GOING GREEN(er) BY GLENYE CAIN OAKFORD
For many farm owners, the first step toward building a more environmentally friendly operation isn’t voluntary; they get pushed onto the path of greater sustainability when a neighbor complains about a manure pile or a local agency cites them for a contaminated waterway. That scenario is increasingly common in areas where suburban sprawl is creeping closer to farmland, and it can take an unsuspecting equine property owner by surprise. For others, the impulse to “go green”—or at least
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greener—is driven more by concerns about climate change, biodiversity, and soil health. Whatever their reason for exploring better sustainability, equine operations that do pursue greener practices can reap surprising rewards, including lower costs, new revenue streams, greater efficiency, and the satisfaction of contributing to a healthier environment. Phil Le Dorze, who co-owns IOS Ranch on Bainbridge Island, Wash., with his wife Juliet, has enjoyed those benefits and more.
PHOTO: SHELLEY PAULSON PHOTOGRAPHY
If you’re on the fence about trying to make your equine operation more environmentally friendly, consider the costs of the status quo—not only to the wider environment, but also to your bottom line, sustainability experts suggest.
