Edge is laying more groundwork for dairy farmers to be involved in conversations at the federal level about climate. This will be a top priority for the new administration and Congress, and it is going to command a lot of our attention. We need to make sure the dairy community plays a key role in shaping any new programs or regulations.
As we all know, farmers have always been leaders in caring for the environment. If you’re looking to protect water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, farmers know how to do it. We have solutions, and we are getting more innovative all the time, including in how we make our conservation efforts financially viable.
Edge’s position is that environmentally focused policies that affect agriculture should be guided by farmers, grounded in science, driven by the market, and flexible enough to allow for innovation at the farm level.
A great example of the farming community’s attention to conservation is the growing number of farmer-led watershed groups. They are focused on continuous improvement and using science and data to measure that improvement. Many of our members participate. My own farm is part of one of these groups. It’s amazing to see the momentum we have gained.
As the climate conversation expands, Edge and our members are in a great position to show leadership. The more involved we are, the more effective and workable the outcomes will be.
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