American Dairy Assocaition North East partnered with the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District in New York to coordinate a dairy farm tour for 25+ environmental students and faculty from Rochester Institute of Technology, Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Finger Lakes Community College.
We visited Lawnhurst Farms in Stanley, N.Y., where farm owner Don Jensen, along with staff from Cornell’s ProDairy team, Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District and Chevron explained the journey of manure on the farm, including:
- Manure production and collection
- Manure storage for responsible manure management
- Methane digester – turning manure into energy
- Field manure application
- Manure regulation with comprehensive nutrient management plans
The group also discussed field management practices for crop production and soil health.
“Dairy farmers are committed to protecting land, water and air resources and are willing to share their sustainability stories,” said ADA North East CEO John Chrisman. “Making these connections with students early in their environmental careers helps establish a long-term trust in the dairy industry.”