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This article appeared in issue 15 of dairy innovation magazine as part of a focus on organic milk and dairy. If you would like to read the rest of the articles please go to our <1> where back issues are available for purchase.

In the July issue of dairy innovation, our cover story featured Stonyfield Farm President and CEO Gary Hirshberg. In the interview he talked about making money while saving the world. Now he has published a book on the subject

A true force for change, Gary Hirshberg has been at the forefront of movements working for environmental and social transformation for 30 years. From his early days as an educator and activist to his current position as President and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, the world’s largest organic yogurt company, Hirshberg’s positive outlook has inspired thousands of people to recognise their ability to make the world a better place. * Grassroot techniques * In Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World, Hirshberg calls on individuals to realise their power to effect change in the marketplace - “the power of one” - while proving that environmental commitment makes for a healthier planet and a healthier bottom line. Drawing from his 25 years’ experience growing Stonyfield Farm from a seven cow start up, as well as the examples of like minded companies, such as Newman’s Own, Patagonia, Wal-Mart and Timberland, Hirshberg presents stunning evidence that business not only can save the planet, but is able to simultaneously deliver higher growth and superior profits as well.

Hirshberg illustrates his points with practical information and advice, as well as engaging anecdotes from what he calls “the bad old days” of his yogurt company: how a power outage left him milking cows by hand, how a dumpster fire revealed the need for better packaging, and his camel manure taste test challenge to a local shock jock. He also describes hands on grassroots marketing strategies - printing yogurt lids with provocative, politically charged messages; handing out thousands of free samples to subway commuters to thank them for using public transport; and devising the country’s first organic vending machine - explaining how these approaches make a much more powerful impact on consumers than traditional advertising.

<2>, published by Hyperion, demonstrates how companies can work to save the planet, while achieving greater profits, satisfaction and how we can all use the power of conscious consumption to encourage green corporate behavior.

“Gary Hirshberg has done a masterful job telling the stories of cutting-edge companies that have found a way to increase profits and environmental sustainability at the same time.” - Ben Cohen, Co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and Chairman of Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities.

<1>: http://dairy.foodbev.com/issues/issueDetail.aspx?contentId=17 <2>: http://www.hyperionbooks.com/titlepage.asp?ISBN=1401303447