(BPT) - According to the USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture, this is the first time since before the Civil War that the number of US farms has fallen below 2 million. In California, local family-owned dairy farms hold a critical role but an endangered one. It's important to support California’s family-owned dairy farms now more than ever.
Luckily, California is home to some of the country’s most innovative and sustainable dairies, which are crucial to the state’s local food system. Regenerative practices. In places like Sonoma and Marin Counties, climate plans rely on dairy farms and undeveloped grasslands for carbon sequestration and ecosystem services.
A dairy brand leading the way is Clover Sonoma with one of the largest regeneratively managed organic dairy footprints in California. From rotational grazing and no-till planting practices to continuous vegetative cover and the use of native grasses, 100% of their organic dairies implement at least five regenerative agriculture practices. The results? Improved carbon capture, soil water retention capability, increased crop productivity for their cows, soil microbial diversity and land resilience.
Animal welfare. Animal welfare is a core value for dairy farmers. In 2000, Clover Sonoma was the first US dairy brand to earn American Humane certification across its entire network of family farms.
Upholding the highest standards means zero tolerance for animal abuse, extensive employee training, a herd health plan overseen by .