top of page
DMI-SFS-CentralManor-PA_195_edited.jpg

Getting

Started

Assess Farm Footprint

The U.S. dairy industry created the FARM Environmental Stewardship Program (FARM ES) to provide a comprehensive estimate of greenhouse gas emissions and energy use on dairy farms. This tool can be used to obtain a baseline understanding of a farm's environmental footprint. The FARM ES module asks a set of questions to assess a farm’s carbon and energy footprint – reducing the burden on farmers while still providing reliable, statistically robust estimates that explain 98% of the variability in total carbon footprint.​​
 

  • FARM ES Conservation Practice Questionnaire (CPQ): An optional add-on questionnaire to the FARM ES Version 2 evaluation focuses on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use; the CPQ goes beyond these topics to ask about dairy farmers’ field and dairy-level conservation practices to capture a more holistic sustainability story.
     

  • FARM ES Version 3: The new version of the software can run custom 'what-if' scenarios, where users can change various inputs to determine the impact on farm emissions.​

GETTING STARTED

Assess Farm Footprint

The U.S. dairy industry created the FARM Environmental Stewardship Program (FARM ES) to provide a comprehensive estimate of greenhouse gas emissions and energy use on dairy farms. This tool can be used to obtain a baseline understanding of a farm's environmental footprint. The FARM ES module asks a set of questions to assess a farm’s carbon and energy footprint – reducing the burden on farmers while still providing reliable, statistically robust estimates that explain 98% of the variability in total carbon footprint.​​

  • FARM ES Conservation Practice Questionnaire (CPQ): An optional add-on questionnaire to the FARM ES Version 2 evaluation focuses on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use; the CPQ goes beyond these topics to ask about dairy farmers’ field and dairy-level conservation practices to capture a more holistic sustainability story.
     

  • FARM ES Version 3: The new version of the software can run custom 'what-if' scenarios, where users can change various inputs to determine the impact on farm emissions.​

DMI-SmallFarms-Grayhouse-020_edited.jpg

Explore Technologies and Practice Changes

There are numerous options for reducing a farm's environmental footprint. Most practices and technologies that increase efficiency and reduce waste can also support sustainability. Additionally, environmental sustainability practices can solve problems and create opportunities for expansion and growth. These practices can reduce workload and increase profitability. However, some emerging methods still require further research to validate their potential.

  • Dairy Conservation Navigator: The platform contains information about  environmental, economic, and management implications for 80+ practices, both common and emerging, in all areas of the farm.
     

  • Newtrient Dairy Manure 101: The website contains information about technologies commonly used alone or together to treat and manage manure. 

Farmers should consider working with trusted local farm advisors, including co-ops, to determine which practices could be suitable for implementation in their specific operations.

Plan and Implement

Dairy farmers looking to implement new sustainability practices can leverage information from DMI partner organizations:

  • Technology Vendors: The Newtrient Solutions Catalog provides an objective review of manure management technology vendors.
     

  • Funding Programs: The NMPF FARM Conservation Practice Resources Database supports users to identify federal, state, and county cost-share programs, carbon markets, and grants to support their initiatives.
     

  • Technical Support: The CTIC Conservation Connector will allow producers, landowners, and trusted advisors, including co-ops, to find programs and service providers who can help plan, implement, and verify voluntary conservation and climate-smart ag practices. 

​​

By using these resources, dairy farmers can overcome financial barriers and invest in sustainability initiatives that benefit the environment and improve the long-term viability and resilience of their operations. Additionally, adopting sustainable practices can enhance market access and consumer appeal, providing further incentives for dairy farmers to embrace sustainability.

8aaff4_459ecc2f5c904b099219066b81559647~mv2.jpg

GETTING STARTED

Assess Farm Footprint

The U.S. dairy industry created the FARM Environmental Stewardship Program (FARM ES) to provide a comprehensive estimate of greenhouse gas emissions and energy use on dairy farms. This tool can be used to obtain a baseline understanding of a farm's environmental footprint. The FARM ES module asks a set of questions to assess a farm’s carbon and energy footprint – reducing the burden on farmers while still providing reliable, statistically robust estimates that explain 98% of the variability in total carbon footprint.​​
 

  • FARM ES Conservation Practice Questionnaire (CPQ): An optional add-on questionnaire to the FARM ES Version 2 evaluation focuses on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use; the CPQ goes beyond these topics to ask about dairy farmers’ field and dairy-level conservation practices to capture a more holistic sustainability story.
     

  • FARM ES Version 3: The new version of the software can run custom 'what-if' scenarios, where users can change various inputs to determine the impact on farm emissions.​

FARM ES Conservation Practice Questionnaire (CPQ)

An optional add-on questionnaire to the FARM ES Version 2 evaluation focuses on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use; the CPQ goes beyond these topics to ask about dairy farmers’ field and dairy-level conservation practices to capture a more holistic sustainability

FARM ES Version 3

The new version of the software can run custom 'what-if' scenarios, where users can change various inputs to determine the impact on farm emissions.​

Explore

LEARNING HUB
FARM ES PROGRAM
bottom of page