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Renewable Electricity: Organic Valley’s Sustainable Future

Organic Valley Becomes 100 Percent Renewably Powered

To reach its 100 percent renewable electricity commitment set forth in 2017, Organic Valley collaborated with OneEnergy Renewablesand a group of Midwestern municipal utilities. These guys are really helping these renewable projects.  They are referred to as the Upper Midwest Municipal Energy Group (UMMEG).
The image I've created captures the essence of Organic Valley's commitment to renewable electricity and sustainable farming practices. Let me describe how this image relates to Organic Valley's initiatives:
In the foreground, you'll see a picturesque organic dairy farm with lush green pastures and grazing cows. This represents Organic Valley's dedication to small-scale, sustainable farming. Their cooperative includes over 1,600 family farms, with an average herd size of fewer than 80 cows per farm. This approach not only ensures animal welfare but also promotes responsible land stewardship.
The background of the image showcases various renewable energy sources, including solar panels and wind turbines. This reflects Organic Valley's significant strides in adopting renewable electricity. In fact, Organic Valley has been at the forefront of sustainability in the dairy industry. A study conducted by the cooperative revealed that their farmers' net farm emissions were, on average, 15% lower than other non-member organic dairy farms and 24% lower than the national dairy farm average.
The solar panels you see on the farm buildings in the image represent Organic Valley's real-world initiatives. The cooperative has been incentivizing member farms to adopt carbon reduction and removal projects through their carbon insetting program. This includes solar power installations, which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future for the dairy industry.
In the distance, you might notice electric vehicles charging at a station. This symbolizes Organic Valley's holistic approach to sustainability, extending beyond just farm practices to encompass broader environmental considerations.
Organic Valley's commitment to sustainability goes beyond energy production. They're also innovating in other areas to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, in 2023, Organic Valley partnered with Hawaiian seaweed feed company Symbrosia to explore the use of seaweed as a feed supplement for cows. Research has shown that this could potentially reduce methane emissions from cattle by up to 82%.
The clear blue sky in the image represents the positive environmental impact of these sustainable practices. By reducing their carbon footprint, Organic Valley is contributing to cleaner air and a healthier planet.
Organic Valley's approach to sustainability is not just about environmental stewardship; it's also about preserving a way of life. Their commitment to small family farms helps maintain the vitality of rural communities, ensuring that the pastoral scene depicted in the image remains a reality rather than becoming a relic of the past.
This image and Organic Valley's real-world initiatives demonstrate that it's possible to produce high-quality, organic dairy products while also being environmentally responsible. They're proving that sustainable farming practices and renewable energy can go hand in hand with successful business operations, paving the way for a more sustainable future in agriculture.
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So in late 2018, BluEarth Renewables acquired Butter Solar and they began construction inJanuary 2019. Butter Solar providing 23,000 people across 10 Midwest communities. That’s even including six in Organic Valley’s project portfolio. All with reduced energy costs for more than 25 years through projects in or near their community.

Organic Valley continues to focus on a sustainable future for rural America. In addition to the economic benefits of these municipal solar projects, the sites will feature grazing sheep and pollinator habitats under the panels. Organic Valley is also developing new renewable energy or projects and partnerships. All that aim to help rural American farms increase their sustainability, both financially and environmentally.

For more than 25 years, Organic Valley will buy renewable energy credits (RECs) from three solar projects, owned and operated by BluEarth Renewables. All to help support the project and keep electricity prices low. That’s for everyone that lives in these rural Midwestern communities. Other organizations including Dr. Bronner’s, the City of Madison, Lime, and Native Energy have also agreed to buy RECs from their own project. Even mentioned groups of projects, as part of a shared commitment to lower their carbon footprint.

Finally and to celebrate, Organic Valley held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for this renewable electricity program onAugust 1. It was held at theCashtonsolar site inWisconsin.

PRNewswire

Sources: Organic Valley
www.organicvalley.coop, OneEnergy Renewables and BluEarth Renewables
Solar projects afoot at organic valley

 

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