DBA Green Tier Advancement Project

Resources & Regulations

Background

dba_green_tier_project_logo.jpgThe Dairy Business Association entered into an agreement, also called “Charter,” with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on November 29, 2007 to assist Wisconsin dairy producers in developing an Environmental Management System (EMS) for their operation which is required to participate in the Green Tier Project. The purpose of the Charter is to advance education, training and development of EMS 's on dairy operations and to strive for superior environmental performance.

An EMS refers to the management of an operation's environmental programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner. An EMS is flexible and establishes a management framework by which an operation's impacts on the environment can be identified and reduced. In other words, it can help DBA members and any dairy producer improve their environmental stewardship, allow for continual improvement of their environmental commitment, and assist them in being compliant with state and federal regulations. An EMS is a process for dairy producers to better manage their business regarding environmental concerns.

Latest News

DNR's Agribusiness Website Click to Read More...

Code 554 regarding Drainage Water Management Click to Read More ...

Code 313 regarding Waste Storage Click to Read More ...

UWEX Runoff Lessons - A review of the most comprehensive data summary UWEX currently has from 2003-2008 on 25 edge-of-field monitoring sites around the state. This factsheet includes data from USGS Scientific Investigations Report.
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UWEX Frozen Ground Runoff Potential - Also from the USGS report, this information specifically discusses frozen ground runoff volume as well as nutrient and sediment losses.
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UWEX Fall Application Considerations - Summary of management considerations for manure application during the fall application season.
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UWEX Discovery Farm Weekly Blog – updated weekly with useful comments for current and upcoming seasonal management suggestions. UWEX Discovery Farm also posts new materials available from their website. You can find the blog at http://fyi.uwex.edu/discoveryfarms/

A letter from DNR Bureau Director, Mark McDermid, to Producer Innovators
Your participation in the development and implementation of performance-based approaches to environmental management on the farm is a testament to the strength of the land ethic in Wisconsin. You have done the hard work, building and implementing an Environmental Management System. Now, we work together to build additional value for your operation through branding, recognition and flexibility.
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Producer Evaluation of Compliance
As part of your Environmental Management System, it is important to establish a process for monitoring applicable regulations or program requirements related to the EMS. This should be done on an annual basis at a minimum. Due to the ever changing nature of regulations and program standards, it is important to review applicable regulations and program requirements to ensure you are meeting the obligations.
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Interested Persons Group Final Report
- November 2009-
Click here to view the Final Report

Enrollment and Requirements

In 2009, DBA began working with dairy producers to assist them developing their EMS . The following outlines the steps a dairy producer must take to become enrolled in the Green Tier Advancement Project:

  1. Complete EMS training - Contact DBA for details.
  2. Develop an EMS for your operation (You will work with a technical service provider to develop your EMS) click here for a list of Technical Service Providers and Consultants who can assist you
  3. Make significant progress in implementation of your EMS (This will take place over a period of time)
  4. Review the Charter Terms and select if you want to be a Tier 1 or Tier 2 participant (Click here to view the Model Terms for Green Tier Participation)
  5. Complete the Green Tier Application Form (Click here for an Application Form)
  6. Submit all materials to Dairy Business Association, P.O. Box 13505, Green Bay, WI 54307-3505. Phone: 920-771-0008. (Click here for Checklist of Materials to submit)

EMS Development Process

When developing an EMS , consideration is given to a producer's best management practices and processes already in place. The development process will identify the gaps regarding environmental concerns and establish a feasible timeline for implementation.

The key steps in developing an EMS are:

  1. Establish a commitment from Top Management for support of your EMS.
  2. Determine the scope of your EMS. Permitted operations will want their EMS to include everything the permit includes.
  3. Review current activities and look at their impact.
  4. Set measurable objectives.
  5. Document what you are controlling now and what you will need to control in the future.
  6. Establish a document and “record” control process.
  7. Implement your EMS.

EMS Implementation Process

Implementing an EMS is critical in continuing to identify areas of improvement, achieving goals, fixing problems and documenting results. Implementation is putting into place the processes, action steps and lessons learned from the EMS . It is recommended a producer follow the following steps in implementing an EMS:

  1. Conduct employee training. Employees must understand the importance of the EMS , as well as their role and responsibility as it relates to the EMS.
  2. Implement the Action Plan. Implementing the Action Plan (tasks outlined in the EMS ) is the first step in reaching your environmental goals.
  3. Check & Monitor. Monitor, measure, find and fix areas identified as critical areas.
  4. Document. Keep records and document the results of how you fixed an area.
  5. Conduct Internal Audit. The internal audit identifies any flaws or weaknesses in the EMS.
  6. Review. EMS Team and Management's opportunity to fine-tune the system and make any corrections if needed. The review allows Management to determine whether or not the EMS is functioning properly, where additional resources need to be allocated, and if the environmental policy is appropriate.

Benefits of an EMS

There are many benefits to a dairy operation developing an EMS and participating in the Green Tier Project. The top ten benefits of developing an EMS are:

  1. Improve environmental performance
  2. Increase operational efficiency
  3. Reduce costs
  4. Enhance operational image – the public, lenders, neighbors, community leaders, government officials all understand the importance of being environmentally conscious and pro-active
  5. Establish benchmarks for environmental improvement on your operation
  6. Is the base for participation in Wisconsin incentive programs
  7. Can provide environmental results above compliance programs
  8. Provide a platform for regulatory flexibility for the industry
  9. Reduce/mitigate risk
  10. Achieve/improve employee awareness of environmental issues and responsibilities