On the farm, “sustainability” is a daily commitment to caring for animals, the land, and our air and water resources — while never forgetting the importance of putting affordable, nutritious food on the tables of millions of consumers.

In the last year, California dairy farmers continued and expanded major long-term programs to protect air and water, while launching major new efforts related to animal care and climate change. Never has the need for innovative, sustainable farming been more important. Throughout our website, you’ll learn about our programs, and hear from dairy farmers about their individual efforts.

Humane animal care initiative. California dairy families acknowledge their moral and ethical responsibility to provide proper care and treatment of cattle. More and more consumers want assurance, too, that animals raised for food are treated humanely. In 2009, national dairy organizations working with animal scientists and veterinarians developed the National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management, with standards for animal care and a system for independent verification of good practices.You’ll learn more about our plans to make Dairy FARM a success in California.

Climate change initiative. Did you know that cattle have a “carbon footprint”? California dairy farmers are leading the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and are cooperating with national efforts to further reduce their impact.The carbon footprint of a glass of milk has dropped nearly two-thirds in the past 65 years! We’ll explain why, and what we’re doing to better understand the issue and make further progress.

World-class environmental protection. You may already know that every new or expanding dairy in California undergoes strict environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Did you also know that California dairies operate under the nation’s strictest dairy air and water quality protection regulations? We’ll explain how these work and the investments dairy families have made to protect the resources we all share.

Feeding the world. One of the great challenges of the next generation will be providing nutritious, afford- able food to a global population expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050 — without any new land or water re- sources and while trying to reduce our energy use. Dairy farmers are optimistic they can play an important role in meeting this challenge.