In early April, Midwest Dairy welcomed a group of Kansas-based food system and environmental sustainability thought leaders to Miller Dairy in Hutchinson, Kansas. This farm visit was a direct follow-up to a successful luncheon held in November of 2024, where attendees heard from dairy farmers Orville Miller and Heidi Wells. Many participants expressed interest in learning more about dairy firsthand —a sentiment confirmed by post-event survey results, making the tour a highly anticipated and meaningful next step.
During the visit, guests experienced the day-to-day operations of a family-owned dairy farm. They engaged directly with farmers to learn about dairy’s role in sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
Feedback gathered from the post-visit survey reflected the impact of the experience:
- “The ways in which dairies conserve resources—diverting food from landfills and reusing water—were impressive. I also appreciated learning about soil health practices like cover crops, and how technology helps monitor cow health and reduce stress.”
- “It was eye-opening to learn how much water use has improved over time and how dairy farms incorporate food waste. Very compelling.”
- “Seeing how a Kansas family dairy operates and hearing about their sustainability practices was incredibly valuable.”
- “I appreciated the insights into modern technology and practices in feeding, milking, and manure management.”
The tour provided a firsthand look at how dairy farmers lead in conservation, technology, and responsible food production, helping bridge the gap between agriculture and other sectors of the food system.
This experience fostered greater transparency and strengthened relationships between Kansas dairy farmers and key thought leaders who influence the future of sustainable food.