Dairy: Developing Leaders in Sustainability

For generations, dairy farmers have been developing the leaders of tomorrow through hands-on experiences that require patience, dedication, and a long-term perspective to thrive. The same is true for dairy processors who nurture and educate the next generation of leadership in food manufacturing, taking that farm fresh milk and turning it into cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and other innovative products.
 
People depend on nutritious dairy foods to support their health and well-being, and it’s vital to produce these foods in a responsible way to address the needs of our communities and the planet. According to the Innovation Center for US Dairy, the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards recognize dairy farms, businesses and collaborative partnerships for practices that demonstrate outstanding economic, environmental and social benefits; a longstanding commitment to continuous improvement; and a replicable model to inform and inspire others in advancing dairy sustainability leadership. 

Advancing dairy sustainability leadership is of utmost importance to Oregon dairy farmers and processors, and three Oregon dairy farms and businesses have been recognized in recent years for their commitment in this area with U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards. These are their stories.
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Rogue Creamery, Central Point, OR
2021 Winner for Outstanding Dairy Processing & Manufacturing Sustainability
This award commended Rogue Creamery for its commitment to dairy sustainability, including programs for renewable energy and waste reduction, such as solar panel installation, reduced packaging waste, and their employee commuter program.

Rogue Creamery is a USDA certified organic cheese maker located in Central Point, Oregon. For nearly 90 years, Rogue Creamery has drawn from the beauty and flavors of Southern Oregon’s Rogue River Valley to create organic, handcrafted cheeses that have won international acclaim. But creating the world’s best cheese is only part of Rogue’s mission. They know that business – and in their case, cheese – can be used as a force for good. That’s why they became Oregon’s first public benefit corporation, “B Corp” for short, joining a global movement of companies that are committed to making the world a better place. Find out more at www.roguecreamery.com.

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Threemile Canyon Farms, Boardman, OR
2020 Winner for Outstanding Dairy Processing & Manufacturing Sustainability
Threemile Canyon Farms was recognized in 2020 with this award for demonstrating how growing crops and milking cows can complement one another in a regenerative, closed-loop system, resulting in little to no waste.
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Threemile’s Jersey cows and heifer operation are located at the center of the 93,000-acre farm. Practicing precision agriculture, the farm also grows organic blueberries, onions, carrots, potatoes, and corn, as well as a variety of conventional food, feed, and cover crops. Manure from the dairy serves as organic fertilizer for the crops, and the cows consume byproducts from food processing for human consumption that would otherwise go to waste. Modeling creativity, innovation, and efficiency, their efforts to continuously improve farm practices generate positive results for food safety, air and water quality, animal care, and community benefits. Find out more at www.threemilecanyonfarms.com.

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Tillamook County Creamery Association, Tillamook Oregon
2018 Winner for Outstanding Community Impact
Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) was recognized in 2018 for working to find the root cause of food insecurity in Oregon and for improving housing access. To address large-scale issues that impact the people and the planet, Tillamook partnered both with the Oregon Food Bank, and CARE, a local agency that serves the at-risk population of Tillamook County and encouraged their farmer-owners and employees to regularly participate in their company’s volunteer program, Tillamook Cares. 

TCCA is a farmer-owned dairy cooperative headquartered in Tillamook County, Oregon. They make and sell dairy products in a wide variety of categories under the "Tillamook" brand name. Since 1909, they’ve been dedicated to making the best cheese with the best ingredients, and today, Tillamook products can be found in homes from coast to coast. Find out more at www.tillamook.com

To learn more about how dairy is ordairy.org/farms/sustainability developing industry leaders in sustainability, visit ordairy.org/farms/sustainability and usdairy.com/sustainability. | Oregon Dairy Council

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This guest blog was submitted by the Oregon Dairy Council (ODC). For more information on guest blog opportunities, contact Marla McColly, Business Development Director, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association.