NMPF’s Bjerga Discusses CEO’s Corner, Trade Growth

 

NMPF’s Senior Vice President for Communications, Alan Bjerga, discusses NMPF’s “CEO’s Corner” for June, which deals with U.S. dairy’s growing leadership in sustainable dairy exports. The monthly thought-leadership series highlights key dairy issues of the day from an NMPF perspective and is part of the organization’s “Sharing Our Story” initiative that spotlights farmer voices and industry commentary. Bjerga spoke on WEKZ radio, Janesville, Wisconsin.

Farmer Focus: 13th Generation. Massachusetts Farmers Rely on Sustainability and Community for Dairy’s Longevity

ARLINGTON, VA – Darryl and Lucinda Williams operate the Belden dairy farm in Hatfield, MA. Their family has been farming the land since 1661. Over the course of 360 years and 13 generations, much has changed – from the development of electric power to the innovation of methane digesters, one of which now produces 2.5 kilowatts of electricity per year on the Williamses’ farm. What has stayed the same is the family’s dedication to their community and stewardship of the land.

“We can’t be expected to continue to work with 1940s, ‘50s, ‘60s technology – just like we’ve got our cell phones and no longer use the old rotary that we had,” Lucinda says. “We can’t continue to thrive as an industry without moving into the new world.”

In the latest Farmer Focus, the Williamses talk about how they use their digester on a smaller farm and what it takes to keep a long family tradition intact.

For more Farmer Focus stories, co-sponsored by NMPF and the FARM Program, check out NMPF’s Sharing Our Story page, which also includes its Dairy Defined thought-leadership series and CEO’s Corner, a monthly column from NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern.

NMPF’s Bjerga on Food Box, Vaccinations, and Butter’s Bright Future

NMPF Senior Vice President of Communications Alan Bjerga discusses the rise and fall of the Farmers to Families Food Box program and the potential for improved food-assistance programs, along with the need for stepped-up rural COVID vaccinations and how the pandemic could brighten the long-term outlook for butter. Discussion on WEKZ radio, Janesville, Wisconsin.

NMPF’s Bjerga on COVID Community Corps

NMPF’s Senior Vice President for Communications, Alan Bjerga, discusses dairy’s leadership in getting farmers and farmworkers vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as NMPF’s membership in the federally led COVID Community Corps, in audio from an interview with RFD-TV.

 

Wisconsin dairy uses planting, cropping strategies for sustainability

Arlington, VA – Kris Scheider manages and operates Zirbel Dairy Farms in De Pere, WI with his in-laws. Together they prioritize soil health and sustainable farming practices on the dairy operation, implementing cover cropping and no-till farming practices and last summer incorporating 400 acres of forage sorghum into their cows’ feed ration.

In the latest Farmer Focus, Scheider talks about how continuous improvement is important to their sustainability strategy.

“I think the biggest key to a sustainable operation is you’re always putting your best foot forward and you’re always improving the ground that you’ve got,” says Scheider, Vice President of the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Farmer Advisory Council and a member of NMPF’s Young Cooperators program.

For more Farmer Focus stories, co-sponsored by NMPF and the FARM Program, check out NMPF’s Sharing Our Story page, which also includes its Dairy Defined thought-leadership series and CEO’s Corner, a monthly column from NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern.

NMPF’s Sweeney-Murphy Explains Vaccination Resources

NMPF’s Theresa Sweeney-Murphy says confusion can vary by state or even among counties for when for COVID vaccines will be available for essential food and ag workers. “There are 50 states, and they each have different plans for distributing vaccines,” she said in an interview with the Brownfield Ag News She says a new toolbox aims to answer COVID questions and help dairy farmers navigate the continually changing eligibility requirements.

FARM Program’s Yeiser Stepp on Rethinking Dairy Engagement

Emily Yeiser Stepp, NMPF’s vice president for the National Dairy FARM Program, discusses how 2020 changed the way dairy-sector engagement has pivoted into the virtual world. She speaks on RFD-TV.

https://www.rfdtv.com/story/43427310/rethinking-engagement-strategies-in-the-dairy-industry