When asked the other day what the date for Earth Day was I responded with a laugh that clearly meant, “Are you kidding?! Why would I know when Earth Day is?” But after thinking about it for a few minutes, I realized I should be more supportive of and excited about Earth Day. No, I don’t consider myself an extreme environmentalist, but Earth Day should be a day that highlights dairy cows and dairy farmers!
Celebrated every year on April 22, Earth Day is used to promote awareness and support for a healthy, sustainable environment. Recycling is a big part of the sustainability story. Isn’t this what dairies are all about? “Reduce, Re-use and Recycle” is a theme that applies to dairies in many ways.
Farmers have been effective conservationists for centuries, caring for the land, using manure to fertilize crops, increasing efficiency in ways that effectively reduce their carbon footprint, and feeding a wide array of by-products that would otherwise probably go to a landfill.
The next time you’re eating cheese, ask yourself where the “whey” went. The next time you’re eating almonds, ask yourself where the hulls went. The next time you’re drinking an ice cold microbrew, ask yourself where the leftover brewers grains went. There’s a good chance many of these by-products went to dairy cows.
Dairy farmers have been effective environmentalists for a long, long time. In addition to making good business sense, sustainability is what it takes to survive and thrive for the long-term.
Andrew Sandeen
Montesano
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
