Organic Valley, the largest cooperative of organic farmers in the nation, announced that the first agreements and payments have been provided to initial organic farmers participating in Organic Valley's Carbon Insetting Program (OVCIP).

The cooperative is taking the next step to improve the carbon footprint of its milk. 

"These are real funds for farmers taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.," CEO Jeff Frank said. "As a cooperative business, we are committed to these organic farmers with long-term agreements and relationships, and the farmers are committed to us with verified carbon reductions and, of course, organic milk. We're building this business to deliver for farmers who deserve to be rewarded for their efforts and customers who want real choices for climate-friendly dairy."

As a recipient of the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant, the co-op is offering additional support for practices implemented on eligible Organic Valley member-owner farms, including selecting and scoping region-specific projects, verification of those projects, and then helping to fund the practice installation. 

Organic Valley's carbon insetting program is category first in offering end-to-end support and a market price for per ton of third-party verified carbon reduction or removal by a participating farm, it states. The co-op offers technical assistance to help farmers plan and design carbon-reducing projects, sources grant implementation funds and ensures monitoring and verification of those projects.

The initial projects occurring across regions, and the first set of farmer agreements include on-farm projects like:

• Trees planted in actively grazed pastures.
• Renewable energy installations at farmsteads.
• Upgraded manure management technology.
• Enteric-reducing feed supplements.

During the "Carbon Insetting is the New Offsetting" session at the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) Dairy Forum in Phoenix, Organic Valley Director of Sustainability Nicole Rakobitsch shared the actions the cooperative is taking to turn the concept into reality. This level of direct involvement and openness is rare in the industry, making Organic Valley's program a unique and traceable model for carbon insetting in agriculture.

"We promote a food production system that produces good food for people but maintains an environment that does not deplete natural resources," said Organic Valley dairy farmer Chris Wilson from Wisconsin. "The goal is constantly trying to find ways to sequester carbon and make healthy soil. Healthy soil supports healthy cows, healthy cows make delicious and nutritious milk — all this goes hand in hand."