Land O'Lakes and Mars Wrigley announce pitch event for on-farm solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Pete Kappelman, senior vice president of member and government relations for Land O’Lakes, Inc., said, “Across the dairy sector, entrepreneurs are developing new tools every day to help dairy farmers in all aspects of stewardship, including achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
“Dairy farmers are innovative and forward-thinking, and Land O’Lakes is well-positioned to deploy on-farm solutions that can help our dairy-farmer members focus on business results, while also safeguarding natural resources. This pitch event is one more way to amplify emerging tools in our industry.”
Ashley Walton, global category director for dairy at Mars Wrigley, said, “Mars understands we have a responsibility and an opportunity to improve our impact on people and the planet, and hosting this event alongside Land O’Lakes is an exciting way to help amplify innovative new solutions that could positively impact our dairy supply chain.
“Mars has prioritized sustainability throughout our supply chain network, including through our Sustainable in a Generation Plan. We believe the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. To reach our ambitious science-based climate goals, we are working collaboratively to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms.”
Compensation for products or services
Those interested in participating will find more information about this event and may submit proposals online by June 24, 2019.
In August, selected participants will be invited to present to an audience of Land O’Lakes members and industry experts.
Participants invited to the pitch event will receive input, coaching and advice from dairy and ag tech leaders to help bring their products and services to scale on the farm. With support from Mars Wrigley, up to $200,000 in funding will support the implementation of one of the selected solutions on a Land O’Lakes member dairy farm, elevating efforts to apply the promising new product or service at greater scale.
The participant that submits the solution will not receive any funds directly, but will have the opportunity to work with the Land O’Lakes member farm in the implementation process, and the participant will be compensated for any provided products or services.
The pitch event builds on other efforts Land O’Lakes has led to help dairy farmers reduce emissions, including a collaboration with California BioEnergy, LLC to help California dairy-farmer members of the cooperative construct and manage on-farm digesters to produce Renewable Compressed Natural Gas.
