May 3, 2023

By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media

In business since 2009, Maple Hill Creamery has been a pioneer in regenerative agriculture as America’s original and largest 100 percent grass-fed, organic dairy company. 

The company has made healthy soil the cornerstone of their entire business model and works endlessly the farmers within its network who utilize only organic 100 percent, grass-fed methods to develop and implement practices that regenerate the land through management or organic pastures and grass-fed cows. 

Maple Hill explained that when managed in harmony with nature, grazing cows are one of the most effective tools available with the potential to reinvigorate the soil, which is the cornerstone of soil fertility, economic success for farmers, and human nutrition. 

The importance of this is not only being recognized by growers, consumers, food companies, and investors, but also by governments. 

In support of its business model, Maple Hill Creamery has announced the finalization of $20 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be used to grow markets for sustainable, regenerative, grass-fed organic dairy farming. 

Initially allocated in September 2022 as part of the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, this funding is under the umbrella of a $2.8 billion initiative that backs pilot projects that will help build and expand opportunities for consumers to purchase foods grown in a climate-friendly manner. 

“Over the past year, leaders from Maple Hill have worked to develop a program called ‘Pay for Progress’ to educate farmers, measure and improve our industry-leading regenerative practices, and expand regenerative dairy farming,” said Mitch Clark, senior vice president of supply chain for Maple Hill Creamery.

“This partnership with the USDA will help fund a significant portion of that program. With this support from the USDA, Maple Hill will expand its leadership in regenerative agriculture and be able to provide best practices to more farmers.”

Aligning with its role as a leader in the regenerative ag space, this funding will allow Maple Hill to implement the following programs:

~ The expansion of climate-smart markets: Maple Hill will further educate small family dairy farmers on improving pastures by using climate-smart practices that improve soil health through its Pay for Progress platform. This positions Maple Hill to incentivize implementation and to offer training for farmers looking to enhance their regenerative and progressive practices.

Under this scheme, Maple Hill will host about 30 regional educational events per year offering resources and experts providing one-on-one guidance. It also will provide pasture scoring to generate trackable data on pasture health, diversity of plant cover, ground cover, and more. 

~ Consumer education: Maple Hill will work to educate consumers and help raise the awareness and understanding of what regenerative practices are and why grass-fed, organic dairy is better for consumers, the environment, the cows, and  farmers. 

The two goals of the platform work hand-in-hand to create perpetual impact. As consumer knowledge of regenerative farming practices grows, it has the potential to drive demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly food production methods. As a result, farmers will then be incentivized to adopt regenerative practices, leading to a more sustainable and resilient food system.

“Once consumers learn about the benefits of regenerative farming and 100 percent, grass-fed organic dairy,” said Jim Hau, president, Maple Hill Creamery, “…they’ll recognize the correlation between these practices and their desires for a healthier environment, healthier animals and healthier dairy products.”

~ Lynda Kiernan-Stone is editor in chief with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, as well as HighQuest Group’s Unconventional Ag. She can be reached at lkiernan-stone@globalaginvesting.com.

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