U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards Announce Judging Panel
January 1, 2018
The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy has announced the expert judging panel for the third annual U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards. The panel of judges includes professionals from academic institutions, government, dairy science organizations, nongovernmental organizations, media and environmental and dairy industry leaders. This knowledgeable group brings expert insights on the economic and environmental state of the dairy industry today. The U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards program recognizes dairy farms, businesses and collaborative partnerships that deliver exceptional results that are good for business, good for the environment and good for the community. Nominations are open through Nov. 15, 2013. “The dairy industry is committed to providing consumers with the nutrient-rich dairy foods and beverages they want in an increasingly efficient and sustainable way,” says Barbara O’Brien, president of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “The awards program gives us an opportunity to showcase outstanding efforts that build on our heritage of stewardship and continuous improvement.” Judges for the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards are:
Ann Bartuska, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Sarah Bittleman, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Jim Carper, chief editor, Dairy Foods
Susan Forsell, vice president, sustainability, McDonald’s Corporation
Dr. M. Gatz Riddell, Jr., executive vice president, American Association of Bovine Practitioners
Molly Jahn, professor, Laboratory of Genetics and Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Larry Jensen, chair, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and president, Leprino Foods
Steve Larson, editorial consultant, Hoard's Dairyman
Phil Lempert, founder, SupermarketGuru.com
James Linn, professor emeritus, University of Minnesota, and consultant, Waconia Farm Supply and Milk Specialties Global
Joel Makower, chairman and executive editor, GreenBiz Group Inc.
Randy Mooney, dairy producer and chairman, National Milk Producers Federation
Paul Rovey, chairman, Dairy Management Inc.™ and owner, Rovey Dairy
Brian Sloboda, senior program manager, Cooperative Research Network, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Connie Tipton, president and chief executive officer, International Dairy Foods Association
Jeanne von Zastrow, senior director of sustainability and industry relations, Food Marketing Institute
Jason Weller, chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA
Judges will evaluate all nominations based on results as measured by economic, environmental and social impact, as well as triple-bottom-line success. They also will assess the potential for other dairy farms and businesses to adopt the practices; demonstrated learning, innovation and improvement; and scalability. “Dairy farms and businesses of all sizes are finding creative and replicable ways to advance their stewardship and sustainability,” says Larry Jensen, chair, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and president, Leprino Foods. “Their stories show that while every sustainability journey is different, each one strengthens the beneficial role that dairy can play in a sustainable diet and food system.” Supporting the Sustainability Commitment and the Sustainability Awards program are this year’s gold- and silver-level sponsors. This year’s gold-level sponsors include: the Center for Advanced Energy Studies; DeLaval; DVO Anaerobic Digesters; Elanco Animal Health; HDR; InSinkErator; Tetra Pak Inc.; U.S. EPA; World Wildlife Fund and Zoetis. Silver-level sponsors include Dolphin WaterCare; Organic Solution Management; Skip Shapiro Enterprises, LLC; and Syngenta.