Midwest Dairy has developed a strong, long-standing partnership with the Illinois Corn Marketing Board through years of collaboration on statewide initiatives, such as Illinois Farm Families and Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom. Most recently, Illinois Corn partnered with PepsiCo and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to host a farm tour focused on sustainability and methane as part of the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) Conference, held April 15–18, 2026, at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Illinois Corn invited Midwest Dairy to serve as a key collaborator to highlight dairy’s role in sustainability efforts and help coordinate a tour at Lenkaitis Holsteins. The team also contributed to a resource packet that included conservation cheat sheets, dairy programs, terminology, and information on milk types and components to enhance understanding among attendees.
A total of 21 journalists from publications across the U.S. joined representatives from Illinois Corn, EDF, PepsiCo, Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), and Midwest Dairy. The group visited Robbins Corn Farm in Will County and Lenkaitis Holsteins in St. Charles. During the bus tour, participants heard from several experts:
- Megan Dwyer (Illinois Corn) discussed corn production practices
- Jeremy Adamson (PepsiCo) shared corporate perspectives on supply chain partnerships and incentives
- Andrew Lentz (EDF) provided context on climate-smart agriculture policies
- Dr. Stephan Muller (University of Illinois Chicago) explained the climate impact of agricultural practices
- Lisa McCann (Midwest Dairy) gave an overview of farm and food systems
- Stephanie Masiello Schutte (DMI) presented on methane science and technology
Journalists were highly engaged, asking thoughtful questions throughout the presentations and farm visits.
At Lenkaitis Dairy, Sarah and Andy Lenkaitis welcomed the group with a presentation during lunch, followed by a tour of the farm. They showcased cow care and conservation practices, including advanced feeding programs, manure management systems, and technologies such as robotic milking that improve both efficiency and animal well-being. Additional attendees included Jill Manata and Katie Entwistle (DMI) and Kendra Anderson (Midwest Dairy).
Midwest Dairy conducted pre- and post-tour surveys to measure changes in perception, focusing on two statements: “Dairy is environmentally friendly” and “Dairy products come from cows that are treated humanely.” Results showed a clear positive shift in sentiment:
- Environmentally friendly: 41.3% (pre) → 69.3% (post) somewhat/strongly agree
- Cows treated humanely: 33.3% (pre) → 53.9% (post) somewhat/strongly agree
- All “somewhat disagree” responses in the pre-survey shifted to neutral or agree in the post-survey
- Top learning themes included animal care and greenhouse gas emissions
Participants also shared valuable feedback, including:
- “It’s fascinating how science and technology have advanced to support both farmers and the environment.”
- “I never realized I knew nothing about cows or the dairy industry. But the amazing presentation, generous hosts, and charming cows taught me so much. It’s made me find a new interest I want to explore in my newsroom.
- “Methane emissions in cows can be reduced through breeding and genetics.”
This collaboration demonstrates the value of strong partnerships in creating meaningful opportunities to showcase modern dairy practices. Engaging directly with audiences who typically have limited exposure to dairy helps build understanding, shift perceptions, and foster more informed conversations about the industry.