Albert Straus of the Straus Family Creamery
Our speaker for August 26, 2021, was Albert Straus, the Founder and CEO of the Straus Family Creamery. Albert converted his family farm to organic in 1994, becoming the first certified organic dairy farm west of the Mississippi River. Albert’s vision was to create an economically viable dairy farm by using sustainable, organic farming. The Creamery itself is the first 100% certified organic creamery in the U.S. He believes that by 2023 Straus Family Creamery will have a completely carbon neutral dairy system. Albert is proud that the 12 dairy farms that supply the creamery are all certified organic. In fact, 80% of the dairies in Sonoma and Marin Counties are organic and sustainable. Albert believes that sustainable organic farming practices are imperative to ensuring the health of farming for future generations, and that by utilizing these systems small farmers can successfully compete with large corporate dairies.
How does the Straus Family Creamery achieve carbon-free sustainability? Albert listed 4 systems that help this process: (1) methane digesters; (2) reducing Enteric Methane with Red Seaweed; (3) electric farm vehicles; and (4) pastureland carbon sequestration. Methane digesters break down manure and other wastes to create renewable energy (including electric energy for farm vehicles) and fertilizer. Methane gas is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. In the Straus dairies, waste is routed to a covered lagoon. The methane is captured and converted into electricity used on the farm and elsewhere. The dairies also reduce methane by feeding cows red seaweed, which can reduce methane emissions by up to 95%! Pastureland carbon sequestration (carbon farming) allows dairies to continuously rebuild and protect their soil through the use of composted waste materials. This process results in higher sileage, better rainwater retention, and more pasture growth.
The Creamery also uses a higher percentage of Jersey and Jersey cross cows than other dairies, resulting in a higher percentage of butter fat and higher, more efficient cream delivery. The Creamery uses reusable glass bottles for almost all of their retail milk and averages 75-80% return on their bottles.
One thing Albert did not discuss: Straus Family Creamery products are fantastic! Try any Creamery product, including milk, ice cream, cream, sour cream, yogurt, and butter, and you won’t want to go back to national or store brands. They are wonderful!
Thank you, Albert, for bringing sustainable practices to our local dairies, for showing the path forward, and for highlighting your amazing creamery!
