Dairy Cares
Dairy Cares is a California non-profit coalition founded in 2010 that coordinates methane reduction, water conservation, and sustainability programs for the state's 1,300+ family-owned dairy farms under California's SB 1383 framework, convening regulators, technology vendors, and CPG partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersSacramento, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Dairy Cares does
Dairy Cares is a California-based non-profit coalition founded in 2010 with a mission to ensure the long-term sustainability of California's dairy farming families through environmental stewardship, responsible animal care, and community advocacy. The organization coordinates and advocates for methane reduction and water conservation programs across California's 1,300+ (99% family-owned) dairy farms, including the CDFA-administered Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), and the CDFA/USDA co-funded Dairy Plus program. Since 2015 these programs have channeled $356 million in state grants and leveraged more than $522 million in private matching investment, achieving an annual reduction of approximately 5 million metric tons CO2e — more than two-thirds of California's SB 1383 statutory 40% methane reduction target for 2030.
The coalition's technology footprint spans covered-lagoon dairy digesters (168 operating, ~75 in development) that capture methane for renewable natural gas, hydrogen, transportation fuel, or fuel-cell electricity; alternative manure management systems including BioFiltro BIDA vermifiltration (4 operating, 3 in construction), manure separators, compost pack barns, and scrape/vacuum systems; methane-powered and electric tractors (New Holland, Monarch); electric feed pushers and automated feed centers; subsurface drip irrigation for manure effluent; and on-farm solar arrays (175+). CalBio (50+ digester projects), BioFiltro, Bloom Energy, Monarch, New Holland, and Grov Technologies are core technology partners, while Nestlé, Danone, and Leprino Foods represent CPG-side offtake partnerships for carbon credits and supply-chain decarbonization.
Dairy Cares generates no commercial revenue; its economic model is grant and program administration, in-kind coalition coordination, and convening. The flagship commercial-adjacent asset is the annual California Dairy Sustainability Summit ($50 farmer registration), which drew 500+ attendees including 115+ California dairy farmers in 2026. The organization is led by Executive Director Michael Boccadoro and governed jointly with four co-host partners — California Dairy Research Foundation, California Milk Advisory Board, California Dairy Quality Assurance Program, and Dairy Council of California — under California's SB 1383 regulatory framework administered by CDFA and CARB.
Dairy Cares firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dairy Cares
- Legal name
- Dairy Cares
- Website
- https://dairycares.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Dairy Cares is a California non-profit coalition founded in 2010 that coordinates methane reduction, water conservation, and sustainability programs for the state's 1,300+ family-owned dairy farms under California's SB 1383 framework, convening regulators, technology vendors, and CPG partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dairy Cares industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Sustainability Advocacy
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Animal Production (115210), Dairy Cattle and Milk Production (112120)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dairy Farm Environmental Compliance & Sustainability Programs (AFAEACAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Dairy Farm Data, Monitoring & Precision Dairy Operations (AFAEACAO)
Keywords
Where Dairy Cares is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sacramento
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Dairy Cares business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | California Dairy Sustainability Summit 2026 registration for dairy farmers |
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Dairy Cares product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dairy Cares is a non-profit coalition that coordinates sustainability initiatives on behalf of California's dairy farming families, focusing on methane reduction, water conservation, nutrient management, and broader environmental stewardship. The organization convenes farmers, researchers, regulators, and technology providers, and operates the annual California Dairy Sustainability Summit as its principal engagement vehicle.
Product overview
Dairy Cares is a non-profit coalition focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of California dairy farming families through environmental stewardship, responsible animal care, and community advocacy. The organization does not offer technology products or software; instead, it supports and promotes sustainable dairy farming programs including methane reduction initiatives (Dairy Digester Research and Development Program, Alternative Manure Management Program, Dairy Plus Program), water conservation efforts, and the annual California Dairy Sustainability Summit. These are advocacy programs and initiatives rather than commercial products or services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- California Dairy Sustainability Summit Annual industry event that convenes California dairy farmers, researchers, state regulators, and clean-technology vendors to share progress and coordinate action on dairy sustainability topics including methane reduction, water quality, and renewable energy.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5 million metric tons CO2e annual methane reduction achieved, two-thirds of the way to 40% target
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Dairy Cares
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Dairy Cares technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Dairy Cares partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- California Dairy Research FoundationcoreIndependent non-profit leading and delivering research and science-based programs to support an innovative and sustainable California dairy industry. Co-host of the California Dairy Sustainability Summit and partner in developing the Dairy Plus program and methane reduction protocols.
- California Milk Advisory BoardcoreWorks to increase demand for dairy products made with sustainably sourced milk from California dairy farm families. Co-host of the California Dairy Sustainability Summit; focuses on Real California Milk sustainability messaging.
- California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP)coreAward-winning partnership between the dairy industry, academia, and others providing science-based education and third-party certifications promoting consumer health, environmental protection, and animal welfare. Co-host of the California Dairy Sustainability Summit.
- Dairy Council of CaliforniacoreNutrition organization elevating the health of children and communities through healthy eating patterns. Focuses on dairy ag literacy and collaboration. Co-host of the California Dairy Sustainability Summit.
- California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)coreAdministers the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) and Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) which together have provided $356 million in grants since 2015 to support on-farm methane reduction projects.
- California Air Resources Board (CARB)coreSets California's methane reduction targets (SB 1383) and oversees verification of emission reductions. Collaborated with Dairy Cares on developing protocols and calculators for CARB approval for voluntary methane reduction claims.
- BioFiltrocoreProvider of the BioFiltro vermifiltration (BIDA) system using red wiggler worms to prevent methane emissions from dairy manure by up to 90% and reduce nitrogen in filtered water by 40-80%. Gold sponsor of the 2026 California Dairy Sustainability Summit. Systems operating on California dairies since 2024.
- California Bioenergy (CalBio)coreLeading developer of dairy digesters in California with 50+ active projects. Developed the first-of-its-kind digester system at Bar 20 Dairy using Bloom Energy fuel cells. Reports 333 tons of particulate matter emissions avoided annually through its projects.
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServiceminorFederal agency providing technical and financial support to California dairy farmers working with engineers to verify water-use efficiency practices and implement conservation projects.
- San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control DistrictminorAdministers the Agricultural Tractor Replacement Program and Electrified Dairy Feed Mixing Program, providing incentive funding for cleaner equipment on California dairy farms. Programs have removed 380,000 MT CO2e and 27,500 tons of air particulate matter since 2017.
- NestléminorGlobal food and beverage company investing in BioFiltro vermifiltration systems on California dairies. Supporting the Agueda Family Dairy BioFiltro implementation through the Dairy Plus program. One of several CPG companies purchasing carbon credits from methane reductions.
- DanoneminorGlobal dairy and nutrition company extending partnership with Leprino Foods via multi-year agreement to reduce on-farm emissions approximately 50% by 2030 versus 2020 levels, with first project involving BioFiltro system installation on a California dairy.
- Leprino FoodsminorGlobal dairy ingredients company extending partnership with Danone including a multi-year sustainability agreement focused on reducing on-farm emissions 50% by 2030 via manure management practices including BioFiltro systems.
- ERA EconomicsminorPerformed 2024 analysis confirming no evidence that digesters cause consolidation in California dairy sector, validating the incentive-based approach to methane reduction.
- JCS Marketing, Inc.minorMarketing firm organizing the 2026 California Dairy Sustainability Summit in partnership with Dairy Cares and leading dairy organizations.
- Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin ValleyminorMulti-stakeholder agricultural community initiative working alongside community leaders, water agencies, and local governments to advance water solutions for the San Joaquin Valley, in which Dairy Cares participates.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Dairy Cares competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Athian: Created the world's first carbon credit marketplace for the livestock sector, enabling dairy and beef value chains to monetize sustainability outcomes. Direct technology/financial partner of Dairy Cares and a complementary emerging platform addressing the same farmers.
- BioFiltro: Provider of the BIDA vermifiltration system using red wiggler worms to prevent methane formation and treat dairy wastewater. Direct technology partner deploying novel methane avoidance systems on California dairies coordinated through Dairy Cares' advocacy.
- California Bioenergy (CalBio): Leading developer of dairy digesters in California with 50+ active projects, including the first Bloom Energy fuel cell digester deployment at Bar 20 Dairy. Core implementation partner that directly deploys the infrastructure Dairy Cares advocates and coordinates around.
Broad incumbents
- California Farm Bureau Federation: California's broadest agricultural advocacy organization representing 26,000+ members across commodities. Overlaps with Dairy Cares on California-specific ag policy and sustainability advocacy but serves all crops and livestock rather than specializing in dairy methane reduction.
- National Milk Producers Federation: National trade association representing U.S. dairy farmers on policy, regulation, and economics. Broader incumbent operating across the dairy value chain with overlapping sustainability advocacy but a wider portfolio than Dairy Cares' methane-focused scope.
- Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN: Sustainability platform of Land O'Lakes cooperative helping member farmers implement stewardship practices and access sustainability markets. Comparable as a dairy-focused sustainability coordination platform, but embedded within a major dairy processor rather than an independent coalition.
Direct peers
- California Dairy Research Foundation: Independent non-profit leading science-based programs for a sustainable California dairy industry. Sister organization co-hosting the California Dairy Sustainability Summit with Dairy Cares and co-developing the Dairy Plus program — closest peer in mission and governance structure.
- Dairy Management Inc. Manages the national dairy checkoff program and drives sustainability, exports, and trust initiatives for U.S. dairy. Comparable as a peer non-profit coalition driving dairy industry-wide sustainability and demand-building programs at scale.
- Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy: National-level dairy sustainability coalition coordinating U.S. dairy's environmental, animal welfare, and community impact initiatives. Directly comparable as a peer coalition aggregating dairy industry sustainability commitments, though operating nationally rather than at the state level.
Regional players
- Wisconsin Dairy Alliance: Wisconsin dairy industry sustainability and advocacy organization. Regional peer operating in the largest U.S. dairy state outside California, with overlapping farmer advocacy and sustainability messaging but without California's SB 1383-style statutory mandate.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dairy Cares social profiles
Digital presenceDairy Cares financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dairy Cares leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Dairy Cares funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dairy Cares M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dairy Cares
What does Dairy Cares do?
Dairy Cares is a non-profit coalition that coordinates sustainability initiatives on behalf of California's dairy farming families, focusing on methane reduction, water conservation, nutrient management, and broader environmental stewardship. The organization convenes farmers, researchers, regulators, and technology providers, and operates the annual California Dairy Sustainability Summit as its principal engagement vehicle.
Is Dairy Cares a public or private company?
Dairy Cares is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Dairy Cares founded?
Dairy Cares was founded in 2010.
Where is Dairy Cares based?
Dairy Cares is headquartered in Sacramento, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Dairy Cares's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Athian, BioFiltro and California Bioenergy (CalBio). Broad incumbents are California Farm Bureau Federation, National Milk Producers Federation and Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN. Direct peers are California Dairy Research Foundation, Dairy Management Inc. and Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Wisconsin Dairy Alliance is listed as a regional player.
Does Dairy Cares have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dairy Cares.
What industry is Dairy Cares in?
Dairy Cares's product category is Agricultural Sustainability Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEACAM, Dairy Farm Environmental Compliance & Sustainability Programs, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAI, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems. Its NAICS code is 115210 and its SIC code is 8600.