Purpose
Most farms are on a continuous journey of environmental stewardship. This journey includes voluntary and regulatory pathways (e.g., programs, regulations) and checkpoints (e.g., certifications, production goals). Industry initiatives like the Net Zero Initiative (US Dairy) and Pork Cares (National Pork Board) provide goals that serve as destination descriptions, motivating collective action amongst their farms. However, industry initiatives do not dictate which mitigation actions can serve as the route. Every farm has a unique starting point in the present, and there are many pathways for the future that can be illuminated, shaped and supported by advisors.
This workshop was designed to provide the advisor community insights on opportunities to support the industries’ sustainability commitments through data, methods, and tools related to mitigation adoption. The desired outcome was to accelerate adoption by strengthening a community of support for sustainability initiative practices.
What Did We Do?
This workshop used multiple formats to engage participants in discussion and ideation, recognizing there is a need not only for purposeful planning, but also for quick action. There were brief introductions to a suite of tools and resources that support on-farm decision-making, and opportunities for crowd-sourcing additional material. Collective discussions charted networks and roles for advisors to support farmers in the implementation process for select scenarios. Activities considered both one-on-one advisor-advisee relationships, as well as the role of advisors within a broader network of actors involved in sustainability initiatives. The workshop culminated in identifying basic, finite steps for the promotion of action.
What Have We Learned?
The workshop content supports advisors for all types of livestock farms, but draws heavily from experiences in the swine and dairy industries. In extension work, we observed that advisors can serve as connectors, motivators, and informers. We noticed that exploring options for mitigation pathways can require a variety of advisor services.
Summary of Workshop Findings
Following the workshop, an accessible guide of resources to support participants and LPELC community members was compiled, available here:
2025 W2W Moving the Needle Summary Document
Authors
Presenting authors
MaryGrace Erickson, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Minnesota
Mahmoud Sharara, Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University
Erin Cortus, Extension Engineer, University of Minnesota
Corresponding author
Erin Cortus, Extension Engineer, University of Minnesota, ecortus@umn.edu
Additional Information
FARM Environmental Stewardship – https://nationaldairyfarm.com/dairy-farm-standards/environmental-stewardship/
Pork Cares Sustainability Report – https://www.porkcares.org/
Acknowledgements
This workshop is supported by Multistate Project S1074 – Fostering Technologies, Metrics, and Behaviors for Sustainable Advances in Animal Agriculture. This workshop benefitted from supporting materials provided by National Pork Board and the National Milk Producers Federation Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Program.
The authors are solely responsible for the content of these proceedings. The technical information does not necessarily reflect the official position of the sponsoring agencies or institutions represented by planning committee members, and inclusion and distribution herein does not constitute an endorsement of views expressed by the same. Printed materials included herein are not refereed publications. Citations should appear as follows. EXAMPLE: Authors. 2025. Title of presentation. Waste to Worth. Boise, ID. April 7-11, 2025. URL of this page. Accessed on: today’s date.