ISAP Welcomes Midwest Dairy as Newest Member
The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership brings together diverse member organizations who are working collaboratively to encourage the adoption of sustainable and profitable production practices that improve soil health and restore local waters.
DEKALB, Ill. – Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) is excited to welcome Midwest Dairy to the current 14-member partnership. ISAP’s continued expansion advances the Partnership’s capacity to meet the goals identified in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and reduce the environmental impact of Illinois agriculture. Midwest Dairy is a regional dairy checkoff program representing over 4,600 dairy farm families across 10 states in the Midwest, including Illinois. Midwest Dairy works on the behalf of farmers to build dairy demand by inspiring consumer confidence in dairy products and production practices.
“We believe that Midwest Dairy’s membership will provide additional opportunities for ISAP to expand our work,” shared Jean Brokish, ISAP coordinator and Midwest program manager with American Farmland Trust. “We are looking forward to engaging Illinois dairy farmers in our nutrient loss reduction efforts and supporting their stewardship of healthy soils, clean water, and vibrant farming communities across Illinois.”
Midwest Dairy has established several industry-wide sustainability goals including optimizing water use, improving water quality through nutrient management, and achieving greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. Midwest Dairy is working to achieve these goals by connecting with dairy farmers at the local level, providing educational resources on sustainable farming practices, and sharing success stories of conservation champions.
“Midwest Dairy is eager to begin working with the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership and provide our membership with science-based resources so they can make the most-informed decisions for the health and well-being of their farms,” said Selena King, wellness manager with Midwest Dairy and the newest addition to ISAP’s communications committee. “Our members are committed to sustainability and land stewardship, and we look forward to strengthening this commitment through our new partnership with ISAP.”
In Illinois, dairy farmers are dedicated to taking care of their animals and our shared resources of air, land, and water. With over 400 producer members in Illinois, Midwest Dairy is uniquely equipped to disseminate the most up-to-date scientific research and conservation strategies to improve soil health and water quality in the dairy industry.
As an official member of ISAP, Midwest Dairy will be able to connect Illinois dairy farmers with ISAP resources and programming, advancing the Partnership’s mission to create a network which supports a systems approach for sustainable agriculture in Illinois. Midwest Dairy is the fifteenth organization to join the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership. To learn more about Midwest Dairy, visit their website at www.midwestdairy.com.
##
As a coordinated and consistent group, Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership focuses on messaging, outreach, training and education for farmers and their trusted advisors to bring together and disseminate new information and lessons learned in plain, practical language. Members work collaboratively to amplify the programs of each organization, share resources to gain efficiencies and identify synergies in achieving soil health and nutrient goals. ISAP’s mission is to create a network to support a systems approach on agriculture lands to improve soil health and reduce nutrient loss. ISAP’s members include: The Nature Conservancy, American Farmland Trust, Precision Conservation Management, Illinois Corn, Illinois Central College, The Wetlands Initiative, The Zea Mays Foundation, Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association, Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, University of Illinois Extension, Agriculture Drainage Management Coalition, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Certified Crop Advisers, and Midwest Dairy.
