The National Milk Producers Federation’s Farmers Assuring Responsible Management, or FARM, program is expanding to include an environmental stewardship component.

 

NMPF Senior VP Chris Galen called it, “Basically a tool to help dairy farmers calculate their greenhouse gas emissions so we can track and tell a positive story about the reductions and improvements we’re making in energy efficiency on dairy farms.”

 

The stewardship program is completely voluntary, but it can help farmers identify ways to improve their on-farm sustainability.

 

Galen said the FARM program was created almost a decade ago to tell the truth and story of dairy.

 

“Because there was at that time, just as there is today, more attention being paid to the conditions under which dairy cows are housed and raised and basically where we get dairy products from when they reach the consumer.”

 

Galen said 98 percent of dairy farmers throughout the country are part of the FARM program so they can already take advantage of the new module, but if you want to find out more, visit nationaldairyfarm.com.

 

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail krounce@cherrycreekradio.com.

More From PNW Ag Network