Midwest Dairy focuses on building relationships with environmental thought leaders who are experts in their field and help shape the opinions of others. By collaborating with these environmental partners, Midwest Dairy shares its sustainability story and strengthens relationships. These partnerships encourage thought leaders to use their influence in support of the dairy industry.
To build trust in dairy’s sustainability story, especially among those who influence Gen Z, Midwest Dairy continues to partner with the University of South Dakota’s (USD) Sustainability and Environment Program. Midwest Dairy and a local dairy farmer were once again invited to participate in Professor Jenny Fierro’s introductory course on sustainable environments. This course enrolls over 90 first- and second-year students working and earning science credit. Faculty from the department were also invited, and three attended.
During the event, dairy farmer Cole Hoyer of Bruce, SD, shared insights about his family’s farm, emphasizing their sustainability efforts and those of the broader dairy community. Cole also brought samples of local cheese from their processor, AMPI. The student’s attention and engagement were impressive.
After the presentation, Midwest Dairy representatives met with University of South Dakota (USD) faculty to discuss a new partnership with the Environmental Club and Sodexo for the University’s annual Earth Day Fair in April. Plans are underway for Sodexo to feature dairy and plant-based recipe samples, including a “know your farmer” element to showcase the local ingredients used while incorporating messages about sustainability and animal care. Stay tuned for more details on this project.
Midwest Dairy is continuing its partnership with the USD Department of Sustainability and Environment on the Dedicated Acquisition of Information Regarding Youth (DAIRY) project. This project conducts research on the environmental beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of Gen Z and undergraduates in Environmental Studies and Sciences (ESS) programs. Now in its third year, project updates will be shared in May.
Midwest Dairy also participated in the Big Sioux Stewardship Summit, hosted by the City of Sioux Falls and South Dakota State University in April. The first day of the conference included agricultural and urban bus tours, featuring a stop at Boadwine Dairy near Baltic, SD. About 60 attendees, including thought leaders, industry professionals, and conservation-minded consumers, visited the farm. Guests learned about the farm’s initiatives to enhance soil health, improve cow comfort, and reduce methane emissions. On the second day, community stakeholders presented their environmental initiatives, focusing on three main areas: water resources, regenerative agriculture, and urban stewardship. Dairy farmer Lynn Boadwine and Whitney Blindert from Midwest Dairy shared insights on the nutrition and sustainability aspects of dairy. Over 100 attendees participated in the conference, including industry leaders, university faculty, students, and members of the general public interested in conservation.