Dairy producers from around Wisconsin took part in a special project to support superior environmental performance through the development and implementation of an Environmental Management System for their farm. The Dairy Business Association - Green Tier Advancement Project (DBA-GTAP) was a joint venture between DBA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The purpose was to change attitudes and behavior in the Wisconsin dairy sector by exploring the use of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) as a tool to establish voluntary environmental improvement goals, measure progress and ultimately protect the natural resources within the state of Wisconsin.
"This was an exciting project for us to implement," stated Laurie Fischer, DBA executive director. "We had many dairy producers interested in developing an EMS, which can be very involved, to improve their operations environmentally," she said. ?The project was made possible from funding provided by the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).
"Through the efforts of DBA, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Validus the project provided participating producers with information, resources, and training to help them develop and implement an EMS," she said. In addition, Fischer stated that producers received assistance in implementing innovative and effective environmental management practices that will lead to superior environmental performance.
"By developing an effective and useable Environmental Management System, producers can strengthen their relationships within their community by providing measurable environmental improvements," Fischer said. As a positive result from environmental improvement, Fischer feels this will help the industry dispel misleading propaganda and prove their commitment to environmental stewardship.
More than 30 dairy producers participated in the program at some level. Fischer hopes the project can continue but funding is needed to offer assistance to additional producers and processors. PD
—From DBA news release
