SEBASTOPOL, Calif. – Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery is proud to announce that it has achieved recognition as a Sonoma County Green Business environmental leader. The Sonoma Green Business Program, part of the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, is a partnership of government agencies and utilities that assists, recognizes and promotes local organizations, focusing on small to medium-sized consumer-oriented businesses that voluntarily operate in environmentally responsible ways. Certified participants must be in compliance with all environmental regulations and meet program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste while demonstrating goodwill in the community.
“It became evident very early on in the certification process that Redwood Hill Farm takes sustainability and the welfare of our environment very seriously,” said Green Business Coordinator Kevin Kumataka. “They are a shining example that green business is smart business here in Sonoma and throughout the state.”
This is not the first time the company has been recognized as a responsible business owner. In 2009, it received a Best Practices Award for its use of environmentally sound business practices from the Business Environmental Alliance of Sonoma County. Redwood Hill Farm also holds the distinction of being the first goat dairy in the United States to be Certified Humane®, which is considered the ‘gold standard’ in third-party certification for humane animal treatment.
“We are proud to display our Green Business Sonoma County Certification,” said Owner Jennifer Bice. “Sustainability has been a core part of our family business since my parents first founded Redwood Hill Farm here 45 years ago. We continually look for ways to implement green practices from farm to finished product for the benefit of the animals, the land and people.”
In addition to using solar power to provide energy for both the family farm and creamery where its award-winning products are made, Redwood Hill Farm employs the following green practices:
- Rewards employees for new re-use and recycle ideas that keep everyone on the alert for new ways to protect our environment, such as changing and reducing the amount of plastic in each yogurt cup and lid by about half, switching to foil lids rather than plastic and upgrading to more energy efficient, motion sensor lighting at the creamery
- Recycles extensively at both the farm and creamery, using only recycled paper and biodegradable serving cups and utensils at sampling events
- Reclaims water to clean areas where it is acceptable
- Composts manure and straw/hay stems from smaller barns that is used for the farm’s organic vegetable gardens, olive grove and apple orchard; uses manure and straw/hay stems as mulch around fruit trees and in the ground to provide nutrients for the trees
- Provides solar-powered electric vehicle recharging stations at the creamery and uses two hybrid company vehicles
- Uses only organic fruits in both its Redwood Hill Farm goat milk yogurts as well as in sister brand Green Valley Organics Lactose Free yogurts and kefirs, which the company introduced in 2010
About Redwood Hill Farm – Sustainably Farmed & Family Owned Since 1968
Located among the picturesque redwoods of western Sonoma County, Calif., 60 miles north of San Francisco, Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery, Inc. is a different kind of dairy. A small, family farm, it has been producing delicious, award-winning goat milk dairy products since 1968. Excellence and sustainability are top priorities and Redwood Hill takes pride in producing the best tasting, least processed goat milk yogurt, kefir, and artisan cheeses. Its products are free of sugar, coloring, preservatives, stabilizers or powdered milk. Dedicated to protecting the environment and green open spaces, Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery, Inc. is a proud supporter of the Climate Protection Campaign, Sonoma Land Trust and Sonoma Land Paths, as well as other community groups including Daily Acts, Ceres Project and Sonoma Humane Society. Visit RedwoodHill.com and GreenValleyLactoseFree.com to learn more about their award-winning products, earth-friendly business practices and pledge to you.
About The Sonoma Green Business Program
The Sonoma Green Business Program is a member of the California Green Business Network. Established in 1996, there are currently 136 businesses certified in Sonoma County and over 2,700 businesses certified statewide. If you are interested in becoming a Sonoma Green Business or to see if there is a Green Business Program in your area, visit www.GreenBusinessCA.org
Source: Redwood Hill Farm
