers a clear standard that helps farmers find areas needing work. Under her direction, farms using data-driven insights reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve viability.

From the rural settings of northwest Vermont, Mandy is the classic farm girl who has deftly combined modern environmental responsibility with her agricultural background. Her close awareness of the rhythms of farm life and strong dedication to sustainability prepare her well for her position as project coordinator of Ben & Jerry’s Low Carbon Dairy project. Tasked with the enormous aim of addressing and lowering the carbon footprints of seven U.S. dairy farms, Mandy uses a precise method.

Her approach is based mainly on carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) measurements per kilogram of milk adjusted for fat-protein. This statistic offers a constant baseline for many farms and helps each one pinpoint certain areas needing work. Under Mandy’s direction, the farms have started a path wherein data-driven insights guide sustainable practices, promoting decreased greenhouse gas emissions and improving general agricultural profitability.

Changing the Narrative: Ben & Jerry’s Commitment to Sustainable Dairy Farming

Ben & Jerry’s is contesting the conventional wisdom that holds dairy production detrimental to the environment. The business firmly believes that dairy can contribute to developing sustainable food systems using the correct methods. Ben & Jerry’s Low Carbon Dairy initiative and Caring Dairy program seek to demonstrate how dairy farms may be environmental stewards, instilling a sense of optimism and hope for the future.

Using regenerative farming methods, the firm wants to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Although the dairy sector is under fire for its carbon footprint, mostly from methane from cows and manure, Ben & Jerry’s is addressing these problems with new technology and techniques to absorb methane and lower emissions.

Ben & Jerry’s also supports the theory that adequately run dairy farms could boost soil’s carbon sequestration. Cover cropping, low tillage, and compost application are among the techniques they use to turn conventional dairy farms into environmental innovators. This method not only refutes wrong preconceptions but also provides a reproducible blueprint for environmentally friendly dairy production.

Ben & Jerry wants to change the focus on dairy farming by highlighting their achievements and observable results. Their aim of demonstrating that dairy can be part of the climate solution is further supported by their dedication to third-party certification via the Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.) and cooperation with organizations like the University of Vermont Extension Service. Ben & Jerry’s shows that if done correctly, dairy production can be environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Integrating Seven Key Strategies: A Holistic Approach to Low-Carbon Dairy Farming

Emphasizing seven main intervention areas, the Low Carbon Dairy project combines a complete whole-farm strategy to reduce GHG emissions:

1. Enteric Fermentation: This involves targeting cows’ digestive processes to reduce methane emissions through dietary adjustments and feed additives.
2. Regenerative Agriculture: Promoting soil health and carbon sequestration by adopting cover cropping, reduced tillage, and soil biodiversity.
3. Nutritious Homegrown Feed: Enhancing the quality and sustainability of feed grown on the farm to improve animal health and reduce the need for imported feed.
4. Renewable Energy: Incorporating solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy sources to offset the farm’s carbon footprint.
5. Animal Welfare and Longevity: Providing excellent care for livestock extends their productive lives and improves overall farm efficiency.
6. Nature and Biodiversity: Integrating wildlife habitats and natural ecosystems into the farm landscape to promote biodiversity and ecological balance.
7. Manure Management: Implementing advanced manure handling and storage techniques to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions.

Aiming High: Ben & Jerry’s Vision for a Low-Carbon Dairy Future 

Ben & Jerry’s Low Carbon Dairy project’s most ambitious ambition is to decrease the carbon footprint of the seven U.S. farms engaged in the project by 50% within three years. This exceptional goal perfectly embodies the company’s relentless commitment to promoting environmentally friendly dairy farming methods and establishing new industry standards for environmental sustainability.

Holstein Hubs: Strategically Located Farms Driving Ben & Jerry’s Low Carbon Dairy Initiative

The seven U.S. farms in Ben & Jerry’s Low Carbon Dairy pilot, mostly Holstein-based, are within 30 miles of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream production. This closeness enables the sensible implementation of sustainable measures and increases efficiency. The variety in herd sizes from 300 to 600 cows emphasizes the project’s objective of creating scalable, environmentally beneficial solutions for different farm sizes.

Driving Down Methane: Ben & Jerry’s Comprehensive Efforts in Tackling Enteric Fermentation

Enteric fermentation emissions from Ben & Jerry’s, the leading cause of greenhouse gasses in dairy production, are pledged to be lowered. This average cow digesting process creates methane. The business is looking at creative ideas to fight this, such as utilizing feed additives to reduce methane, improving animal diets, and leveraging technology to improve cow health management.

Ben & Jerry’s financial contributions to participating farms include stipends to cover labor and operating adjustments required for these methods. They also split expenses on initiatives like robotic feed pushers, improved feed storage, and urease inhibitors to lower manure ammonia emissions. This financial help is essential for farms to implement and sustain environmentally sustainable methods, encouraging dairy farmers’ compliance and creativity.

Pioneering Support: Ben & Jerry’s Cost-Sharing Initiatives Enhance Farm Sustainability

Ben & Jerry’s has aggressively supported cost-sharing projects to improve farm sustainability and lower greenhouse gas emissions, enabling farmers to adopt creative ideas. Among the many initiatives they have helped with are:

• Robotic feed pushers
• Feed storage improvements to prevent spoilage
• Urease inhibitors
• Advanced manure management technologies
• Installation of solar panels on barn roofs

Elevating Ethical Standards: Ben & Jerry’s Pursuit of G.A.P. Certification for U.S. Dairy Farms

Verified by third-party audits, all U.S. dairy farms enrolled in the Caring Dairy program are striving toward accreditation by the Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.). This criterion guarantees great animal welfare encompassing comfort, living circumstances, and general care. Ben & Jerry’s adherence to G.A.P. accreditation shows their respect for moral agricultural methods, balancing output with responsibility. This strategy enhances customer confidence in their sustainable source and improves animal quality of living.

Manning’s Collaboration with Novus International: Elevating Animal Welfare through the C.O.W.S. Program

Manning’s work with Novus International under the C.O.W.S. (Cow Comfort and Welfare Scoring) program shows Ben & Jerry’s dedication to animal welfare. The program comprehensively evaluates cow comfort, farm management techniques, and facility design. Examining bedding quality, area allocation, and feeding techniques helps the program provide information Manning and the farmers may utilize to improve cow comfort and efficiency. This not only lowers greenhouse gas emissions but also raises the productive life of the herd, thereby improving general sustainability.

Rooting for Resilience: Ben & Jerry’s Partnership with University of Vermont Extension Service Elevates Regenerative Agriculture Practices

Working with the University of Vermont Extension program, Ben & Jerry’s has advanced regenerative agriculture. An essential component of sustainable agriculture, biodiversity on farms, depends on this cooperation. The cooperation preserves soil structure, stops erosion, and promotes a healthy environment using cover crops. Lowering disturbance, maintaining soil carbon, improving water retention, and reducing tillage and no-till methods help further improve soil health.

Another critical component of this cooperation is less dependence on synthetic inputs. Reducing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides enhances the soil’s quality and lessens the environmental damage, promoting a more sustainable agricultural method. These techniques significantly improve soil respiration, soil carbon storage, and general soil health measures—qualities necessary for creating solid agricultural ecosystems able to slow down and accommodate climate change.

Reaping the Rewards of Regeneration: Ben & Jerry’s Effective Strategies for Superior Soil Health

With more soil respiration and carbon storage resulting from Ben & Jerry’s dedication to regenerative agriculture, soil condition has dramatically improved. These methods enhance the ecosystem and general soil indicators, demonstrating the essential relationship between environmental care and sustainable farming. This method guarantees rich, fertile ground, which is vital for expanding dairy farming and the whole agricultural scene.

Greening the Fields: Ben & Jerry’s Pioneering Grassland Rejuvenation Efforts 

Ben & Jerry’s dedication to sustainable farming is seen in their 2023 project to improve 350 acres of grassland with an eye on soil health and biodiversity. This project critically influences the company’s plan to include regenerative agriculture throughout its dairy supply chain.

Next year, Ben & Jerry’s aims to revitalize over 600 additional acres of grassland, accounting for almost one-quarter of the Low Carbon Dairy project’s total acreage. This project aims to increase agricultural resilience and production while sequestering more ground carbon.

Ben & Jerry’s initiatives seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance a sustainable agricultural scene. Their method of grassland management not only offers obvious environmental advantages but also advances their low-carbon future vision.

Sustainable Success: Ben & Jerry’s Commendable Progress and Ambitious Vision for Expanding the Low Carbon Dairy Initiative

Ben & Jerry’s Low Carbon Dairy pilot project, which started two years ago, has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by sixteen percent from their 2015 baseline. To increase sustainability and prove that dairy production can be ecologically benign, the firm intends to spread these techniques throughout the Caring Dairy program.

The Bottom Line

Ben & Jerry’s dedication to environmentally friendly dairy production demonstrates how dairy could help slow global warming. Using the Caring Dairy program and Low Carbon Dairy pilot, they prioritize farmers’ livelihoods, animal welfare, and soil health while lowering farm carbon footprints, thus refuting the idea that animal agriculture damages the environment.

Projects aiming at enteric fermentation, regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and manure management underline a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ben & Jerry’s strong foundation for sustainable practices comes from alliances and help toward G.A.P. accreditation. Early data point toward reaching a 50% carbon footprint reduction target with a 16% emissions decrease and grassland restoration.

Ben & Jerry’s approach highlights how much science-based treatments and a whole-farm approach may influence matters. By intending to spread these methods throughout the more extensive Caring Dairy program, they establish an example in the dairy sector and demonstrate how much sustainable dairy production may help combat climate change.

Key Takeaways:

• Ben & Jerry’s established the Caring Dairy program to promote sustainable farming practices in Europe and the U.S.
• The Low Carbon Dairy pilot project focuses on adopting climate-friendly practices to halve emissions in three years.
• Mandy, a project coordinator, collaborates with seven U.S. farms to measure and reduce their carbon footprints.
• The project employs a whole-farm approach with seven key strategies, including enteric fermentation management and regenerative agriculture.
• Ben & Jerry’s supports farm sustainability by cost-sharing and providing stipends for adopting low-carbon practices.
• Partnering with the University of Vermont Extension, the company enhances soil health through regenerative agriculture techniques.
• Efforts so far have resulted in a 16% reduction in emissions on participant farms since 2015, with plans to expand successful practices.

Summary:

Ben & Jerry’s is a global leader in social justice and environmental sustainability, focusing on combating climate change through innovative dairy farming techniques. Their Caring Dairy program supports farmers and farmworkers, ensuring animal welfare and improving soil health through regenerative practices. The initiative uses cover crops, low tillage, and low synthetic inputs to revitalize land and enhance soil conditions, improving carbon storage and soil respiration. Ben & Jerry’s Low Carbon Dairy pilot project, initiated two years ago, introduces environmentally friendly methods into the dairy sector, using data-driven insights to reduce emissions and improve agricultural sustainability. The project focuses on seven main intervention areas: Enteric Fermentation, Regenerative Agriculture, Nutritious Homegrown Feed, Renewable Energy, Animal Welfare and Longevity, Nature and Biodiversity, and Manure Management. The goal is to decrease the carbon footprint of the seven U.S. farms engaged in the project by 50% within three years.

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