Sustainability

Sustainability and Prairie Farms

“As dairy producers, we understand how important it is that we do everything we can to care for the land in order to ensure it sustains future generations.”

–Ed Mullins, CEO, Prairie Farms

 What is sustainability?

At Prairie Farms, sustainability is a commitment to producing, processing and delivering dairy products in a manner that improves the state of our land, the lives of our employees, our animals, our communities, our partners and our consumers. Sustainability means reducing, reusing and recycling at every single stage of the production and distribution process.

According to the U.S. Congress, “the term sustainable agriculture means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:

  • Satisfy human food and fiber needs;
  • Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends;
  • Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;
  • Sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and
  • Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole."

Why is sustainability important?

This is our land and for centuries we have lived and worked it, and it has in turn repaid our diligence and stewardship. Today’s farmers are more sustainable than ever, but the work doesn’t stop there. We need to continue working hard to preserve the delicate balance between the Earth and our expanding world.

Is sustainability new?

Though sustainability is a growing concern among consumers, farmers have been working to do more with less year after year. In fact, today’s farmers are far more efficient than ever thanks to new technology and research. Farming is an ever-changing and evolving world, and you’ll find farmers are some of the most technologically advanced people around! From robotic milking and GPS to variable-rate application of nutrients and seed technology, agriculture is more efficient than ever.

What about corporate responsibility?

Just as our farmer-owners are a part of the communities they serve, so are our processing plants. That means in every step of the chain, from production to processing to delivery, Prairie Farms insists on achieving the best practices exceeding standards for safety and quality.

When moving our products from the farm to the plant, and from the plant to the store, we choose fuel-saving routes whenever possible. We also make sure our routes have cold-storage facilities nearby to ensure our dairy products stay as fresh as possible throughout their short journey from farm to table.

Download the Full Report

Prairie Farms and Hiland Dairy 2019 Sustainability Report

Corporate Social Responsibility

Donations
Community Service and Volunteering

Total: $1,041,912

$855,362 in Dairy Product Donations
$186,550 in Cash

26,545 Hours

Equivalent to Over 3 Years of Time Given by Employees

total investment in energy saving projects:
$4.7 Million

Energy Saving Projects: 
$1,585,837 Annual Savings

2.45 Million kWh of Electricity - Enough to power approximately 224 American homes for a year.

10.8 Billion cu/ft of Natural Gas - More than enough natural gas to heat 7,500 American homes for 20 years.

Water Saving Projects:
Reduced Consumption by 6.8 Million Gallons of Water

Saving equivalent to about 62 American families' average water use for a year.

22.8 Million Pounds of Material Recycled

100.3 Million Pounds of Material Diverted From Landfills

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