This week the dairy checkoff-found Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to open doors for increased collaboration in environmental sustainability efforts.
The MOU, which formalizes a relationship that began in 2012, was announced during the fall meeting of the Dairy Sustainability Alliance®, Nov. 9-10, according to a checkoff press release. The MOU allows the EPA to participate as a member of the Alliance, a group of more than 130 companies and organizations that collaborate on issues affecting the U.S. dairy industry, accelerate progress toward shared sustainability goals and contribute to the industry’s long-term viability.
“This MOU is significant as it indicates a recognition of U.S. dairy’s leadership in environmental stewardship and brings greater support for creating a sustainable future that is economically viable for U.S. dairy farmers and the dairy community,” Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy President Barbara O’Brien said. “The MOU will explore mutually beneficial opportunities for dairy farms of all sizes, geographies and practices to gain benefits from EPA resources, including research grants, educational training materials and data.”
More than 400 members of the dairy community attended the Alliance meeting which featured updates on ongoing initiatives to inform and share progress toward the industry’s collective 2050 environmental stewardship goals.
