The Golden State is Going Greener

California is the first dairy region in the world to set a goal for a 40% reduction of methane emissions from dairy manure. Due mainly to the development of digesters, the state's dairy farms are currently on track to meet that goal. California has 227 dairy digester projects, capturing methane from 255 dairy farms, and creating either renewable electricity, renewable natural gas, or hydrogen fuel. About 120 of the digesters are currently in operation, with the rest in development.

Dairy farmers are collaborating with Starbucks in their Sustainable Dairy Program. See what they’re doing to produce quality milk while reducing their impact on the environment.

Airoso Dairy is turning cow poo into renewable energy. See how they’re harnessing the power of methane.

Double D Dairy is using a manure separator to keep solids from the lagoon to reduce GHGs while recycling and reusing for cow bedding. Watch to learn more.

The methane from cow poo is being turned into renewable electricity. Watch to see how it all works.

Learn 5 ways you can store your dairy products at home to reduce food waste by making them last longer.

CA dairy families are committed to climate solutions. We’re proud to support the Decade of Ag, a coalition of farmers and ranchers who are building a more sustainable future for the food and agriculture sector.

Bar 20 Dairy’s first-of-its-kind fuel cells convert manure methane into renewable, combustion-free electricity to power BMW’s electric cars in California. Winner: U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award 2022

For generations, California dairy farmers have worked to produce affordable and sustainable milk that is used in dairy products. Today, they continue to make investments and enhancements, and are leading in climate-smart technologies and practices.

Learn about the innovative and sustainable efforts led by California dairy farm families, including more than 300 methane reduction projects, accelerating the possibilities of planet-smart dairy.

CA dairy farms have been fueling humans with nutritious dairy since day 1. Now they’re fueling machines by producing renewable energy from manure methane! See how in the LA Times.

A peer-reviewed study published by researchers at the University of California at Davis shows California dairy is on target to reach the state's world leading methane reduction goals and can reach climate neutrality by 2030.

Did you know the plastic used to make milk jugs is one of the most recyclable? High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) #2 plastic is recognizable and easy to sort, so recycling centers can ensure it’s put back to good use. Do your part, simply, pour it, cap it, and bin it.

The next generation of dairy farmers is looking out for generations to come by making every glass of milk sustainable and nutritious. To learn more about their hard work, watch this video.

From almond hulls to tomato pulp, dairy farmers are feeding cows with nutritious agricultural byproducts. Read up on how this benefits cows and the environment in the LA Times.

The future of the planet looks bright thanks to the California dairy industry's journey towards climate neutrality. Learn more about how they're going green in the LA Times.

Dairy farms from the Golden State won big at the Dairy Sustainability Awards. Sustainable Conservation, Netafim, De Jager, and McRee Dairies’ innovative water conservation project benefits crops, the community, and the environment all in one.

On California’s dairy farms, every drop of water is used to its maximum benefit. Clean water cools milk and washes cows before being collected to flush manure from barn floors. And that’s not all! The water is then used to irrigate feed crops like corn and alfalfa. Nothing goes to waste.

This CA dairy family has some unlikely neighbors! When the imperiled tricolored blackbirds began nesting at Diamond J Dairy, the Jonkmans delayed harvest to protect them. Get a bird’s-eye view of this family’s success story and their commitment to farming sustainably.

By adapting bold, new practices to boost soil health, California dairy farmers Frank Fernandes and Jonathan Lawrence are improving the sustainability of their farms. The innovative “California no till” system conserves water and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.

CA dairy farmer Philip Verwey is determined to help improve air quality. And it’s working. By converting from diesel to electric, he’s managed to cut his dairy’s tractor-related emissions substantially. As a result of this game-changing idea, he was awarded an Innovation Center for US Dairy’s “Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability” award.

California dairy farmers are teaming up with California Bioenergy and Chevron to capture methane for use as renewable natural gas. The alternative fuel will be used to power vehicles and will help the environment by reducing greenhouse gases. Now that’s a win-win.