Aurora Organic Dairy and CSU Announce Research Partnership

Aurora Organic Dairy and Colorado State University have announced a multi-year master research agreement with the university’s College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.

The research will focus on animal welfare, veterinary medicine, growing perennial forage crops and optimizing soil fertility for organic pasture development in the Rocky Mountain West, the company said.

Findings will be shared with the organic agriculture community to build the industry’s knowledge base and capabilities for continuing the sustainable growth of organic agriculture, particularly in northern Colorado.

According to the company, the university’s professors and professionals in agricultural sciences will lead this research initiative, funded by a three-year $500,000 grant from the Aurora Organic Dairy Foundation.

The partnership will provide students enrolled in the university’s Organic Agriculture Certificate Program with scholarships, and hands-on learning and research opportunities through on-farm internships.

Marc Johnson, dean of Colorado State University’s (CSU’s) College of Agricultural Sciences, said: “This partnership presents an exciting and unique opportunity for Colorado State University professors and students to contribute to organic agriculture research and solve real-world issues that will help further the growth of organics.”

Mark Retzloff, chairman of Aurora Organic Dairy, said: “We are dedicated to conducting and supporting science-based research that will build shared knowledge of organic agriculture.”