SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORT
Shaylin Reichard | DFA farmer-owner | Chambersburg, Pa.
NOURISHING A HUNGRY WORLD
As a Cooperative owned by dairy farm families, our mission has always been clear: enriching communities and nourishing lives through the possibilities of dairy. With the world’s population growing and evolving, the demand for affordable, nutritious food has never been greater.
Dairy is that unique bridge between high-quality nutrition and sustainable food production, delivering both without compromise. For generations, U.S. dairy farmers have shown that caring for the land and producing food go together. Through steady innovation and a deep-rooted sense of stewardship, they’ve learned to produce more milk with far fewer resources — in fact, today’s dairy cows yield many times more milk than in decades past, all while using dramatically less land, water, and energy.
These gains are more than impressive numbers because they represent the way dairy farmers have always approached their work: as caretakers of their animals, the environment, and their communities. Compared to 80 years ago, the U.S. dairy industry has reduced its absolute environmental footprint by over 40%, proving that progress and preservation go further together.
That commitment is alive and growing today through key projects like nutrient recovery systems, advanced manure management, and regenerative agriculture practices. Partnerships such as DFA’s collaboration with Mars, help farmers put these innovations into action across entire regions, and support sustainable dairy production well into the future.
Nourishing the planet goes hand in hand with nourishing people — our Cooperative model empowers our 9,500 farmer-owners and 19,000 employees to tackle long-term global challenges, particularly malnutrition. Dairy’s rich nutritional profile, packed with 13 essential vitamins and nutrients, supports everything from brain and heart health to weight management and gut wellness, making it a vital part of feeding a hungry world.
This dual commitment to sustaining the planet and feeding its people is the heart of who we are. By investing in tools, technology, and partnerships that keep farms strong and communities nourished, DFA ensures that dairy remains a resilient, equitable food source for generations to come.
Caring for the land, caring for the people — dairy delivers both.
DENNIS RODENBAUGH President and Chief Executive Officer
Chairman of the Board
RANDY MOONEY
OUR FARMER-OWNERS
DFA exists to provide value to the 9,500 dedicated dairy farmers who own the Cooperative.
WHO WE ARE
We take pride in feeding the world from our family farms, all while taking care of our cows, the environment, and one another.
WE ARE:
Generational
Dairying is a way of life — a passion passed down through generations, and one we’re committed to preserving for those to come. But whether fifth generation or first generation, we treat our animals and land with respect and work tirelessly to nourish families around the world.
Innovative
As DFA farmer-owners, we’re forwardthinking and always working to improve our operations — whether that means embracing technology like milking robots, working with a nutritionist to improve feed rations for our cows, or finding ways to be more efficient.
Sustainable
As longtime caretakers of our herds and the land, sustainability isn’t just an initiative, it’s a responsibility to future generations. It looks a little different on each farm, from keeping soil healthy with regenerative agriculture practices to recycling water, reusing manure, and feeding food scraps to livestock. Many farms also generate renewable energy — all part of a shared commitment to caring for our animals, land, and communities.
Community-minded
Before, after, and in between milkings, DFA farmer-owners are industry leaders, community supporters, school board members, volunteer firefighters, Little League coaches, and more.
These numbers reflect how today’s dairy farmers are evolving to meet both opportunity and challenge. As consumer interest in dairy’s nutrition and flavor grows, farmers are embracing innovation and adapting their operations to stay competitive. This shift highlights a broader transformation in the industry — one driven by resilience, efficiency, and a renewed focus on the future.
Andy and Sarah Lenkaitis | DFA farmer-owners | St. Charles, Ill.
OUR COOPERATIVE
DFA is a farmer-owned dairy Cooperative focusing on quality, innovation, and the future of family dairies.
100% FARMER-OWNED
As a farmer-owned and farmer-governed Cooperative, our 9,500 farmer-owners all have a voice. DFA exists to find a secure home for every drop of our farmer-owners’ milk, and we’re always looking for new ways to deliver value to them, whether that’s through commercial investments, like processing plants and brands, or resources and services to help them run their dairies successfully.
OUR GRASSROOTS GOVERNANCE
Through DFA’s governance structure, there are hundreds of elected positions for our farmer-owners to serve in and help influence the direction of our Cooperative.
OUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES
Mission
Deliver Value to Our Family Farm-Owners as a Leading Global Dairy Cooperative.
Vision
Enriching Communities and Consumers’ Lives Through All the Possibilities of Dairy. Values
Bound Together by Our Values of Integrity, Passion, Quality, and Community.
Our long-term focus on the future of family dairies naturally leads to promoting economic stability and environmental sustainability. What else makes our Cooperative unique:
We secure markets for our farmer-owners’ milk through commercial investments, customers, and joint ventures and alliances
Our farmer-owners invest in every step of the supply chain — from their farms to manufacturing plants to the farmer-owner brands consumers love
Our farmer-owners share in the profits of our commercial businesses through annual patronage payments
Our structure allows farmer-owners to remain independent business owners
Our farmer-owners are paid a competitive price for their milk
We strengthen our farmer-owners’ bargaining power
We capitalize on new marketplace opportunities and compete in the global market
We leverage our presence in communities across the country to give back and serve our neighbors and those in need
Kevin, Gary, and Kent Dotterer | DFA farmer-owners | Rittman, Ohio
OUR BRANDS AT HOME
While supporting and serving 9,500 farmer-owners, DFA manufactures nearly every form, function, and flavor of dairy products, including fluid milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, and dairy ingredients.
19,000 employees
81 wholly owned manufacturing facilities
3,000+ loads of farm fresh milk transported per day
OUR REACH AROUND THE WORLD
On a global scale, we work with some of the world’s leading food companies to develop ingredients that deliver the greatest source of nutrition to consumers around the world, while staying committed to social responsibility and ethical farming.
200+ GLOBAL CUSTOMERS
13,000+ CUSTOMERS SERVED IN 2024
147 million miles of finished goods distribution
30+ forms of dairy products exported
Representative listing of DFA-owned brands
Eloy Rueda | DFA employee | Dallas, Texas
FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABILITY
DFA is focused on enriching communities and consumers’ lives through all the possibilities of dairy. For us, this means producing nutritious dairy products while taking care of our planet for generations of dairy farmers and dairy-loving consumers to come.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE IMPACT
Guided by our values of integrity, passion, quality, and community, DFA strives for environmental preservation and social responsibility through a strong governance structure led by our farmer-owners.
DFA’S MATERIALITY ASSESSMENT
DFA conducts a materiality assessment every three years, aligning with the U.S. dairy industry’s assessment cycle through the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. This materiality assessment helps identify our most important priorities and guides where we will focus our efforts over the next few years in order to have the greatest impact.
Our sustainability priorities span the entire dairy value chain, from farm to consumer, and fall into two main categories:
FOUNDATIONAL PRIORITIES
OUR LONG-TERM SUCCESS
Farmer resilience: Supporting farmers’ economic viability and quality of life
Product safety and quality: Ensuring the highest product standards
Animal care: Promoting the health and well-being of animals
Workforce and ethics: Maintaining safe workplaces, fair business practices, and regulatory compliance standards
VALUE CHAIN PRIORITIES
THE FOCUS AT EACH STAGE OF THE DAIRY PROCESS
On the farm: Soil health, biodiversity, water conservation, and emissions reductions
Processing and distribution: Sustainable packaging, waste reduction, and responsible resource use
People and community: Workforce availability, rural economic support, inclusion, and engagement
In the industry: Public policy engagement, customer partnerships, and responsible industry growth
To learn more about the U.S. Dairy materiality assessment, visit usdairy.com and search for “materiality assessment.”
OUR PLANET
We are committed to accelerating innovation that supports the work already being done to reduce dairy’s environmental footprint.
OUR PEOPLE
We put our people first. We want all our employees and farmers to thrive, which is why we work to provide a safe and welcoming workplace and support a positive culture.
OUR COMMUNITIES
We enrich our communities with the nutritional goodness of dairy by providing a direct connection to where our food comes from and with ongoing support to our communities.
WHAT WE’RE AIMING FOR
DFA is working toward a science-based target of 30% reduction in absolute emissions across the business by 2030.
The dairy industry is working toward greenhouse gas (GHG) neutrality by 2050 while optimizing water use and maximizing water recycling.
Brian Vander Eyk | DFA
farmer-owner | Pixley, Calif.
OUR COMMITMENT
DFA participates in the Sustainable Dairy Partnership (SDP), a global approach to sustainability that drives continuous improvement in key areas like environmental stewardship and animal care. SDP is built on the Dairy Sustainability Framework (DSF), a set of sustainability standards developed and adopted by the dairy industry globally. DFA aligns with DSF and SDP standards to support sustainability goals such as deforestation prevention and responsible resource management, while upholding foundational business principles like legal compliance and ethical practices. DFA is third-party verified at Stage 3 of 5 of SDP, showing real progress and our commitment to continuous improvement.
We report progress in key areas through SDP, with the following achievements from 2024:
37% of farms support biodiversity on their operations 60% of farms that grow crops have nutrient management plans
74% of farms that irrigate implement water-saving technology
75% of farms that grow crops use cover cropping or conservation tillage
9% reduction in DFA’s Scope 3 emissions from baseline
100% of farms undergo Animal Care evaluations by certified second-party evaluators
Third-party verified at Stage 3 of 5 of SDP
SUSTAINABLE DAIRY PARTNERSHIP PILLARS
DFA uses an internationally recognized program, the FARM Animal Care Program, to demonstrate high standards of animal care
NO DEFORESTATION
DFA has created a deforestation risk assessment to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable supply chains
HUMAN RIGHTS
DFA’s robust Code of Conduct ensures human rights are well protected
LEGAL COMPLIANCE ANIMAL CARE
DFA’s governance and ethics structure promotes accountability and ensures adherence to all applicable laws and regulations
Doug and Erik Shelmidine DFA farmer-owners | Adams, N.Y.
OUR FOOTPRINT
We are ensuring a better tomorrow by working toward a net zero — or better — GHG footprint for our Cooperative and the U.S. dairy industry.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE
Our farmer-owners continue to make efforts — big and small — to care for the planet, and with access to opportunities like equipment cost share, practice support, and technical assistance, they can do even more. Funding from DFA customers, government grants, carbon markets, and sustainable agriculture financing programs are many of the ways farmer-owners can implement practices on their farms to meet their environmental and economic goals.
On-farm sustainability projects include the implementation of manure management projects, regenerative agriculture practices for feed production, enteric emission reductions, and adding renewable energy to a farm’s energy profile, among others.
PARTNERING FOR THE PLANET
No single organization can tackle climate challenges alone — which is why DFA is partnering with global dairy groups that foster collaboration, highlight progress, and accelerate sustainability across the industry. We’re also working with other organizations to develop robust platforms for reducing carbon emissions, while our internal teams collaborate to bring innovative, sustainable opportunities to our farmer-owners.
2024 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
ALLIANCE FOR THE CHESAPEAKE BAY PROJECTS
WE’RE MAKING PROGRESS *
9% decrease in DFA’s Scope 3 emissions from baseline GHG FOOTPRINT
SCOPE 1:
Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources
SCOPE 2:
Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy
SCOPE 3:
Indirect emissions in the DFA supply chain
SCIENCE-BASED TARGET COMMITMENT
WORKING TOWARD A
REDUCTION IN ABSOLUTE EMISSIONS ACROSS THE BUSINESS BY 2030 * 30%
*2018 baseline
DFA partners with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay on specific initiatives, including a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation-funded Small Watershed Grant and a project that provided farmers with updated manure management plans and agricultural erosion and sedimentation control plans.
Goal: These projects, located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, are designed to provide farmers with resources that help maintain productive agricultural land while also protecting local waterways, improving soil health, and advancing shared supply chain climate goals in their regions.
Project partner: The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is a nonprofit organization that supports DFA and individual farms by offering grant writing assistance, streamlined funding expertise, and technical assistance. This partnership helps accelerate the adoption of tailored and accessible environmental solutions on farms.
Progress: So far, more than $1.25 million in grant and customer funding has been committed to on-farm projects, with additional interest continuing to grow.
Practices: The projects support soil health, erosion control, and effective manure management. They provide design help for early improvements and, for farms pursuing larger investments, financial support for practices like manure solid-liquid separation, cover crops, and reduced tillage. The Alliance also helps create riparian buffer zones to protect water quality.
Thomas Enneking DFA farmer-owner | Centralia, Kan.
HOW WE’RE SHARING OUR SUSTAINABILITY STORY
Our farmer-owners have always cared for their land and animals in innovative ways. We’re sharing their stories to help consumers feel confident about the dairy they enjoy — all with a better understanding of how dairy farm practices contribute to feeding a hungry world with sustainably made dairy products.
LEARN MORE AT DFAMILK.COM/SUSTAINABILITY
Jamie Brown | DFA farmer-owner | Blanchard, Okla.
WHAT WE’RE DOING ON OUR FARMS
ON OUR FARMS
DFA farmer-owners have been recycling water, conserving energy, and improving soil for generations. Building on these everyday practices, DFA helps connect them to additional value streams, letting them benefit from the conservation work they’re already doing or capitalize on new opportunities.
22
SOLID-LIQUID SEPARATORS
Cow manure is separated to fertilize crops or is dried for animal bedding.
35% estimated reductions in manure GHG emissions
8 new solid-liquid separators available to farmer-owners through one DFA customer-funded project
REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
Farming and grazing practices that protect and replenish soil and store carbon.
915,644 no-till acres
85% DFA farmer-owners have a soil management plan
871,423 cover crop acres
ANAEROBIC DIGESTERS
Turning cow manure back into renewable energy.
782,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions reduced per year
86 DFA farmer-owners have a digester installed on their farm
SOLAR PANELS
Transforming the sun’s power into energy to reduce electricity needs.
20x smaller carbon footprint than coal
100% renewable energy goes to the farm, with an option to supply the power grid
141 DFA farmer-owners have solar panels installed on their farm
WATER RECYCLING
From cooling the milk to cooling the cows, water is used in many ways on a dairy farm.
4x average times water is recycled
47% DFA farmer-owners have formalized water recycling practices
1,493 DFA farmer-owners recycle water used to cool the temperature of fresh milk
717 DFA farmer-owners recycle their wash water used for cleaning milking parlors and some bulk tanks
BIODIVERSITY
Safeguarding natural habitats on farms supports biodiversity, which enriches soil health, boosts crop yields, provides natural pest control, and enhances ecosystem services.
37% DFA farmer-owners protect natural habitat on their property
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
All active DFA-led projects, once completed, are estimated to result in a reduction of 4.7 million metric tons of CO2e emissions after five years. This is equivalent to removing 1.1 million cars from the road for one year.
Stacy Rottinghaus DFA farmer-owner | Seneca, Kan.
Courtney and Greg Watts DFA farmer-owners | Lee, Fla.
WHAT WE’RE DOING AT OUR PLANTS
ACROSS OUR FACILITIES
We’re turning sustainability goals into action. For example, all five DFA plants in California launched an emissions-reduction project designed to cut energy use by 20%. In addition, four other DFA plants conducted energy audits to uncover more savings by purchasing renewable energy credits to offset usage on behalf of our customers — proving that progress happens plant by plant.
By the numbers
In 2024, across DFA’s 81 plants, 3,047 loads of milk per day were transported from farms to plants, covering over 150 million miles across the country.
IN ADDITION:
40 million+
gallons of water across DFA plants were recovered during milk processing for reuse in facility maintenance, helping to reduce water consumption
1,739 megawatts
of solar energy were produced at the DFA plant in Middlebury Center, Pa.
170,000+
tons of waste from DFA plants diverted from landfills and instead recycled, reused as animal feed, or processed in an anaerobic digester
COMMITMENT TO CARE
DFA’s manufacturing plants continue to lead impactful initiatives that drive meaningful and sustainable changes. For decades, these plants have prioritized water recycling and energy conservation, while also advancing renewable energy, waste diversion, and solar power generation. By continually reducing our environmental footprint, DFA is reinforcing its commitment to driving change in the industry for a stronger, more resilient future for the communities we serve.
FARM PRACTICES AND ANIMAL CARE
As stewards of the land and animals in their care, DFA farmer-owners are committed to providing consumers with high-quality milk that is produced responsibly.
GOLD STANDARD DAIRY PROGRAM
DFA is proud of the long history of stewardship and care that our farmer-owners demonstrate in the management of their land, animals, and the natural resources on which they rely every day. We highlight this commitment and hard work through our Cooperative’s Gold Standard Dairy Program. Insights gained from the program help DFA in advocating for the issues that matter most to dairy farmers, guide our strategy and operations, and shape valuable services, products, and partnerships that support our farmer-owners and their farms.
Launched in 2007, the program is regularly updated to reflect what matters most to our farmers and customers. It highlights the realities of dairy farming, supports continuous improvement, and aligns our farmer-owners, Cooperative, and customers in delivering high-quality milk and dairy products.
ANIMALCAREANDWELL-BEING ENVIRONMENTALSTEWARDSHIP
KEY AREAS
ANIMAL CARE AND WELL-BEING
• Evaluating animal housing and access to feed and water
• Observing practices to maintain herd health and comfort
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
• Measuring energy use and feed production
• Renewable energy sourcing and participation in environmental programs
LAND STEWARDSHIP
• Cropping and regenerative agriculture practices
• Soil management, water use, and land and soil treatments
MILK QUALITY
• Testing and regulatory compliance
• Herd and facility health management
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
• Maintaining a safe work environment for farm employees
DFA adopts National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program to establish industry standards that support best management practices on dairy farms. The FARM Program supports dairy farms in animal care, environmental stewardship, workforce management, and farm biosecurity topics.
Jonathan and Jack Postma DFA farmer-owners | Modesto, Calif.
SETTING THE STANDARD
Animal care and well-being
At the heart of every dairy farm are the cows, and behind every dairy farm are hardworking, committed DFA farmer-owners, farm employees, and other farm partners dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of cow care. Demonstrating our commitment to animal care and well-being, DFA farmer-owners participate in NMPF’s FARM Animal Care program, an industry-wide, industry-led, standards-based program for monitoring animal well-being.
Land and environmental stewardship
DFA’s farmer-owners are committed to producing wholesome dairy while protecting our water, soil, and natural habitats. While continuing to perfect traditional farm practices that preserve the environment, they also utilize sustainable innovations and new technology on the farm. Additionally, our farmer-owners can participate in the FARM Environmental Stewardship assessment. This tool calculates a GHG and energy footprint for the farm, others in the region, and nationally — allowing farmers to understand their environmental impact, improve efficiency, increase resiliency, and make informed decisions for their operations over time.
Milk quality
When it comes to the quality of our milk, our standards ensure that milk coming from DFA’s farmer-owners is safe, nutritious, and of the highest quality. We abide by strict guidelines, including milking protocols, regulatory testing, employee training on milking procedures, and routine facility upkeep.
Workforce development
Vital to any farming operation are the people who care every day for the animals and the land. The Gold Standard Dairy Program incorporates components from the FARM Workforce Development program to support farmer-owners in generating a safe environment for their workforce. In addition, this pillar of our program connects our farmers to helpful resources for employee management processes and procedures, and promotes positive human resources on the farm.
Mark Harrison DFA farmer-owner | Loudon, Tenn.
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
DFA’s culture is designed to reinforce collaboration, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. This framework serves to help us harness the power of community — by collectively upholding our shared values while contributing to unique perspectives, experiences, and skills in order to advance DFA’s mission, vision, and values.
COMMUNITY PILLARS
GIVE
We give back to our communities by donating products and funds to those in need
SERVE
We serve our communities by volunteering our time and resources
BUILD
We build a sense of community inside and outside of DFA through connection and collaboration
DRIVING CONNECTIONS AND COLLABORATION THROUGH:
INTERNAL PROGRAMS
FOUR EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS (ERGS)
These are voluntarily led by employees to connect and support them in their professional and personal development, networking, and driving community engagement.
EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS
12 NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
These enable diverse talent pipelines, offer advisory board opportunities, and host annual conferences for continued engagement.
$46,000 IN GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
These benefit students across the country, helping support their education and future in agriculture and beyond.
EMPLOYEE CONNECTIONS
100+
employees attended a Black History Month session hosted by Veterans ERG
400+
employees attended a Women’s History Month panel, hosted by EmpowHER ERG
176
community-related DairyU courses completed by employees
Sarah Moore and Sarah Vanadia DFA employees | Kansas City, Kan.
Sheila White and Alexa Scott DFA employees | Dallas, Texas
Selena Kanosh
DFA employee | St. George, Utah
OUR EMPLOYEES
Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety, and overall well-being of our employees in every role throughout our Cooperative.
WELLNESS PROGRAM
From emotional health and fitness challenges to cybersecurity training, the DFA wellness program drives education and awareness for holistic health topics to address stressors or challenges our employees may be facing.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
At no cost, DFA offers an Employee Assistance Program to all employees and family members that reside in the same household, through SupportLinc. Services include sourcing childcare and adult care, financial and legal services, and counseling.
Rooted in our value of integrity, our compliance program champions the expectation that everyone adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct every day in every way. Through our Integrity Helpline and website, employees have a mechanism to express any concerns or issues in a protected, anonymous way.
98% of employees completed our Code of Conduct training in 2024
95 employees recognized as Integrity All-Stars who uphold our value of integrity in all they do
120
Value Integrity liaisons throughout the Cooperative who champion our values and Code of Conduct
Hernando Herrera and Henry Dropps DFA employees | Portales, New Mexico
Chad Deal DFA employee | Cabool, Mo.
Sonia Lowenberg and Dwain Wooley DFA employees | Dallas, Texas
Jaden Castinado and Mona Deister DFA employees | Kansas City, Kan.
DFA CARES FOUNDATION
Giving back to communities down the road and across the world.
A DIFFERENCE THAT MATTERS
As a purpose-driven Cooperative, community has always been at the core of who we are. We are dedicated to giving back to all the communities we touch — starting with the local towns where we live and work to communities across the world that are nourished by the goodness of dairy.
While caring for our communities has always been a shared value, we were moved to formalize our commitment in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region and impacted our member farms. At that time, the DFA Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit governed by a farmer-leader board of directors, was established.
FOCUSED ON FOUR KEY AREAS:
HUNGER DISASTER RELIEF VETERAN SUPPORT YOUTH EDUCATION
PROVIDING SUPPORT BY:
Giving of monetary or product donations
Serving in our communities through volunteer opportunities
Educating and bringing awareness to all the possibilities of dairy through our DFA community
WAYS WE GIVE BACK
DFA CARES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Our Cooperative and the dairy industry need accountants, scientists, engineers, computer technicians, market analysts, writers, and so many more professionals to ensure families down the road and across the world are nourished with the goodness of dairy. That’s why every year we select more than 50 students to benefit from our scholarship fund.
$83,000 awarded to 64 students in 2024
DFA CARES FARMER-OWNER AND EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUNDS
FARMER-OWNER AND EMPLOYEE RELIEF
When natural disasters or other devastating events impact the farm, farmer-owner families are able to apply for and receive monetary support through DFA Cares.
Our DFA Cares Employee Relief Fund, supported by employee donations, provides monetary help to employees when crises arise, such as medical emergencies, family funerals, and more.
THE GIVING COW FOUNDATION
Part of DFA Cares, The Giving Cow Foundation was started in 2020 by Kemps®, a farmer-owned brand of DFA. The Giving Cow Foundation distributes shelf-stable milk through backpack programs and local food shelves in various regions of the United States.
5 MILLION+
units of milk and $500,000 have been donated since inception
GIVING OUR TIME AND MORE
Whether it be through monetary support or by volunteering our time, we know our employees live DFA’s value of community as active members of their communities outside of work.
Our volunteer logging system enables us to count, map, and share all the ways our employees give back to their communities. This tool allows us to get a better picture of our Cooperative’s charitable reach and ensures we are making an impact across diverse communities.
A HELPING HAND IN TIMES OF NEED
In addition to providing community services and scholarships, the DFA Cares Foundation helps our farmerowners get back on their feet physically and financially after natural disasters.
The foundation provided critical support to the Watts family of Full Circle Dairy in Florida after they were struck by three hurricanes in 14 months.
“DFA was one of the first phone calls we got. They offered generators and manpower to help us get our herd to safety,” Philip Watts says.
A PURPOSE BUILT TO LAST
Dairy has always been more than a product; it’s a promise. A promise kept every day by resilient farmers who rise early, face challenges directly, and remain committed to feeding families, strengthening communities, and protecting the earth’s resources.
Our Cooperative’s responsibility is seen in how our farmer-owners care for their herds, steward the land, and invest in the future — and in how our employees bring expertise, passion, and hard work to ensure that promise is fulfilled every day. Together, as One DFA, we create a foundation of trust and strength that nourishes families now and for generations to come.
DRIVING CHANGE YEAR OVER YEAR
Our sustainability work is never static. The measurable progress DFA made in 2024 set the stage for bold steps in 2025 — each accelerating our efforts and building toward a sustainable future for our farms, plants, and communities.
Precision in progress
We developed a cutting-edge tool that not only measures emissions but also tracks our progress in reducing them across all DFA-owned plants, ensuring greater accuracy and efficiency.
Championing sustainability
We kept the momentum going by relentlessly communicating sustainability opportunities and available funding to our DFA farmer-owners and staff, driving awareness and action.
Igniting big changes
We kicked off large-scale sustainability projects, laying the foundation for a more resilient dairy supply chain and delivering tangible value to participating farmer-owners.
Shaping the future
We launched a revamped Gold Standard Dairy Program, designed to provide direct and relevant support to our farmer-owners as they continue their sustainability journey.
Elevating measurement
We’re raising the bar by increasing FARM Environmental Stewardship engagement on farms, streamlining our project measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MMRV) process, and refining carbon measurement and traceability — all while rolling out our emissions measurement tool across DFA-owned plants.
Strengthening partnerships
By expanding our collaboration with trusted partners, we’ll create more opportunities and drive even greater value for DFA farmer-owners throughout the Cooperative.
Fueling growth and innovation
We’re committed to designing innovative projects that not only reduce emissions across the supply chain but also deliver long-term value directly back to our farmer-owners.
NOTES
Cover photo: Derek Alger | DFA farmer-owner | Friona, Texas