Progressive Dairy Editor Jenn Coyne connected with Geoff Dietz, senior director of federal government affairs with the Renewable Natural Gas Coalition, to learn more about how this alternative energy sector has evolved to its current state in the U.S. dairy industry.

Farmers have long been committed to sustainability, though they haven’t always called it that. The promising part is that the end results and ultimate goal have always been the same, while the path to achieve the goal has just looked a little different.

Taking care of the cows, land and people. That statement and its variations are ones heard often across the dairy industry as producers work to establish sustainability practices that meet the needs of their farms and the ever-growing demand from consumers.

For nearly 18 months, Alberto Dairy has used worm beds to appropriately manage their manure, retain nutrients and reuse wastewater.

Farmers who came to the 2025 Dairy Sustainability Alliance Fall Meeting did not travel to hear theories. They wanted workable tools, proof points and honest dialogue about how sustainable practices can work for them and deliver a return on investment (ROI).

By adapting to new market trends and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)-driven efficiencies, dairy operations can increase profitability while reducing costs.