Darigold, Oakhurst Dairy honored for green efforts

Darigold Inc., a dairy cooperative based in Seattle, is the first recipient of the U.S. Dairy Export Council Award for Outstanding Dairy Processing & Manufacturing Sustainability. The award program is administered by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, Rosemont, Ill.

Steve Rowe (right) and Kevin Ponticelli, senior executive vp of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy announced the winners on March 7 at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C. The  U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards is a program to recognize dairy farms, dairy companies and collaborative partnerships for efforts that advance the sustainability of the dairy industry.

Award judges were impressed by Darigold’s efforts to reduce water, waste and diesel fuel. Specifically, the company stated that it has:

Another processor, Oakhurst Dairy, Portland, Maine, received an honorable mention for its efforts. The Innovation Center also recognized dairy producers (see the next page).

After evaluating its sustainability performance in 2008, Darigold committed to implementing both operational and innovative approaches that would allow it to effectively address global sustainability challenges. Sustainability touches nearly every aspect of Darigold and is central to how it does business. The co-op monitors 28 performance areas and sets goals for improvement.

Bill Bennett, Oakhurst Dairy

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Oakhurst Dairy, owned by the Bennett family, was one of the first companies in Maine to accept the governor’s Carbon Challenge. The Bennetts developed a sustainability roadmap with long-term reduction goals throughout the operation.  Oakhurst is a processor of milk, cream and cottage cheese.

From 2008-2010, Oakhurst reduced its plant energy, greenhouse gas emissions, water use and transportation fuel use by roughly 10% each — achieving half of its overall goal. Other sustainable practices include the installation of a solar energy system and the use of hybrid delivery trucks. Bio-diesel fuel meets 14% of the company’s overall fuel needs. The hybrid delivery trucks use 25% less fuel. Hybrid vehicles make up 45% of the company’s auto fleet.

A third dairy processor, Dean Foods Co., was recognized for its collaboration with AP LLC, of Gooding, Idaho, received an award in the category Outstanding Achievement in Energy.  This partnership of Dean Foods Co. and AgPower Partners, known as DF-AP, led to the creation of what is considered the first major third-party-owned and -operated dairy digester project in the nation.  The methane-fueled renewable energy system produces enough energy to provide the power needs of approximately 900 homes and produces 34,000 cubic yards of ammonia-free fiber that is sold at retail as a landscape fertilizer. 

From left: Mike Brubaker of Brubaker Farms, Mount Joy, Pa.; Kenn Buelow of Holsum Dairies, LLC, Hilbert, Wis.; Bill Bennett of Oakhurst Dairy, Portland, Maine; Andy Werkhoven of Werkhoven Dairy, Inc., Monroe, Wash.; Marie Audet of Blue Spruce Farm, Bridport, Vt.; Bob Joblin of DF-AP, LLC, Gooding, Idaho; and Steve Rowe of Darigold, Inc., Seattle.

Dairy Foods editor Jim Carper served as a judge. Also serving as judges were:

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy also honored other organizations for their sustainability efforts. Winners of the Elanco Award forOutstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability are:

Blue Spruce Farm, operated by the Audet family in Bridport, Vt., is admired as a pioneer in operational efficiency. It was one of the first farms in the country to install variable speed a vacuum pump control, reducing energy used during milking by nearly 60 percent. Blue Spruce also was the first dairy farm to participate in the successful Central Vermont Public Service’s Cow Power^™ program, which allows consumers to purchase renewable energy generated on a dairy farm. By implementing new technologies in lighting, milking, milk cooling, barn construction, ventilation and water heating, the farm reduced energy use from an average of 1,000 kWh per cow per year, to an average of 500 kWh per cow per year. These savings, in turn, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 500 pounds of CO₂e per cow per year.

For Holsum Dairies, LLC, of Hilbert, Wis., sustainability of the community and the natural environment were significant factors when they designed the dairy and planned the operations. Holsum relies on a model of trust and mutual benefit in working with nearly 40 local crop farmers and custom harvesters to provide all of the dairy’s forage needs. In this win-win relationship, benefits to the farm, the community and the environment include higher quality feed; 11,000 acres under a single nutrient management plan; lower cost and emissions associated with manufacturing and transport of fertilizer; more efficient crop production; and more precise fertilizer application.

 A decade ago, Werkhoven Dairy, Inc., of Monroe, Wash., assumed a leadership role in developing a collaborative partnership between their farm and the neighboring dairy and beef producers of the Sno/Sky Ag Alliance; the Northwest Chinook Recovery (an organization working to restore salmon habitat); and the 3,500-member Native American Tulalip Tribe. These entities formed a nonprofit organization that operates an anaerobic digester system, creating enough energy each day to produce electricity for 300 homes while keeping the air and water clean and protecting salmon streams. The system also produces enough Grade A compost for Werkhoven Dairy to naturally fertilize their fields and share with their neighbors. 

Winners of the Center for Advanced Energy Studies/Idaho National Laboratory Award for Outstanding Achievement in Energy are:

Brubaker Farms of Mount Joy, Pa.,has mastered energy efficiency by creating a successful new revenue stream through the implementation of an anaerobic digester system. The farm now produces its own electricity, and the surplus electricity — enough to power approximately 200 homes — is sold to the local utility. The Brubaker family is committed to sharing its lessons learned by hosting busloads of visitors to tour the property, which includes three solar panels totaling 10,000 square feet producing an additional 130 to 150 kWh on sunny days.

In a collaboration that formed DF-AP, LLC, of Gooding, Idaho,Dean Foods Company and AgPower Partners embraced the essence of innovation when they teamed up to create the first major third party owned and operated dairy digester project in the nation. From the very first year in operation, the project has been financially self-sustaining and has paid a return to its investors, while lowering operational costs for the dairy, improving manure management and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The methane-fueled renewable energy system produces enough energy to provide the power needs of approximately 900 homes and produces 34,000 cubic yards of ammonia-free fiber that is sold at retail as a landscape fertilizer.