As global leaders in sustainable farming, Canadian dairy farmers are naturally committed to protecting, preserving and improving their land over time, and many farmers are readily implementing strategies that promote biodiversity, reduce waste and conserve wetlands.

To amplify the dairy sector’s sustainability efforts, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has collaborated with leading organizations such as Tree Canada, Cleanfarms and Ducks Unlimited Canada to present real stories of impactful initiatives currently underway on select Canadian farms.

Here are a few examples of the inspiring and innovative ways Canadian dairy farmers are working to support and advance sustainability.

Promoting biodiversity by planting trees

Holger, a dairy farmer from British Columbia, is continuing his family’s tradition of planting trees on their farm to promote biodiversity. “The farm isn’t separate from our environment,” Holger says. “We – us, the farm, the family – are all part of a larger system.”

In the 1960s, Holger’s family began planting maple trees along their driveway. Now, the family has planted acres of trees on their land, supporting biodiversity and creating new habitats in the area. With help from national tree-planting charity Tree Canada, their planting projects will go on, and so will the positive environmental impact they have seen.

Reducing plastics through local recycling

A year ago, Christian began working with Cleanfarms, a non-profit environmental stewardship organization, to reduce plastic waste on his dairy farm in Quebec. “We are taking real steps to be sustainable,” Christian says. “That’s how we’ll keep the land clean so the next generation will be able to live and farm here like we do.”

The farm’s plastic waste, which had accumulated from feed storage and other farming practices, has since been reduced in volume by more than half and its recycling done as close to home as possible.

Managing soil and water by restoring wetlands

Mary Ann, a dairy farmer from Ontario, knows farming is a long game. “Even small changes now will make huge differences tomorrow,” she says. Keeping the environment in mind has been a priority for Mary Ann’s family for generations. With Ducks Unlimited Canada, a non-profit organization that works to preserve habitat for North American waterfowl, wildlife and people, the family has been able to restore wetlands on their farm, helping to prevent topsoil erosion and better manage water.

Thanks to these conservation efforts, Mary Ann is planting even more plants, shrubs and trees to increase biodiversity and restore natural habitats.

DFC applauds forward-thinking projects like those on Holger, Christian and Mary Ann’s farms. These initiatives further solidify dairy farmers’ long-standing commitment to creating a more sustainable future for our sector – and our planet.

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is the national policy, lobbying and promotional organization representing Canadian dairy producers. DFC strives to create stable conditions for the dairy sector in our country. It also seeks to maintain policies that promote the sustainability of Canadian dairy production and promote dairy products and their health benefits. Visit Dairy Farmers of Canada for more information.