surrounding cropland—and provides power to the local community. The Verweys have also replaced diesel-powered feed mixers with electric mixing stations, which have increased efficiency and decreased air emissions. Cow comfort and health are priorities at any dairy; here, the animals have round-the-clock access to food, water and a mattress. When it comes to employees, the Verweys treat them as team members building a career, and encourage and support career growth. “It gives us a great deal of satisfaction to know the healthy work environment we create for all and that we are providing healthy and sustainable products for people around the world,” Shelley Verwey said.
Forging sustainability, conservation and innovation
“We feel like we’re in a position of gratitude and we feel like we’d like to leave our land for the next generation better than we found it,” Philip Verwey said. Although it may seem a simple sentiment, it’s one he and his wife, Shelley, work tirelessly to accomplish. To achieve that goal, they run their 9,500-cow dairy in Hanford with three intertwined principles to guide them: take care of the land, take care of the animals and take care of the people. “We know if we invest in the infrastructure and it is sustainable financially and environmentally, then the way I see it, why not do it?” Verwey said. The farm features a 10-acre covered-lagoon manure digester, generating renewable electricity that in turn powers the dairy and irrigation wells on 2,300 acres of
Tracy Sellers tsellers@californiabountiful.com
MORE ONLINE California Bountiful TV host Tracy Sellers shares an exclusive look at how the Poncia family is trying to grow a better burger from the ground up. Watch at californiabountiful.com.
Philip Verwey Farms Kings County
Philip Verwey, left, and Frank Cardoza walk along a 10-acre covered-lagoon manure digester that generates renewable electricity.
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