the need for electric lighting. Many
features were built using recycled or
sustainably harvested materials and
they have a compost system, an organic
cafe and even organic gardens for the
employees to grow their own produce.
Many office supplies, from binders to
pens (with veggie ink), are made from
recycled material and serving utensils
and dishes are all biodegradable. They
have carpooling reward programs and
are even looking at creating a shuttle
system for their employees.
The key green addition at
the HQ that brings this—
and all Organic Valley’s
other impressive environmental and social efforts—
together is their Department
of Sustainability led by Cecil
Wright, VP of Sustainability.
Organic Valley’s eco-efficient headquarters and employee In order to implement sus-
organic gardens in La Farge. Their distribution center in
Cashton will provide biofuel and alternative energy for tainability into all aspects of
the company and the whole community. the business he formed a
ronmental sustainability and social responsibility is stronger than ever. Some of
their most current initiatives include spearheading renewable energy projects
with their farmer-owners, helping establish a non-profit group to ensure fair
treatment of U.S. farmers and farm workers, creating new sources of biofuels
and alternative energy to power their company and the surrounding community, as well as leading efforts to further sustainable agriculture and develop the
next generation of organic family farmers.
“Our co-op was founded with the mission to save family farming through
organic agriculture and a commitment to social and environmental responsibility,” said George Siemon, CEO for Organic Valley. “Today, we still base each
leadership decision we make on what impact it will have on our farmers, the
community and the environment.”
Green From the Ground Up
At the HQ. At Organic Valley’s headquarters in La Farge, Wisconsin, sustainability permeates every part of the company culture. Their building was built to
LEED silver specificatons with eco-friendly features like a water collection and
reuse system, recycled denim insulation
instead of toxic fiberglass and windows
positioned to take full advantage of the
daylight which dramatically cuts down on
