Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy Accepting Nominations for Sustainability Awards

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, established under the leadership of dairy farmers, is now accepting nominations for the second year of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards. The program recognizes dairy farms, businesses and collaborative partnerships for contributions to healthy people, healthy products and a healthy planet, the organization said.

Nominations are open through Nov. 15 to all segments of the U.S. Dairy value chain for the following categories:

• Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability
• Outstanding Dairy Processing & Manufacturing Sustainability
• Outstanding Achievement in Renewable Energy
• Outstanding Achievement in Energy Efficiency

"It is a commitment to continuous improvement and leadership that sustains dairy farms and businesses from one generation to the next, regardless of unpredictable weather or economic conditions," said Paul Rovey, owner of Rovey Dairy and chairman of Dairy Management Inc. "Through the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards, we want to recognize individuals across the dairy supply chain for their success as a result of innovation, ingenuity and persistence."

An independent panel of judges will evaluate all nominations based on the program's or project's results as measured by "triple-bottom-line success" -- economic, environmental and social, the organization said. Judges will also assess the potential for adoption of the practices by other dairy farms and businesses, demonstrated learning, innovation and improvement, and scalabilty. 

To find out more about the awards, visit USDairy.com.