The National Milk Producers Federation and the National Dairy FARM Program launched a comprehensive media campaign throughout April to demonstrate how dairy farming families serve as environmental caretakers year-round, extending far beyond Earth Day celebrations.
The organization’s multimedia approach included their latest Farmer Focus feature, a CEO’s Corner editorial, and a Dairy Defined Podcast installment that highlighted the individuals and initiatives driving environmental progress in the dairy industry.
The Farmer Focus segment featured the Van Hofwegen family, who discussed how collecting and analyzing data creates opportunities for the next generation of farmers. They utilize FARM Environmental Stewardship tools to monitor and evaluate their operation’s environmental impact.
Located in Gila Bend, Arizona, Paloma Dairy operates as a family business and member of United Dairymen of Arizona, delivering premium milk products since beginning operations in 2006. The operation runs under the leadership of Robert Sr. alongside his four sons: Allan, Robert Jr., Arie and Kyle.
The dairy operation incorporates energy assessments and information gathered through FARM ES reviews to guide major investments and operational decisions. “You know, we call ourselves dairymen, but it’s agribusiness — business in capital letters,” said Robert Van Hofwegen.
In his monthly editorial, NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud addressed agricultural stewardship, emphasizing that many practices labeled as “sustainability” represent sound business operations and resource efficiency.
“Public discussion about agriculture at times treats stewardship and profitability as parallel conversations — one is about social responsibility (whatever that may mean), while the other is about returns,” the column states.
“A dairy farmer’s reality is very different. On dairies, stewardship is a business strategy that improves efficiency, manages risk, and strengthens U.S. dairy’s competitiveness at home and abroad. Its success hinges upon being farmer‑led, incentive‑based, and grounded in economics rather than mandates.
“Efficiency has always been the foundation. To use a recent buzzword, do you know what ‘regenerative ag’ is to me? It’s the stuff my dad has emphasized on the farm for the past 50 years, and its stuff dairy farmers do every day.”
During April’s Dairy Defined podcast, Nicole Ayache, NMPF’s chief sustainability officer, described how the FARM Program prioritizes farmer needs. The program offers farmers resources to monitor and assess their environmental impact, enabling them to implement operational enhancements. Additionally, it connects farmers with supplementary support including grants, incentive programs, milk premiums and alternative income sources, while helping manage consumer expectations and sharing positive stories about daily dairy farm operations.
Ayache oversees the National Dairy FARM Program’s Environmental Stewardship component and highlighted how responsible resource management and efficiency focus has enhanced dairy production and financial performance, demonstrating farmers’ commitment to serving consumers.
“A lot of stewardship is about efficiency” — but it’s also more than that, Ayache said. “Anyone who chats with farmers know that because you can hear every time you talk to them about their farm and their choices, you can hear their passion for the animals and the land and their care and the nutrition they provide to our country and the world.”
