Colton Brodt is among the future faces of organic dairy farming. He’s not only an advocate for organic, but for dairy farming in general. Here’s the final part of our interview with Colton.

What makes organic farming more appealing to you than conventional farming?
The organic way of dairying is special to me because it’s how it was done decades ago. Organic milk is produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics and growth hormones such as rBST. Since the use of antibiotics is not allowed in organic, we have to pay extra attention to each animal to ensure they’re healthy. By using natural fertilizer instead of synthetics, we can take better care of our soil and reduce groundwater pollution, creating a healthier and more sustainable environment. Organic standards also help assure consumers about the quality of the food they’re buying.

What would you tell those who haven’t tried organic milk?
I think organic milk tastes better. I always encourage people to try it and taste the difference for themselves. My family alone is capable of consuming eight gallons of milk on a weekly basis.

What do you think of milk alternative products that are now available in retail stores?
When you go to the supermarket, you can find soymilk, rice milk, almond milk and all kinds of different beverages with the word “milk.” It’s confusing for consumers, especially those who don’t know where their milk comes from in the first place. That’s why I think we need to be cautious when calling beverages that don’t come from animals “milk.” I don’t mean to disrespect any advocates or consumers who enjoy these products. In fact, many of the ingredients used to make these products, like soybeans, are important to the agriculture industry. But I’m a huge advocate for the dairy industry, so I think there needs to be a clear difference between these beverages and milk.

What’s the benefit of drinking milk over other beverages?
I understand some people are lactose intolerant and can’t drink milk and its byproducts. If that’s the case, then soy beverages are most likely the next best option. The biggest and most important reason why I am a strong advocate of milk is its high calcium content. I’ve learned that milk contains 50 percent of your vitamin B12 daily requirements while this vitamin is only fortified in soy beverages. So I think it’s safe to say that everyone should drink milk every day for healthy bones and bodies.

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