A Farm with Soul Starts with Healthy Soil

We know ice cream is the best stuff on earth. So it follows that we should use the best earth to help make it. Soil is a living ecosystem, and the foundation for a healthy farm. That’s why choosing what goes into a farm’s soil, and when, is so important on Caring Dairy farms. We encourage farmers to follow sustainable agricultural practices for healthy and fertile soil – because where happy plants grow, so do happy people.

How Soil Health is Measured On Caring Dairy Farms:

We have to confess, some of our measurement tools consist of “insider farm knowledge,” but to break it down for you, soil health is all about the breakdown…of farm soil. For example, we take a look at:

1. More frequent Soil Testing
2. Indicators like crop condition, erosion, and earthworms
3. Crop management plans

Soil Health 2012 Results

We have improvement! The Caring Dairy farmers boosted their soil health over the course of the year. If you listen closely, you can hear the earthworms singing…

True Tales of Caring Dairy – Soil Health

If at first you don’t succeed, plant, plant again. Get a sneak peek at how a handful of our farmers are improving their soil health by getting their hands dirty.

“We are renting an aerator this season for use on no-till corn land and grass ground.”

We’re (Not) Losing It!

At Ben & Jerry’s, we love bald guys. But when it comes to soil on a farm, bald is not so beautiful, and coverage is key. Soil loss on farms – overworking or overfarming the land - can reduce soil quality and contaminate waterways. Caring Dairy farmers stop soil loss in its (dirty) tracks, and work toward growing soil volume – and in the process hitting pay dirt - using improved agricultural practices.

How Soil Loss is Measured on Caring Dairy Farms:

This is Caring Dairy, exposed! Here’s how we make sure our farmers spread the good stuff around – and keep the farm covered.

1. Implementation of an annual crop coverage plan
2. Introduce rotation grazing to reduce overgrazing and encourage crop re-growth
3. Water run-off is diverted and managed to prevent erosion.
4. Measurement of organic matter in topsoil

2012 Results

Building soil is a good thing. The more healthy soil that stays on the fields will grow better crops to feed the farmer’s cows – that is what we want!

True Tales of Caring Dairy – Soil Loss Management

Our farmers know that saving soil is a tough job – but someone’s gotta do it. Hear how they make soil magic happen.

The Dirt on Our Farms? Nutrition Comes First.

What goes around comes around. That’s never been more true when it comes to the soil that fuels a dairy farm. That’s why our dairy farmers use super nutrients in their soil to grow super-nutritious feed for their cows. Which goes – er – through the cow, and – um – around and out to become super nutritious fertilizer to start the cycle again.

How Nutrients are Measured on Caring Dairy Farms:

A nutritious meal for the earth includes a whole lot of cow patties. But feed it too many, and you’ve got a pile of well-intentioned crap on your hands. The key is a good balance, and a couple of other things:

1. Recommended guidelines for application of manure and commercial fertilizer
2. Application of Nitrogen fertilizer – timing and techniques
3. Use of phosphorus supplements
4. Continuing education for managing fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide and fungicide use

2012 Results:

Hooray! We’re rich with nutrients this year. In 2012, Caring Dairy farmers kept their ground well-fed and improved on their results over the course of the year.

True Tales of Caring Dairy – Nutrients

What did the soil say to the farmer? Feeeeed me. There are lots of ways our Caring Dairy farmers are making their land more nutritious. Here’s just one sample:

Variety is the Spice of Farm Life

On Caring Dairy farms, we believe everything should live in harmony. That means a farm where wildlife and farm life benefit each other, creating an ecosystem where everyone has a home One of the ways farmers can ensure biodiversity is by “greening the edges” of their farms – allowing natural habitats and diverse species to flourish – au natural.

How Biodiversity Is Measured on Caring Dairy Farms

It’s a nature party and everyone’s invited! We encourage Caring Dairy farmers to do everything short of singing “Kumbaya” to keep diversity blossoming. In daily practice we look at things like:

1. Genetic diversity of crops
2. Species (birds, butterflies, etc.) on the farm
3. Varieties of grass and plant life allowed to grow
4. Preservation of habitats for natural predator systems (hedgerows, ponds, etc.)
5. Meadow bird protection

2012 Results

While Biodiversity is not a common term, many farmers naturally understand the many benefits of things that crawl, buzz and grow. They also know that some are not as good, but it is a balance.

True Tales of Caring Dairy - Biodiversity

Improving biodiversity on a Caring Dairy farm can be as simple as planting a seed, as shown in this Vermont farmer’s improvement plan:

Besting Pests As a Farmer Test

Even something as small as a bug is important on a Caring Dairy farm. Because managing pests, like insects or weeds, with minimum risk to the environment is no small task. Our Caring Dairy farmers are asked to evaluate their pest management practices to make sure they are safe, healthy, and make sense for the farm’s bottom line. Then, they re-evaluate all over again, because we’re pest perfectionists.

How Pest Management is Measured on Caring Dairy Farms

Caring Dairy farmers keep the planet – and a plan - in mind using the following pest management techniques:

1. Reduce pests’ environments as needed
2. Mechanical weed removal
3. Appropriate chemical use

2012 Results

True Tales of Caring Dairy – Pest Management

How do you keep a Caring Dairy farm fly-free? Here’s how one farmer raised the bar:

Our Dream? A Green Dairy Farm Machine

The concept of a green farm might seem a little silly – after all, most dairy farms are associated with lush hills of verdant grass. But “green” to our farmers is an effort that goes beyond plant life – to a happy planet consciousness. In the Caring Dairy program, we work with farmers to determine the best ways to use clean, renewable energy on their farms, from exploring bio, wind, and solar energy sources to harnessing the energy created in –ahem- natural gas from cows. But also, simple energy efficiency like better lights and efficient fans.

How Energy & Climate is Measured on Caring Dairy Farms

Can cows power the world? Probably not just yet, but our Caring Dairy farmers sure are trying.

1. Energy, electricity, and natural gas use
2. Sustainable energy forms
3. Electricity from milk cooling process

2012 Results:

Our Caring Dairy farms made progress this year, improving their energy and climate effects little by little.

True Tales of Caring Dairy – Energy & Climate

“We have enough excess methane to run a second engine, and are taking steps to permit and install the second generator and engine.”

Go with the Flow

Water is the greatest natural resource on our planet. Well, aside from ice cream, that is. That’s why our Caring Dairy farmers are paying attention to what’s in it, where it goes, and how much they use. Implementing sustainable practices on farms helps prevent runoff from unfiltered water, and contaminants and pollution from seeping into ground or surface water. In addition, Caring Dairy practices help farmers conserve water on their farms, a practice that affects the planet and the bottom line.

How Water Management is Measured on Caring Dairy Farms

How do we keep water use in check on our farms? We have a select group of “water wizards” that are known for their way with a stream. Also, we look at these V.I.W. (Very Important Water) factors on our farms:

1. Use of tap and ground water
2. Improve natural buffers and filter strips to protect waterways

2012 Results:

The weather is fickle, and farmers have to adjust to what is delivered by Mother Nature. Our goal is to always improve water quality, and never to degrade this important resource.

True Tales of Caring Dairy – Water Management

Just what changes do our Caring Dairy farmers make when it comes to H20? Here’s a sample water management plan from a Caring Dairy farm.

Cow-culations are a Farm’s Best Friend

In the Caring Dairy program, we focus just as much on taking care of farmers and their families as we do on producing happy cows, delicious milk, and sustainable environmental practices. Dairy farming is a value choice, a blend of quality of life with livelihood viability.

How Farm Economics is Measured on Caring Dairy Farms

Wealth isn’t all measured in dollars and cents – or euros and euro cents. It’s also measured in the long-term cost of farming on the planet. In this case, we make sure our farmers can manage cash as well as cows by looking at the following factors:

1. Economic and non-economic value of each part of the farm process
2. Balance costs of sustainable practices with the bottom line
3. Put debt management strategies in place

2012 Results

While farmers aren’t getting rich, they do understand how to financially manage their farming business.

True Tales of Caring Dairy – Farm Economics

“This year, we met with a university and as a family to become educated about our options. We also researched grant options to hire a consultant and wrote a draft farm transfer plan.”

Farmers Need Vacations Too!

Caring Dairy begins – and ends – with people. That’s why we’re working to ensure that farmers and their employees pay as much attention to quality of life as we do to the quality of our ice cream. That means factoring in time off and work/life balance for those who work on farms, paying attention to working conditions, and getting involved in the local community. That kind of care tastes almost as good as our ice cream – almost.

How Social Human Capital is Measured on Caring Dairy Farms

With the farmers in our program working hard to make delicious dairy for us, we work hard to make sure they have time to enjoy it – and the other things that make life sweet. Here’s what we take a look at:

1. Workload for employees
2. Hours of training/education per year
3. Vacation days per year

2012 Results:

Farmers understand quality of life: they choose to farm! We want them to find a balance between farmwork and homelife.

True Tales of Caring Dairy – Social Human Capital

“We have recently given two acres of our corn field to the town of Fairfield and the elementary school that contained the mound system for the school. The agriculture rights are now theirs.”

Come Together, Right Now (Over Ice Cream)

We’ve always believed in giving back to our community – whether it’s ice cream, happiness, or items from our lost and found. That’s why we encourage our Caring Dairy farmers to step up and take on a starring role in their community. Employing local people, sourcing local goods and services, and providing space for recreation is rewarding for farmers, the community, and the local economy – a win/win/win situation with delicious rewards.

How Local Economy is Measured on Caring Dairy Farms

You might be surprised at the effect just one dairy farm can have on the community surrounding it. We don’t even mind if they milk it a little. Here’s how we measure the amount of care our Caring Dairy farmers are delivering:

1. Amount of money reinvested locally
2. Percentage of goods and services sourced locally
3. Visitors to farm and community awareness

2012 Results

Hold steady, people! The cycle of good vibes between Caring Dairy farmers and their communities has remained strong this year. This calls for an ice cream party.

Who Cares About Cows? Us!

Quality ice cream comes from quality ingredients. And quality ingredients come from cows that are comfortable, healthy, and happy. On our dairy farms, cow comfort is a way of life. From encouraging use of new milking technology to ensuring cows have room to roam, eat, and sleep, our Caring Dairy farmers make happy cows the key to a happy farm.

How Animal Husbandry/Welfare is Measured on Caring Dairy Farms

We owe our business to our Caring Dairy farms’ hardest working members – the beautiful, bountiful, benevolent bovines that produce the quality dairy that goes into every pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Here’s how we put their happiness first:

1. Health status and appearance of cows
2. General housing, feeding, and watering conditions for cows
3. High quality care for newborn calves.

2012 Results

We couldn’t be more pleased with the love and attention our farmers have heaped on their dairy cows this year. Two scoops to a multi-point improvement.

True Tales of Caring Dairy – Animal Welfare

“We have a place to make sure cows see a hoof trimmer as soon as possible without being forgotten, and a book to write down any treatments so we know if something isn't helping then we can try a new medicine or call the vet. We have also started using more sawdust in the stalls and wrapping swollen hocks with ointment.”

“We have installed two automatic cow brushes to promote cow cleanliness and comfort and in turn enhance milk production.”

“Set up protocols in writing (English & Spanish) to address milking procedures, cow handling, medicine use, withdrawal times, and standards of practice for basic farm tasks.”