Organic Valley

[NPM Voice Talent] This message comes from NPR sponsor Organic Valley, a co-op of small organic family farms. Farmer Tyler Webb shares why caring for his land has always been a priority. [Tyler] I’d like to contribute to my community an array of ecosystem services beyond just milk – building topsoil, and holding on to water, and supporting wildlife, to build that resilience that will support generations to come. [NPM Voice Talent] Discover Organic Valley dairy at O-V dot c-o-o-p slash ethically sourced

[NPM Voice Talent]  This message comes from NPR sponsor Organic Valley, a co-op of small organic family farms. Like Stony Pond Farm, where Tyler Webb and his family consider the earth, the animals and the community in the stewardship of their farm. [cow moo, footsteps, birds chirping] [Tyler:] This is Elektra who’s wandered up the lane to say hi. She is very curious. [cow sniffing the microphone] She’s probably the most curious cow that we have. [more sniffing] Every one of those cows all has their own sort of unique attribute. [cow moos] They are such peaceful, docile creatures. You know and I say that that’s my job is to wake up in this beautiful place every day and wander around and try to figure out how to make it better. Better for my cows, better for the land, better for the community, the overall ecology. And it’s that stewardship which evolves from that patient observation, I think. [birds and ambiance fade] [NPM Voice Talent] Discover Organic Valley dairy at O-V dot c-o-o-p slash ethically sourced.

[NPM Voice Talent] This message comes from NPR sponsor Organic Valley, a co-op of small organic family farms. Dairy farmer Tyler Webb shares how he and his family work with nature to manage challenges on the farm. [Birds chirping] [Tyler:]When I think of land stewardship, it’s taking the opportunity to like, slowly walk through your farm. [Footsteps on gravel; chickens clucking] To listen. [Cows mooing] To try to observe subtle patterns. When you’re not reliant upon pesticides and herbicides and things to navigate your way through farming, you’re looking for ways to work in harmony with our ecosystem. From a pesticide perspective, you know, flies can be a concern. And so a lot of this bird habitat we have on the farm is because we’re looking for tree swallows. They just cruise around all day long and eat flies. They come back every year in April and they put a big dent in the fly population during that period. [NPM Voice Talent] Discover Organic Valley dairy at O-V dot c-o-o-p slash ethically sourced.