Earlier this month, California Dairy Campaign (CDC) officials met with legislators at the California State Capitol to support legislation promoting the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), call for reforms to state water policies, including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), and support policies to promote dairy processing in California. The delegation met with 22 offices, including members from the Agriculture, Budget, and Natural Resources committees.
CDC joined forces with the California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN), including dairy producers and advocates, at the State Capitol to rally behind AB 2100 (Connolly), a bill aiming to unlock the full potential of California’s Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP). This initiative is key to the state’s efforts to reduce methane emissions and enhance water quality.
California’s dairy industry is currently facing serious challenges, with low milk prices and rising input costs putting pressure on all dairy producers. Navigating strict regulatory requirements for groundwater protection and manure management creates unprecedented challenges. However, adopting alternative manure management practices can be a game-changer, said the CDC leaders. These practices help dairy operations meet regulatory requirements and strengthen their resilience by reducing water use and creating valuable compost.
California Dairy Campaign Field Representative Lisandra Vitorino told policymakers that “Programs like AMMP are essential for ensuring that small and mid-sized dairies can thrive while contributing to California’s climate vision. However, to make this work for our family-run dairies, we need ongoing investment and better alignment among agencies. A sustainable dairy future means ensuring access to solutions for everyone, not just a select few.”
AB 2100 is a crucial piece of legislation that aims to expand and enhance AMMP. By supporting dairies in transitioning from liquid manure systems, significant reductions in methane emissions can be achieved. These practices offer additional environmental benefits, such as improved groundwater quality, richer compost, and healthier soils. AB 2100 simplifies processes by streamlining approvals for compost production on dairies. It also encourages collaboration among state agencies and stakeholders to better understand the climate and environmental benefits of AMMP practices. Moreover, it seeks to develop a comprehensive plan to address the financial and regulatory hurdles faced by dairy producers eager to adopt AMMP practices.
