# Renewable Electricity: Organic Valley’s Sustainable Future

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/08/renewable-electricity-organic-valleys-sustainable-future/
- Published: 2019-08-04T22:43:10-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Organic Valley Becomes 100 Percent Renewably Powered

To reach its 100 percent renewable electricity commitment set forth in 2017, Organic
Valley collaborated with [OneEnergy Renewables](https://www.oneenergyrenewables.com/)
and 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.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_7856-400x400.png?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1)

AI

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](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/08/shop-bulk-foods-the-sustainable-way-to-save-on-groceries/)
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](https://www.prnewswire.com//)

Sources: Organic Valley
[www.organicvalley.coop, ](https://www.organicvalley.coop/)
[OneEnergy Renewables ](https://www.oneenergyrenewables.com/)and [BluEarth Renewables](https://bluearthrenewables.com/)⌊
Solar projects afoot at organic valley⌉

 

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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