2025 AOD CSR

Animals. People. Planet.

Products with Integrity.

2025 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Delivering organic dairy

integrity, from cow

to carton, to everyone,

everywhere.

Pepper Dairy & Heifer Farms, Dublin, TX

Aurora Organic Dairy | 2025 Sustainability Report

Table of Contents

CEO LETTER

02

OVERVIEW

04

QUALITY

ORGANIC DAIRY

18

ANIMALS

26

PEOPLE

38

PLANET

58

APPENDIX

84

CEO Letter 02

Approach to Sustainability 04

Cow-to-Carton Supply Chain 08

Company History, Ethics & Culture 10

Sustainability Goals 12

Organic Integrity 20

Traceability & Quality 22

Supplier Standards, Regulations 24

& Labeling

Animal Husbandry 28

Disease Prevention 31

Validus Animal Welfare Certification 32

Animal Care Standards Summary 35

Benefits & Wellness 42

Career Development & Training 44

Workplace Safety 46

Community Support 52

Building Climate Resilience 60

Responsible Farming 62

& Manure Management

LCA & Greenhouse Gas Emissions 66

Energy, Water, Packaging & Solid Waste 70

Company Details & Reporting Practices 86

Materiality & Stakeholder Engagement 88

Sustainability Governance & Strategy 92

GRI & TCFD Indices 94

Within the PDF—Click on the sections above to jump to that page.

© 2025 Aurora Organic Dairy ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

CEO LETTER

OVERVIEW QUALITY ORGANIC DAIRY ANIMALS PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX

Dear Friends

of Aurora

Organic Dairy

Scott McGinty, Chief Executive Officer, at our Boulder, CO Headquarters

Often, letters like this one end by thanking employees for all

the company’s progress and accomplishments. However,

starting our 2025 Sustainability Report without expressing

gratitude for the people of Aurora Organic Dairy seems out of

order. Without our teams, it is simply not possible to pursue our

mission, to deliver organic dairy integrity, from cow to carton,

to everyone, everywhere. It is the employees of Aurora Organic

Dairy who maintain an industry-leading dairy supply chain,

every day, capable of serving the country’s leading grocery

retailers. Through an admirable commitment to both our

collective values and their individual contributions, our teams

inspire belief that we can meet any challenge and realize

our vision of becoming the best value-added milk supplier in

America. I sincerely and humbly thank all of the dedicated

people that call Aurora Organic Dairy home.

It is remarkable to reflect on the changing conditions we have

navigated, as a Company and as an industry, since our last

Sustainability Report was published in 2022. The last three

years have brought more cost volatility and inflation than at

any time in our Company’s history. Dairy producers of all types

have responded to the threat of the Avian flu with efforts to

strengthen biosecurity protocols and traceability. New shifts in

consumer demand have produced stronger growth for organic

milk and other value-added dairy products, while reducing

demand for plant-based beverages. Agricultural producers

of all kinds are considering the use of more regenerative

practices, both as a point of difference and as an important

response to climate change. These dynamics continue to

reinforce the importance of resilience, innovation and

responsibility in our operations.

In this sixth edition of our Sustainability Report, we highlight

the many ways we continue to honor our vision and mission to

grow organic dairy consumption by operating with a long-term

purpose, advancing sustainability and driving creativity across

every aspect of our business.

Some of our recent highlights include:

• Our Columbia, Missouri team completed the first phase of a

significant plant expansion that is expected to nearly triple

milk product volumes over the next few years.

• In Dublin, Texas, where we operate the first batch milking

robotic parlor in the U.S., our team partnered with Colorado

State University to publish research on herd behavior and

performance in this production system. 1

• Our farm teams have completed our fourth year of regenerative

land management practices at our farms in Colorado and

Texas, completing our second year of soil sampling to better

understand the related improvements to biodiversity, carbon

sequestration and organic matter.

• For more than a decade, our farms have demonstrated

a commitment to employee well-being by achieving

Validus Worker Care certification each year since our

initial certification in 2012, or their establishment.

• We have launched the new brand Grazeful Dairy, a

pasture-grazed, regenerative milk brand made exclusively

from A2/A2 herds to provide consumers a new value-added

alternative to commodity milk products.

Through it all, we have remained steadfast in our pledge

to make progress toward our Animals, People and Planet

sustainability goals. More details can be found in this report,

but highlights include:

• We integrated the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial

Disclosures into our sustainability reporting.

• In 2023, our farms implemented an organic feed additive to

reduce enteric methane emissions from our dairy cows. 2

• We continue to prioritize employee engagement and earned

Top Workplace recognition in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

• Since 2020, we have consistently achieved our goal to

offset 100% of our energy emissions 3 through support of

carbon reduction and renewable energy projects, a claim

independently verified by a third party.

• In 2024, we installed our third solar array project at

Pepper Dairy Farm in Dublin, TX. The system is expected

to generate electricity equivalent to nearly 25% of the

electricity consumed at the site’s robotic parlor.

In the pages that follow, you will find detailed updates on

these and other sustainability initiatives—including our

climate-conscious approach to agriculture, which considers

both the impact business has on climate and the impact

climate has on business. For instance, carbon emissions from

millions of acres of tilled, and uncovered farmland represent

one of agriculture’s largest opportunities for climate action.

As pasture-based livestock operations, our farms and all other

organic dairy farms, are uniquely positioned to help reverse

this trend by managing lands regeneratively and leveraging

the healthy interaction between land and animals.

OUTLOOK

As 2025 progresses, we are preparing to conclude our

sustainability goals and develop a new set of targets to guide

our work in the years ahead. While we have made measurable

progress in many areas, we also recognize that we are not

on track to achieve every goal. These moments of reflection

and recalibration are critical. We remain committed to

setting new goals that are both ambitious and attainable,

grounded in science, and centered around our three pillars

of sustainability, Animals, People and Planet.

Looking ahead, we recognize that success in business

and stewardship continues to be influenced by a complex

mix of internal priorities and external forces. Immigration

and workforce policy, for example, continue to impact

the availability of skilled labor across the dairy industry.

Also, state packaging regulations and extended producer

responsibility programs are introducing requirements to

minimize packaging waste, which place responsibility on

producers and suppliers. At the same time, rapid advances

in technology, including

artificial intelligence,

are opening avenues for

innovation. As we navigate

these shifting dynamics, we

remain focused on investing

in solutions that strengthen

our operations and uphold

our commitment to quality,

sustainability and integrity.

Once again, we are immensely proud of and grateful for

the team that makes Aurora Organic Dairy a special place

to work and a responsible contributor to our industry.

We also appreciate the many forms of support we receive

from stakeholders of all kinds, including interest in our

2025 Sustainability Report. We hope this year’s edition

is informative and demonstrates Aurora Organic Dairy’s

commitment to our values, to one another, and to building

a stronger, more sustainable future—for our Animals,

People and Planet.

Sincerely,

Scott McGinty

Chief Executive Officer

Aurora Organic Dairy

1

2

3

Munoz-Boettcher, P., et al. “Milking behavior and performance of primiparous and multiparous

Holstein, Jersey, and Holstein × Jersey crossbred cows in a batch milking system with automatic

milking units.” Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 108, no. 4, Apr. 2025, pp. 4248-4262,

https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-26078.

Wenner, B.A., et al. “Evaluation of methane mitigation by organic feed additives in dual-flow

continuous culture.” JDS Communications, vol. 6, no. 3, May 2025, pp. 318-323,

https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2024-0673.

Energy emissions offset at Company-owned locations and raw milk transport to Company-owned

processing plants.

CEO LETTER


APPENDIX


2


3

Approach to Sustainability

At Aurora Organic Dairy, we recognize that the health of our

animals, employees and communities is connected to the health

of the planet. As a leading producer of store-brand organic

dairy products, we work to integrate sustainability across our

operations in ways that acknowledge our dependence on clean

water, fresh air and healthy soil. This understanding shapes our

efforts to protect and replenish natural resources, so they remain

available for future generations.

Agriculture sits at the intersection of environmental challenges

and solutions. Because of this, we have an opportunity to help

build resilience across our operations and supply chain. We

also understand that progress does not happen in isolation and

we do not have all of the answers. That is why we partner with

organizations and academic institutions to inform our work,

share ideas and advance practical, science-based solutions.

We believe that change requires collective action.

Our approach to sustainability aligns with the United Nations

Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing global partnership.

We prioritize the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals that most

closely align with our material topics and areas of commitment,

High Plains Dairy Farms, Gill, CO


investment and progress. In 2024, we expanded our approach

by integrating the recommendations of the Task Force on

Climate-related Financial Disclosures into our sustainability

reporting—aligning this work with our materiality assessment

and latest dairy industry resources to better prepare for an

evolving regulatory landscape.

In recent years, we have focused on a holistic, nature-based

approach to agriculture. Our commitment to organic and

regenerative farming methods includes practices such as no-till

farming across the majority of our acres and intensive rotational

grazing, which enhance soil health, increase microbial activity and

support long-term viability. Some of these outcomes are tracked

through efforts like annual soil sampling to better understand our

environmental impact.

Within Aurora Organic Dairy, our goal is to foster a work culture

that inspires our people and connects them to a shared purpose.

We know that achieving lasting change and meeting our

sustainability goals requires commitment and collaboration

from everyone involved.

“Looking ahead, we remain focused on our commitments

to our Animals, People and Planet—taking practical steps

that aim to build resilience.”

— CANDICE STACEY, SENIOR SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER

4

MATERIAL TOPICS

To support transparent

disclosures, this report

highlights 20 material

topics that carry significant

economic, social or

environmental impacts.

(See page 88 for information

about our materiality

determination process.)

SUSTAINABILITY GOAL AREAS

Our sustainability goals

are designed to honor our

commitments and drive

progress.

(See pages 12–17 for more

information about our goals

and performance.)

The material topics

and sustainability

goals discussed

throughout this

report coincide with

10 of the 17 U.N. SDGs.

MISSION AND VALUES

• Ethics and Culture

• Affordable Food

• Labeling

ANIMALS

• Animal Care

• No Antibiotics or Growth

Hormones

ANIMALS

• Calf Housing

• Early Cull Rate

• Disbudding

• Lameness

• Video Monitoring

U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

ANIMALS

Although Sustainable Development

Goal 3 refers to the health and

well-being of people, we respectfully

extend this concept to our cows.

• Food Safety and Quality

• Supplier Sourcing Policies

• Compliance with Laws and Regulations

• Fair Pay and Benefits

• Employment Opportunities

and Retention

• Training and Education

• Worker Health and Safety

• Community Support

• Safety

• Employee Wellness

• Employee Retention

Adopted in 2015, the U.N. SDGs recognize the fact that the stability of our planet relies on our ability to address a range of environmental and social challenges.

The SDGs are a call for action on 17 interconnected topics relating to protecting the planet, and promoting prosperity, equality, peace and justice.


PEOPLE

PEOPLE

PEOPLE

PLANET

• Climate Change

• Responsible Farming

• Manure Management

• Water Uses and Availability

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Solid Waste

• Energy

PLANET

• Water

• Energy Efficiency

• Offsetting Energy Emissions

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Solid Waste Diversion

PLANET

5

CEO LETTER OVERVIEW

QUALITY ORGANIC DAIRY ANIMALS PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX

AOD Locations

Our cows and

heifers graze

on more than

17,000 organic

pasture acres.

Boulder

HQ

High Plains

Dairy Farms

Gill, CO

Platteville Dairy

Farm & Milk Plant

Platteville, CO

ALL ACRES

Gerk Heifer Farm &

Additional Cropland

Eastern CO

— INCLUDING LAND FOR FARM

FACILITIES, ORGANIC ACRES AND

ORGANICALLY MANAGED ACRES

Coldwater Dairy & Heifer Farms 7,700

Gerk Heifer Farm 1,900

High Plains Dairy Farms 7,100

Pepper Dairy & Heifer Farms 4,100

Platteville Dairy Farm 800

Additional Cropland 1 20,000

COLORADO

COWS IN MILK

Coldwater East Dairy & Heifer Farms 4,400

Coldwater West Dairy & Heifer Farms 3,000

High Plains Dairy Farms

High Meadow Dairy 2,600

High Plains Dairy 4,000

High Ridge Dairy 2,000

Little Calf Ranch Dairy 2,100



Coldwater Dairy

& Heifer Farms

Stratford, TX

CALVES

Pepper Dairy &

Heifer Farms

Dublin, TX



Pepper Dairy & Heifer Farms 500

TEXAS

MISSOURI

Columbia Milk Plant

Columbia, MO

DRY & MATERNITY COWS



Pepper Dairy & Heifer Farms 400


Boulder Headquarters

Columbia Milk Plant

Platteville Milk Plant

Additional Cropland

Coldwater Dairy & Heifer Farms

Gerk Heifer Farm

High Plains Dairy Farms

Pepper Dairy & Heifer Farms

Platteville Dairy Farm

HEIFERS


Gerk Heifer Farm 7,000


As of March 2025

1

Acreage contracted under dedicated supply agreements.

CEO LETTER OVERVIEW


APPENDIX


6 Aurora Organic Dairy | 2025 Sustainability Report

7

Supply Chain

CROP GROWING & TRANSPORT

75,000+ organic crop acres

supported, primarily operated

by 75+ independent farmers

Approximately 2,000 organic acres of

harvested crops managed by AOD

CROP GROWING

& TRANSPORT

FARMS, COWS & PASTURE

100% Organic

100% non-GMO

Validus Animal, Worker Care

and Environmental Certified

Where Food Comes From

CARE Certified

FARMS, COWS

& PASTURE

17,000+ acres of organic grazing

pasture operated by AOD

RAW MILK TRANSPORT

Full, efficient routes

RAW MILK

TRANSPORT

PLANT & COLD

STORAGE

PLANT & COLD STORAGE

Safe Quality Food Certified —

92–99% score every year

Energy-efficient systems

and robotics

79% of plant water recycled

DISTRIBUTION

Our cow-to-carton business model promotes traceability, quality and products with integrity

DISTRIBUTION

All new carriers EPA SmartWay

Certified since 2009

Largest partner carrier fleet is

EPA Certified Clean Idle and

California Air Resources

Board compliant

CONSUMER

Organic Dairy Products

ORGANIC DAIRY PRODUCTS

Award-winning quality

Healthy and nutritious

Vertically integrated supply chain

for more affordable pricing

CEO LETTER OVERVIEW


APPENDIX

Platteville Dairy Farm, Platteville, CO



9

1976

Aurora Dairy

founded,

Idaho

Our History

1980

1980

Platteville, CO

Dairy Farm

established

For more than 45 years, we have been

committed to ethical standards and

integrity in our business relationships.

OUR MISSION AT WORK

1994

Organic milk

first produced

2003

Committed

to 100%

organic

While our mission has evolved alongside our Company,

it remains focused on making organic dairy accessible to everyone,

everywhere. With our vertically integrated business model and

emphasis on the store-brand market, "Healthy, Affordable Food"

remains a priority for our stakeholders, and we continually

reinforce our dedication to our mission.

Our products are available across all 50 states, distributed

through discount retailers, national and regional grocery chains,

convenience stores, drugstores and club stores. This widespread

distribution, combined with the generally lower price of store-brand

products compared to branded alternatives, makes organic dairy

more accessible.

2006-2007

2004

On-farm milk

plant built at

Platteville

Dairy Farm

2006–2007

High Plains, Coldwater and

Pepper Dairy Farms began

supplying organic milk

2008

First Life Cycle

Assessment to determine

environmental impacts of

our products

ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY

2012

Dairy farm

added to Little

Calf Ranch site

2013

2013

First Sustainability

Report published,

and High Meadow

Dairy established

We make business decisions rooted in integrity, ethics and

culture—a commitment our stakeholders recognize. These

principles provide the foundation for employee loyalty and promote

long-standing relationships with customers, suppliers and other

stakeholders. In interactions with colleagues, animals, suppliers

and external stakeholders, we expect employees to act with

integrity and maintain ethical standards. We hold our suppliers

to these standards as well, with a zero-tolerance policy against

mistreatment of animals or employees and an expectation of

organic regulatory compliance. In 2023 we revamped our Company

Code of Conduct, which defines the standards and procedures for

preventing misconduct and reinforces our dedication to integrity

and ethical business practices (see page 44 to learn more).

2014

2014

On-site cold

storage built in

Platteville

2015

Heifer raising

at Pepper

Dairy Farm

established

2016

High Ridge

Dairy

established

MISSION:

WHY ARE WE IN BUSINESS?

Deliver organic dairy

integrity, from cow to

carton, to everyone,

everywhere.

2019

Grand opening of

Columbia Milk Plant,

and small bottles

introduced

2020

2020

Robotic milking parlor

at Platteville Dairy

Farm, and heifer

raising at Coldwater

Dairy Farm established

VISION:

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Aurora Organic

Dairy will be the

best value-added

milk supplier

in America.

2021

2021

Committed to

regenerative agriculture,

and launched pilot

product R&D lab at

Platteville Milk Plant

2022

Pepper Dairy Farm

expanded with first batch

milking robotic parlor in the

U.S., and heifer raising at

Gerk Farm established

WHAT ARE THE VALUES

THAT GUIDE US?

• Teamwork

• Excellence

2024

• Entrepreneurial

• Compassionate

2024

Organic feed additive used on

dairy farms to reduce enteric

methane emissions, and

Columbia Milk Plant expanded

• Transparent

• Organic

• Stewardship

CEO LETTER OVERVIEW


APPENDIX



11

Emphasizing

Animal Care

on Our Farms

Our Animal Goals focus on improving the health and well-being

of our dairy cows. Over the last three years, we have continued

to support both the physical and behavioral needs of our animals

through research and on-farm innovations. Our approach

emphasizes continuous improvement alongside employee

training and monitoring, with our goals serving as benchmarks

to guide progress.



1

DISBUDDING

Consistently minimize

disbudding on farms

ON TARGET

We select for animal health traits,

and strive to use semen from

polled bulls that also meet our

health trait criteria

OVERALL HEALTH 1

Incidence of early culling consistently

40%* below 2012 baseline

OFF TARGET

36%* below

2012 baseline

*3-year average

Incidence of early culling is one indicator of overall herd health. The rate reflects

cows <60 days in milk that were removed from the herd. Typically, a healthy cow

would not be removed from the herd at this early stage in the lactation cycle.

Animal Goals

LAMENESS

Incidence of lameness

consistently 35%*

below 2012 baseline

ON TARGET

63%* below

2012 baseline

*3-year average

MONITORING

3 rd party video monitoring of

all dairy farms daily, by 2020

ACCOMPLISHED

Installed at 4 of 4 dairy farms

CALF HOUSING

Paired and group calf

housing by 2019

ACCOMPLISHED

Implemented at all

of our dairy farms


13

CEO LETTER OVERVIEW


APPENDIX

Empowering

Our People &

Communities

Our People Goals prioritize creating safe workplaces and

offering initiatives that support employee retention and

overall well-being. While challenges are inevitable and

our People Goals are off target, we saw positive results

in our 2024 safety performance. We are committed to

continuously improving how we engage employees,

with safety remaining our top priority.

Platteville Milk Plant, Platteville, CO


1

2

3

4

SAFETY AT

PROCESSING PLANTS 2

Processing plant injury rate* consistently

lower than top quartile of industry

OFF TARGET

5.6 injury rate* was higher

than the latest industry top

quartile rate of 3.9

*3-year average

Targeting a farm injury rate lower than the top quartile of the

industry will be considered as more robust data becomes

available for the dairy cattle and milk production sector.

Latest data available for industry rates for farms and

processing plants at time of publication was 2023 data.

Full-time employees with at least 60 days of employment.

Excludes seasonal employees.

People Goals

SAFETY AT FARMS 1,2

Farm injury rate* consistently

lower than industry average

OFF TARGET

4.8 injury rate* was higher

than the latest industry

average of 3.1

*3-year average

WELLNESS

Improve participation in health and

wellness initiatives to 70%* by 2025

OFF TARGET

60%* of AOD employees who were

eligible 3 for health care coverage

enrolled in the Company’s

medical insurance plan

*3-year average

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

& RETENTION

Increase rate of positions filled

internally to 10%* by 2025

OFF TARGET

4%* of positions

filled internally 4

*3-year average


15

CEO LETTER OVERVIEW


APPENDIX

Building

Climate

Resilience

As stewards of the land, nature, water and air, we use our Planet Goals

to define measurable climate objectives that track our progress and

guide us toward climate resilience. Since 2020, we have achieved our

annual goal to offset 100% of our energy emissions for Company-owned

farms and processing plants, headquarters and raw milk transport by

supporting third-party carbon reduction and renewable energy projects.

We are on track to meet our long-term goals for greenhouse gas

emissions and processing plant water consumption, and we strive

to make progress across our other Planet Goal areas.



GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Reduce by 30%* per kg of product

vs. 2012 baseline by 2025

ON TARGET

29%* reduction vs.

2012 baseline

*3-year average. Denominator

excludes water weight

PLANT WATER CONSUMPTION

Reduce by 20%* per half gallon

equivalent of product vs.

2012 baseline by 2025

ON TARGET

32%* reduction vs.

2012 baseline

*3-year average

Planet Goals

PLANT WASTE

Divert 75%* of solid waste

from landfill by 2025

OFF TARGET

69%* diverted

*3-year average

OFFSETTING ENERGY EMISSIONS

100% by 2020 for Company-owned farms

and processing plants, headquarters

office and all raw milk transportation to

our Company-owned processing plants

ACCOMPLISHED

Annually since 2020, we have

supported third-party carbon

reduction and renewable energy

projects, with an independent

third-party validation

confirming that we offset 100%

of our energy emissions

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Reduce by 15%* per half gallon

equivalent of product vs. 2012

baseline by 2025

OFF TARGET

5%* reduction vs.

2012 baseline

*3-year average

FARM IRRIGATION

Consistently utilize variable rate

irrigation on all applicable pivots

during 100% of the growing season

OFF TARGET

75% utilization

FARM WASTE

Divert 25%* of solid waste


OFF TARGET

6%* diverted

*3-year average


17

CEO LETTER OVERVIEW


APPENDIX

Quality

Organic

Dairy

CORE VALUE: ORGANIC

We are committed to organic

agriculture and offering consumers

the choice to buy dairy products

that are made without synthetics,

antibiotics or GMOs.

Our quality awards

Third Place For

Ultra-Pasteurized Milk,

Whole Milk — Platteville Plant

WORLD DAIRY EXPO, 2024

Third Place For


Whole A2 — Platteville Plant


Sixth Place For

Vanilla Creamer —

Columbia Plant


First Place For


Whole A2 — Platteville Plant


Second Place For


2% — Columbia Plant


Best New Product

RETAIL CUSTOMER AWARD, 2019

Second Place For

Ultra-Pasteurized Milk


CEO LETTER


APPENDIX

Stratford, TX


18


19

Organic Integrity for More than 30 Years

Since the mid-1970s, our founders leveraged their experience as

dedicated dairy farmers to become pioneers in the organic dairy

movement, with experience in milk production across various

U.S. climates. By the early 1990s, they adopted organic farming

methods to support emerging organic dairy brands, designating

specific groups of cows to organic production standards. Several of

our employees and our founders were involved in the early days of

the organic dairy industry, working with other pioneers to develop

the organic standards we follow today.

In 2003, Aurora Organic Dairy committed to producing organic

dairy products. Every aspect of our production chain, including

THE ORGANIC DAIRY DIFFERENCE

YES

ORGANIC PASTURE

NO

USE OF ANTIBIOTICS OR

SYNTHETIC GROWTH HORMONES

In the case we need to preserve an animal's life, the

animal is removed from the herd, treated and sold.

YES

USDA CERTIFIED

NO

USE OF GMOS

GMOS

farm inputs, soil, crops and pasture, livestock management,

facilities and dairy quality, has been certified organic since then.

Our facilities are subject to annual audits and unannounced

inspections by U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic

Program accredited certifiers. This includes both visual

assessments of our facilities and reviews of our Organic System

Plans and records. Organic certifiers trace the origins of all our farm

inputs and validate our records to confirm we meet USDA National

Organic Program standards. Additionally, we require up-to-date

organic certifications from each of our feed suppliers.

NO

USE OF SYNTHETIC

PESTICIDES, HERBICIDES

OR INSECTICIDES

CORE VALUE: EXCELLENCE

By taking pride in our work,

we share a passion to make

the best and be the best.

Columbia Milk Plant, Columbia, MO

Organic Dairy Regulations

We comply with USDA National Organic Program standards for

agricultural crops, livestock management and food processing.

In the U.S., the USDA Organic label is the only certification that

legally requires third-party verification at every stage, from the

farm to the finished product, supported by federal oversight

and enforcement.

We produce and manage crops and pasture that feed our dairy

cows without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or

genetically modified organisms. Our organic dairy cows that

produce organic milk are never given antibiotics, synthetic

growth hormones or other prohibited substances. At all of our

dairy farms, cows receive a minimum of 30% of their dry

matter intake from organic certified pasture during the grazing

season, which cannot be less than 120 days (USDA Organic

Dairy Regulations).

The Colorado Department of Agriculture certifies our Colorado

farms, while our Texas farms and Colorado and Missouri milk

plants are certified by Quality Assurance International. In 2024, our

Company-owned farms were dual certified by Where Food Comes

From Organic. Each of our dairy farms follows the USDA National

Organic Program’s requirements and emphasizes practices that

support cow care, grazing, sustainability and organic compliance.

Surrounding our farms are more than 17,000 organic pasture acres

for grazing. Our dairy cows have open housing with continuous

access to outdoor exercise areas. We design our facilities to allow

cows to graze close to amenities like shelter, water, milk parlors

and herd-health facilities. In the winter months, when pastures are

dormant, our cows remain free from confinement and are never

tied to stalls.

Our network of more than 75 independent farmers, predominately

based in our farming regions, helps support more than 75,000

acres of organic-dedicated farmland. Suppliers providing feed

to our organic farms must meet the criteria we outline in our

Farm Sourcing Policies, including USDA organic certification and

adherence to our quality standards. Additionally, we source milk

from a select group of organic dairy farms and verify that each

meets our milk quality and animal care standards.

Our two milk plants comply with organic dairy regulations. These

facilities meet organic standards, delivering the quality that organic

dairy consumers expect.

The USDA Organic label verifies

a product meets organic standards

CEO LETTER OVERVIEW QUALITY ORGANIC DAIRY

ANIMALS PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX



20


21

Traceability, Quality & Product

Integrity from Vertical Integration

As both a dairy farmer and bottler, we manage our dairy farms,

raise our cows, and produce and process our milk. Our cow-to-carton

business model allows us to control our product integrity, quality

and traceability.

Certified organic feed is the first step of our integrated model. We

grow a portion of our organic feed and manage 100% of the more than

17,000 acres of certified organic pastures we use for grazing our dairy

cows. We also support a network of approximately 75 independent

farmers who grow organic feed on an estimated 75,000 acres.

Our three heifer-raising farms and organic dairy farms, equipped

with ten individual milking parlors, maintain a steady supply of

organic-born replacement cows for our dairy farms. In recent years,

we have expanded our farms to include A2 organic milk production.

Together, Aurora Organic Dairy farms produce the majority of the

milk processed at our milk plants in Platteville, Colorado, and

Columbia, Missouri. These milk plants specialize in pasteurizing and

homogenizing milk into a range of products with varying fat contents,

nutrition-fortified options, flavorings and other customer specific

varieties. Our on-site testing labs promote milk quality and food safety.

Our vertically integrated supply chain creates a direct feedback

loop between our plant quality lab technicians and our farms,

enhancing milk quality. Our quality-assurance protocols require

that our products are assessed for health and safety improvements.

We conduct milk sensory tests and numerous quality tests at eight

different points along the milk’s journey, from farm through bottling

and distribution.

The perishable nature of dairy products helps drive our commitment

to food safety and quality, which stakeholders consider a material

topic for our organization. We continue to prioritize milk quality

and safety from cow-to-carton and have had zero incidences of

noncompliance with regulations or codes related to the health

and safety of our products.

“At Aurora Organic Dairy, quality is not just about meeting

regulations—it is about exceeding expectations, allowing

every product to reflect our commitment to traceability,

integrity and excellence.”

— PEGGY COLFELT, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF QUALITY

Milk Quality Score of

92–99% since initial

certification in 2009

Based on a maximum score of

100% from annual Safe Quality

Food Certification audits

We donate milk to neighbors of our dairy farms in Colorado and Texas

Quality Dairy Products

At Aurora Organic Dairy, we strive for excellence in quality, from

the milk we produce on our farms and the milk we source from

partner dairy farmers to each ingredient used in our final products.

Dairy processors in the U.S. are required to meet quality and food

safety regulations throughout the dairy supply chain. We go beyond

this by earning Safe Quality Food Certification. Part of the Global

Food Safety Initiative, Safe Quality Food is an industry-leading

third-party food safety program with standards for food processing,

preparation and handling. We have Safe Quality Food Certified

our Platteville Milk Plant since 2009, and we have certified our

Columbia Milk Plant since 2019. Over the past 15 years, our

annual Safe Quality Food audit scores consistently range between

92–99% out of a possible 100%.

Our Platteville Processing Plant specializes in processing ultrapasteurized

gallon jugs and half gallon cartons. During 2024, the

Columbia Processing Plant expanded to include an additional ultrapasteurized

half gallon processing line, in addition to its aseptic

small bottle processing line, among other plant additions and

enhancements. The aseptic pasteurization process enables

milk to be stored at room temperature, offering extended shelf

life and enhanced convenience.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration and state regulatory agencies

govern both milk plants and enforce operating procedures

and protocols. The facilities comply with ongoing Food Safety

Modernization Act requirements, and our aseptic plant must

comply with Low Acid Foods Packaged in Hermetically Sealed

Containers regulations.

Since opening in 2019, our Columbia Milk Plant has been

instrumental in driving growth into new categories. Our aseptic

processing capabilities have allowed us to launch over a dozen

organic products, including Lactose-Free, A2 and grass-fed milk,

as well as a variety of flavored milks like chocolate, strawberry and

vanilla. We have also introduced a selection of creamers, such as

vanilla, French vanilla, sweet cream and hazelnut, along with classics

like half-and-half and heavy whipping cream. More recently, we have

expanded our product lineup to include DHA-enriched white milk

and an array of seasonal and specialty creamer flavors.

We expanded our Quality Team over the last five years to support

our product line expansion, new product development, Low Acid

Foods Packaged in Hermetically Sealed Containers requirements and

additional in-house testing. We implemented in-house somatic cell

count testing in both quality labs with these added resources, enabling

faster and more efficient feedback to our farms on raw milk quality.

The product research and development lab at our Platteville Milk

Plant has allowed us to remain at the forefront of dairy production

innovation since its establishment in 2021. This lab allows us to

streamline product development and testing in-house, as well as run

customer trials more efficiently than through third-party facilities.

Beyond federal and state-level audits and our Safe Quality Food

certifications, various stakeholders inspect our milk plants and review

our practices in food safety, organic certification, employee benefits

and practices, codes of conduct, ethical sourcing, workplace safety

and quality to confirm we meet or exceed their expectations.



APPENDIX



22


23

Our Supplier Standards for Quality

& Organic Integrity

We work with several suppliers across our cow-to-carton supply

chain, and require the same standards for quality, animal care

and organic integrity that we uphold at our facilities. Our sourcing

policies incorporate product quality, organic certification and

animal care standards, among others. We expect each of our

suppliers to conserve natural resources, treat their employees

fairly and demonstrate integrity when working with our Company.

We have invested in long-term partnerships with many of the more

than 75 independent organic farms that grow the majority of our

feed. In addition to holding valid organic certificates, our sourcing

policies require that all products meet our quality standards. We

seek competitive rates, clear and transparent communication and

dependable service. In return, we treat our suppliers with integrity,

offer fair pricing and foster long-term relationships. Our first

preference is to partner with local farmers and suppliers within

the communities where we operate.

As we work to build climate resilience and incorporate a more

holistic, nature-based approach to farming our land, we also

collaborate with our feed suppliers to identify soil health and

sustainable farming opportunities. For example, we have close

relationships with our corn silage farmers in Colorado and other

organic seed suppliers for interseeding annuals and establishing

cover crops on our organic pasture and harvest acres. We consult

with them to source organic seed varieties and share management

practices on irrigation and weed control, as well as timing for

plantings and harvests. We also include key organic feed suppliers

in on-site regenerative agriculture seminars.

Although the majority of our milk is produced on our farms, we also

source from select organic dairy farms that meet our quality and

animal care standards. Milk we source from third-party organic

dairy farmers holds valid USDA organic certification and Validus

Animal Welfare certification. Over many years, we have cultivated

partnerships with these dairy farmers by working closely together.

Our Supplier Policy outlines the criteria for companies who supply

any materials, ingredients and third-party cold storage services


to our milk plants. These standards reflect the certification

requirements of Safe Quality Food / Global Food Safety Initiative

and the Food Safety Modernization Act. Suppliers must undergo

an annual third-party food safety audit to verify they fulfill the

requirements to be an approved supplier.

Adherence to Relevant Laws

& Regulations

We must adhere to several laws and regulations based on

local and national regulatory requirements at all our farms and

processing plants. We go beyond these requirements by voluntarily

participating in third-party audits and certifications, including

Validus Animal Welfare, Worker Care and Environmental audits,

Safe Quality Food certification audits, and additional code-ofconduct

audits required by our customers and other stakeholders.

Aurora Organic Dairy is required to comply with various livestock

handling, food safety, organic, environmental and occupational

safety laws. As an organic dairy producer and processor in the

U.S., we adhere to the applicable laws and regulations for each of

our operations. This includes requirements of the U.S. Department

of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, the FDA, the USDA and

their National Organic Program, the U.S. Natural Resources

Conservation Service, the Colorado Department of Public Health

and Environment, the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas State Soil

and Water Conservation Board and the Texas Department of State

Health Services. In the normal course of business, Aurora Organic

Dairy is subject to federal, state and local environmental, health

and safety laws and regulations at our Company-owned farms

and milk plants. We maintain policies and procedures designed

to promote compliance with these laws and regulations. If an

instance of non-compliance or a fine occurs, we work to

implement corrective actions and remediate the issue.

CORE VALUE: TRANSPARENT

We are proud of our work

and engage stakeholders

in discussions around our

production practices.

Dublin, TX

Nutritious Products &

Transparent Labeling

Dairy products are a necessary part of a balanced diet,

providing a variety of health benefits since milk is rich in calcium,

phosphorus, magnesium, protein, vitamin D and other vitamins.

As a key component of the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Plan, dairy

products contribute to healthy bones and teeth, and offer

additional health benefits.

Our milk is available in recyclable gallon plastic jugs and half gallon

cartons, offered in four clearly labeled fat content options: non-fat,

1%, 2% and whole milk to meet consumer preferences. In small

PET plastic bottles, we offer additional flavored and fortified shelfstable

milks and creamers. Lower fat content milk is lower in both

saturated and unsaturated fats. Our fortified milks offer Omega-3

fatty acids, and other nutritional benefits from added milk solids,

including protein, minerals and lactose, for consumers seeking

nutritionally enhanced products.

We promote transparency in our product labeling by including

nutritional, food safety, allergen, ingredients, certifications and

safe handling information. We also include “best-by” information

to assist product quality and reduce food waste, and include clear

packaging recyclability guidance to minimize waste generated

from improper disposal.

Consumers depend on accurate labeling to make informed, healthy

food choices, and to properly handle and dispose of products

at home. We follow all FDA regulations for labeling 100% of our

products. We include our organic certifications and other voluntary

third-party certifications, such as our Validus Animal Welfare

certification logo and Kosher certification insignia, on our labels

to provide additional information to consumers. At Aurora Organic

Dairy, we engage with retail customers to educate consumers

about our production practices, sourcing and other values-driven

information. We experienced zero incidents of noncompliance

with laws related to the labeling of our products during the periods

covered by this and all prior sustainability reports.

The Nutrition Facts Panel provides consumers with productspecific

information on the nutritional profile of packaged food

products. Our products’ nutritional labeling includes an ingredients

statement, information about added vitamins and the nutrition

facts panel. As of January 1, 2020, the FDA required changes to

the Nutrition Facts Panel to make it easier for consumers to make

well-informed food choices. Aurora Organic Dairy had met these

labeling requirements in advance of the deadline.



APPENDIX


24


25

Emphasizing

Animal Care

on Our Farms

Core Value: Compassionate

Animal care is a fundamental

practice on our farms.

On our farms, we believe

that caring for our cows

is the right thing to do

Preventing disease is a priority

in our organic system

Facilities built for comfort

& grazing

Paired calf housing

Animal care & biosecurity

trainings

Disbudding minimized

Daily video monitoring

In-house veterinarians

Nutritious feed & pasture

Outdoor access year-round

Never tied to a stall

Certified by independent

third-party, Validus

CEO LETTER


APPENDIX



26


27

Fostering a Culture of Animal

Husbandry Expertise

Our in-house expertise in animal husbandry has been a

cornerstone of our identity as dairy farmers for the past four

decades. Under the leadership of our Chief Agricultural Officer,

Juan Velez, MV, M.S., DACT, we have fostered a culture rooted

in animal care and compassion.

Dr. Velez and the farm management team have developed numerous

animal care practices guided by research and science that have

become standard across the organic dairy industry. Often created

in collaboration with universities and research organizations, these

practices have been published in animal science journals. Over the

past three years, Dr. Velez’s farm management team has contributed

to peer-reviewed studies that help inform animal care practices

across topics such as cow behavior and postpartum disorders.

Our team includes five additional veterinarians who oversee the

health protocols for our Company’s herd. Certified organic diets

of pasture and feed for our animals are developed and tailored

by third-party doctoral-level nutritionists, and are continually

customized based on facility, cow group and developmental stage.

Additionally, we actively recruit and employ graduates and interns

with expertise in veterinary medicine, animal science and agronomy,

alongside third-party veterinarians, to help care for our animals.

Our farm employees receive regular training on animal care and

biosecurity protocols multiple times throughout the year. This

includes hands-on training with their supervisors, as well as

educational presentations and in-house videos that reinforce

key procedures for animal care, safe handling, and sciencebased

practices for safeguarding herd and employee health.

Internal certification programs—meeting established standards

and requiring annual recertification—are in place for individuals

performing certain animal care procedures. Employees working

directly with animals complete training on job functionalities,

animal health and management standards. Completion is tracked

through an online learning platform, which has enhanced employee

preparedness. Understanding the behavioral and motivational

characteristics of cows is crucial for our employees to anticipate

their needs and respond effectively to their reactions in various

situations. To support this, we have integrated animal behavior

training into our animal care protocols. This additional training

helps to refine and strengthen our employees' knowledge and

skills in upholding animal care standards.

Caring for Our Animals

We believe that caring for our cows is the right thing to do on our

farms. Animal care is a core principle of our farming practices.

We embrace an open-minded approach to animal care through

our commitment to continuous improvement, guided by the Five

Freedoms of animal welfare. The Five Freedoms include the freedom

from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain,

injury and disease; freedom to express their natural behaviors; and

freedom from fear and distress. We aim to adopt innovative, animalfirst

practices, working in collaboration with universities to develop

peer-reviewed research that advances the field.

As of March 2025, we managed approximately 44,000 cows, calves

and heifers on our Company-managed, certified organic dairy farms,

calf ranch and heifer farms, which allows us to create a closed herd

(see AOD Locations map, pages 6 and 7). This number has remained

relatively consistent over the years. The majority of our cows are of

the Holstein breed, with a small percentage of Jersey and crossbred

cows. We rely on natural service and artificial insemination to breed

our dairy cows.

"Animal care is at the heart of everything we do at

Aurora Organic Dairy. By combining science, research

and compassion, we have helped to develop practices

that prioritize animal welfare, foster continuous learning

and deepen our understanding of our cows’ needs to

promote their well-being.”

— DR. JUAN VELEZ, CHIEF AGRICULTURAL OFFICER

ADVANCEMENTS IN ANIMAL CARE

Examples of Aurora Organic Dairy’s

Initiatives That Put Animals First

• Animal welfare audits and certification, starting in 2005

• Paired calf housing at all facilities in 2019

• Daily video monitoring at dairy farms in 2024

• Strengthened science-based biosecurity measures in 2024

Our commitment to innovation drives us to focus on

continuous improvement and rely on research and science to

achieve advancements. Our collaborations with professional

associations and numerous universities have helped shape

animal care standards throughout the organic dairy industry.

Some of our latest published research with Colorado State

University examines the robotic milking station selection

behaviors of our multibreed organic dairy farm in a batch

milking system with automatic milking units. We have also been

working with industry professionals and government agencies to

strengthen our science-based biosecurity trainings, protocols

and practices that protect our animals and employees from

disease exposure.

Latest Research Partnership:

Robotic Station Preferences in Organic Dairy

Herd Batch Milking Systems

SUPPORTING ANIMAL

HUSBANDRY RESEARCH

During the last 10 years,


has collaborated with

universities to publish

more than 50 on-farm

research studies in

peer-reviewed animal

science journals.

(For a list of the peer-reviewed

studies, see page 96.)


Our farms have been animal welfare certified by Validus since

2005, which includes comprehensive audits and inspections

(see page 32 for details). Daily video monitoring at our dairy

farms supports employee training and allows us to address

potential concerns before and as they arise. Additionally,

we encourage employees to report even the smallest animal

care issue and take proactive steps to support the well-being

of our dairy cows. To reinforce our culture of care, we have

instituted an anonymous hotline where employees can report

any potential instances of animal abuse and mistreatment.

In 2019, we achieved our initiative to eliminate individual calf

housing, which allows our calves, from the time they are born,

to be raised in social arrangements, enabling more natural

behaviors and promoting cognitive and emotional health.

Additionally, we have worked to continually reduce incidents

of lameness in our herd through prevention and early

detection. Our focus on decreasing disbudding procedures on

our farms is addressed with semen from polled bulls, reducing

the number of calves born with horns.

CEO LETTER OVERVIEW QUALITY ORGANIC DAIRY ANIMALS

PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX


28


29

DISBUDDING

Consistently minimize

disbudding on farms

ON TARGET

We select for animal health traits,

and strive to use semen from

polled bulls that also meet our

health trait criteria


Animal Goals

OVERALL HEALTH 1

Incidence of early culling consistently

40%* below 2012 baseline

OFF TARGET

36%* below

2012 baseline

*3-year average


2024 RESULTS

LAMENESS

Incidence of lameness

consistently 35%*

below 2012 baseline

ON TARGET

63%* below

2012 baseline

*3-year average

MONITORING

3 rd party video monitoring of

all dairy farms daily, by 2020

ACCOMPLISHED

Installed at 4 of 4 dairy farms

CALF HOUSING

Paired and group calf

housing by 2019

ACCOMPLISHED

Implemented at all

of our dairy farms

1

Incidence of early culling is one indicator of overall herd health.

The rate reflects cows <60 days in milk that were removed from

the herd. Typically, a healthy cow would not be removed from

the herd at this early stage in the lactation cycle.

30

Prioritizing Disease Prevention

Being a 100% certified organic system means that we cannot rely

on antibiotics to treat disease. We view this as an opportunity to

innovate with advanced animal care and biosecurity protocols

highlighting cow care and comfort, combined with employee

training programs focused on prevention.

Disease prevention starts with our people. We employ six on-staff

veterinarians and work closely with expert nutritionists to help our

cows receive the right diet. Our animals graze on organic pastures

during the grazing season and are fed nutrient-rich organic feed.

Our farm staff participates in training programs to learn our animal

care and biosecurity protocols and to identify early signs of stress

or illnesses in our cows.

We consider animal health in all decisions—including our approach

to selecting the semen we use for artificial insemination. In

addition to milk production, we favor animal wellness and longevity

when we select for genetic traits.

Early Detection is Key

When illness cannot be prevented, the next best step is early

detection, which means our animals receive immediate

treatment. Early detection involves continuous monitoring.

For instance, during our milking routine, each cow is examined

two-to-three times daily for mastitis, which is an active

inflammatory process in the udder. Additional monitoring

takes place when cows are at the feed bunks, walking to and

from pasture, and during routine health procedures.

We also utilize the latest technology, science and data to identify

and prevent diseases. At our High Plains Dairy Farms and Pepper

Dairy Farm, we have implemented a pedometer technology that

tracks our cows’ movements and provides early detection of

illness. The pedometers detect general activity, changes in



We have a dedicated maternity facility or area within our barns for

cows close to calving. This enables our trained animal care team to

offer organic feed formulated with nutrients, vitamins and minerals

to support the health of the cows and their calves.

Newborn calves are fed colostrum to build a strong immune

system, they receive milk at least two-to-three times per day and

are under 24-hour supervision. Our Calf Caregivers are trained on

our animal care and biosecurity protocols, and provide animals

with access to clean water, milk, solid feed and comfortable

bedding. To promote cognitive and emotional health, in 2018 we

started raising calves in pairs or larger social groups. By the end

of 2019, we achieved our goal to completely phase out individual

calf housing. Calves are administered organic-approved vaccines,

which play an important role in biosecurity and disease prevention.

weight distribution, lying times and behavior, and possible

lameness. Data collected from this technology helps our team

individually monitor the health of our cows and immediately

identify and address potential concerns. We recently participated

in a study that explored how employees perceive and use

digital systems associated with pedometers and other precision

technologies, focusing on how these platforms support decisionmaking

to promote animal health and comfort.

We are also conducting research trials using a product

containing essential oils to monitor its impact on reducing

mastitis and a variety of health-related indicators at our High

Plains Dairy Farms. Reducing and preventing mastitis is key

to maintaining a healthy herd.

31


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX

Animal Welfare Certified

by Validus

Our commitment to animal care and continuous improvement

led us to engage industry experts for independent verification,

providing valuable insights to enhance our animal care protocols.

In 2005, Aurora Organic Dairy became one of the first dairy farms

to voluntarily achieve animal welfare certification.

Validus, an independent, U.S. Department of Agriculture Process

Verified animal welfare certifier, is ISO 9001:2015 accredited

for quality, and meets ISO/TS 34700 criteria for animal welfare

management and guidance for organizations in the food supply

chain. In addition to our long-standing animal welfare certifications

with Validus, in 2010 we achieved Validus Worker Care certification

(see page 50). Most recently, in 2021 we became Validus

Environmental Certified (see page 64) and obtained the Where

Food Comes From CARE Certification, which is a sustainability

standard for the dairy industry that requires an annual on-site

audit by Validus Verification Services.

All our farms and milk plants have maintained Validus Animal

Welfare certification since 2005, or their respective establishment

or opening. Each received the highest available scores in the

reporting periods of 2022, 2023 and 2024. In addition to 100%

of our Company-owned facilities being Validus certified, we also

require our third-party milk suppliers to be Validus certified for

animal welfare.

Beginning in 2017, to enhance transparency, we have requested

Validus conduct unannounced audits at our farms—in addition

to our own internal, routine audits—to confirm we meet the

standards for Validus Animal Welfare certification. Each audit

at our farms includes an inspection of our animals, facilities,

protocols and records. Inspectors score each of our farms on

more than 115 animal welfare metrics, including: locomotion,

cleanliness, body condition, behavior, facilities, protocols

and management.

In 2024, only 340 dairies in the U.S. achieved Validus Animal

Welfare certification. Trained and certified Validus inspectors

from Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization

perform annual, multi-day certification audits at each of our

Company-owned farms. We request these unannounced audits

be conducted by dairy professionals or veterinarians. Validus

prohibits branding, tie-stalls and tail docking—none of which are

part of our animal care practices and our cows have year-round

outdoor access. We are dedicated to animal care and strive to

continuously improve.


"Animal care is a fundamental practice on our farms,

grounded in observing the behavior of each animal

and continually striving to meet the animal's needs.

Our internal-auditing process reinforces our commitment

to doing what is right for our animals and helps us

consistently receive the highest available scores under

Validus Animal Welfare certification standards."

—DR. JIMENA GODOY, ANIMAL WELFARE SPECIALIST

Environmental Review

ValidusCertified.com


Facilities Built for Comfort

& Grazing

A core principle of our animal care philosophy is allowing our cows

the freedom to express their natural behaviors. Our dairy farms were

designed to promote cow comfort and employee safety, and help

us meet the grazing requirements of the USDA National Organic

Program. Our mature animals are housed in freestall barns or loose,

open housing, providing them with year-round outdoor access. Our

farms are located in the temperate climates of Colorado and Texas.

Shelter is available, particularly in inclement weather.

Surrounding our milking parlors and animal housing are pastures

that allow us to practice rotational grazing while aiming to provide

cows with the care needed and ability to be milked two-to-three

times a day. At all of our dairy farms, cows receive a minimum of

30% of their dry matter intake from organic certified pasture during

the grazing season, which cannot be less than 120 days (USDA

Organic Dairy Regulations). Additionally, our cows have fresh food

and water, and clean bedding.

To avoid heat stress in our animals during summer months, we

adjust grazing routines and have equipped our barns and milking

parlors with fans and misters to help keep the cows cool. Walkways

are lined with rubber mats to provide a cushioned surface for both

cows and employees, and raised milking stalls help to reduce back

strain in our milk harvesting staff.

We have invested in additional cow comfort features at our dairy

farms, including comfort brushes installed throughout our barns.

The freestall barns at our High Ridge Dairy Farm feature more

flexible dividers, which improve the cows’ comfort when they lie

down. The pedometer technology at our High Plains Dairy Farms

also helps us accommodate our cows’ comfort needs and adjust

management practices accordingly. We continue to participate in

university and veterinary research to identify new and innovative

ways to improve our facilities for cow comfort.


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX


32


33

Vendor Animal Care Standards

Our dairy farms partner with diverse suppliers and service providers

who are expected to uphold our animal care standards. We work

with cattle hauling companies and on-farm service providers who

help to support the health of our animals. We also sell crossbred

heifers and male calves to outside livestock farmers. It is our

expectation that each of these vendors follow our standards of

animal care.

We provide an Animal Care Standards Memorandum to all vendors

for review and signature. This document communicates our

animal care expectations and our zero-tolerance policy for the

mistreatment of our animals. When vendors come onto our facilities

to work with our animals, they are monitored to confirm proper

animal care and treatment.

We require a signed Cattle Hauling Agreement from any company

that hauls cattle for us. This agreement details safe handling and

transport procedures, which align with the latest animal welfare

regulations and our specific on-farm animal care protocols. In

addition, they must have their Beef Quality Assurance certification,

which confirms a commitment to quality and proper management

techniques. Unhealthy animals not fit for transport are prohibited

from traveling. During hot weather, nighttime transportation is

mandatory for our animals, and haulers must show animals have

adequate space and are treated respectfully. The agreement also

includes requirements for trailer preparation, careful driving and

proper loading/unloading techniques.

ANIMAL CARE STANDARDS AT AURORA ORGANIC DAIRY

Health & Management

• No Branding — Since 2008, no branding has been

performed at our dairies.

• No Tail Docking — No tail docking is performed at our

dairies, and we do not purchase animals that have

docked tails.

• No Udder Flaming — Udder flaming is not practiced at

our dairies.

• No Prods — Prods—electric or otherwise—are not used

at our dairies.

• Minimizing Disbudding — To minimize the need for

disbudding, in 2013 we began breeding cows with semen

from polled bulls, so that the offspring will have a greater

likelihood to be born without horns.

• Minimize Pain — While we do not have the need to perform

many surgical procedures on our animals, when we do, we

require trained employees to use an organic-approved local

anesthetic, and aspirin or flunixin, to help minimize pain.

In the event disbudding procedures are required, a local

anesthetic and pain relief are also administered by on-farm

certified employees.

• No Synthetic Growth Hormones — Synthetic growth

hormones are never used at our dairies.

• No Antibiotics — Antibiotics are not used, except in the

case we need to preserve the animal's life. If organic

approved treatments are not successful in treating disease,

the animal is removed from the herd, treated and sold.

• Lameness Prevention — Preventing lameness is a

top priority. We visually monitor our animals daily, use

pedometers to detect early signs of lameness, cover floors

with rubber mats, utilize foot baths, employ selective

breeding for hoof health and perform certified treatments,

as needed. Our hoof trimmers are trained and certified

annually by a third-party animal welfare expert.

• Quality of Life — Treatment for a very sick—or downed—

animal requires that an experienced, trained and certified

team of employees carefully transfer the animal to a clean,

dry area. The animal is provided with clean, dry bedding,

fresh food and water, protection from the elements and

health care. If organic-approved treatments are not

successful, the animal is treated with conventional

remedies and removed from the herd.

• Humane Euthanasia — If an animal is suffering and cannot

be brought back to health, euthanasia is performed by a

certified technician to eliminate pain and suffering.

• Daily Supervision — Regular animal supervision that is

focused on continuous improvement.

Feed & Facilities

• Animals are provided with clean food and water.

• Year-round outdoor access to exercise areas.

• No synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers are

used on the feed or pasture provided to the animals.

Additionally, organic feed cannot be produced with

genetically modified organisms. We require valid organic

certifications from all feed suppliers.

• At all our dairy farms, cows receive a minimum of 30%

of their dry matter intake from organic certified pasture

during the grazing season, which is at least 120 days

(USDA Organic Dairy Regulations).

• Animals are not without feed and water for more than

one hour at a time (typically during milk harvesting).

• On-staff nutrition experts continually monitor the cattle

feed at all locations. A nutritionist reviews the herds

frequently and adjusts the feed ration as needed for the

health of our animals.

• Animals are provided with a comfortable, dry place

to lie down.

• Animals are provided with shade and protection from

the elements, as needed.

• Animals are provided with sufficient space for comfort

and to display natural behaviors. We only house our

animals in freestall barns and open, loose housing.

• Tie-stall barns are never used.

• No individual calf housing—Since 2019, all calves have

been housed in pairs or groups to promote cognitive and

emotional health. They continue to receive dedicated

care and attention to prevent disease.

• Our facilities are maintained with sanitary conditions

to prevent disease and outbreaks.

• To prevent injury to our animals, our facilities are

maintained in good condition, and our employees are

trained in safe handling practices.

• Walkways are kept clean and slip-resistant.

• We strive to keep our milking parlors clean with good

airflow, and we use cooling systems to provide comfort

during periods of high temperatures.

• Our milking parlors are designed for optimum cow and

employee comfort. Rubber mats are used on most

walkways and lanes to maintain foot, leg and hoof health

and comfort. Rubber mats also increase the comfort of

our milk harvesters.


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX

Coldwater Dairy & Heifer Farms, Stratford, TX


34


35

OUTLOOK

Through our contributions to more than

50 on-farm research studies published in

peer-reviewed animal science journals over

the past decade, we remain committed

to advancing animal care standards and

husbandry expertise. As our 2025 Animal

Goals come to a close, we are developing

new targets that build on the progress we

have made. These goals will challenge us to

think creatively while continuing to prioritize

animal welfare and safe working conditions.


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX



36


37

Empowering

Our People &

Communities

Core Value: Entrepreneurial

We embody a spirit of dairy

innovation and take calculated risks

to exceed customer expectations.

We support people &

build lasting relationships

2024 Top Workplaces

USA, 2023 Top Workplaces

Manufacturing, 2022 Top

Workplaces USA

Workforce diversity

Benefits for employees

at all levels

Employee health & safety

are top priorities

Investments in training &

career development

Support local economies,

farmers & nonprofits

Scholarships for agriculture

education & employee

family members

Validus Worker Care

Certification

2022

2023

CEO LETTER


APPENDIX



38


39

EMPLOYEE DISTRIBUTION

PROCESSING

PLANTS

44%

FARMS

43%

860 full-time employees as of March 2025

(nearly 100% of total workforce is full time)


BOULDER

OFFICE

13%

Long-Lasting Relationships

Throughout our more than 45-year history, Aurora Organic Dairy

has built longstanding relationships with our employees, suppliers,

customers, local communities and other stakeholders. Thousands

of individuals and organizations support the daily operations of

our Company.

At Aurora Organic Dairy, we treat each other with respect and

cultivate long-term partnerships with both internal and external

stakeholders. Our dedicated employees help us deliver quality

organic dairy products to consumers. Many have been with us for

decades, reflecting their loyalty to our values-driven organization.

We also cultivate lasting partnerships with our suppliers, including

farmers who have grown feed for us since the 1990s.

As a part of our core values, we expect all stakeholders,

both internal and external, to act with integrity, honesty and

transparency. To support this, we provide fair and competitive

compensation. We prioritize safety by investing in training programs

for employees and suppliers. We encourage cross-departmental

communication to foster creativity and innovation. As we continue

to grow, we remain committed to nurturing and preserving what

makes our culture special.

At Aurora Organic Dairy, our people are a key part of what drives

our business forward. As part of our commitment to fostering a

positive and welcoming workplace, we regularly conduct employee

engagement surveys across all farms, processing plants and

office locations.

In the survey we conducted in January 2025, 60% of employees

participated, providing valuable insight into what is working well

and where we can improve. Here is what we heard:

Top-Ranked Attributes:

• Meaningfulness – My job makes me feel like I am part

of something meaningful

• Appreciation – I feel genuinely appreciated at Aurora

Organic Dairy

• Inclusion – I feel included at Aurora Organic Dairy

Areas for Improvement:

• Meetings – Meetings at Aurora Organic Dairy make good use

of my time

• Clued-in Employees – I feel well-informed about important

decisions at Aurora Organic Dairy

• Clued-in Leaders – Senior managers understand what is

really happening at Aurora Organic Dairy

The areas identified for improvement in the 2025 employee

engagement survey are consistent with those highlighted in our

previous 2023 survey. We have seen positive progress over that

period reflecting continued efforts to enhance companywide

communication and strengthen alignment across the organization.

For example, following the 2023 survey, we piloted SMS text

messaging and WhatsApp Communities to better connect with

employees across all locations. We also hired a Communications

Specialist, scheduled more regular town halls, and increased the

frequency of newsletters and other communications. We remain

committed to listening and acting on what employees share.

Diversity

At Aurora Organic Dairy, we believe that building a workforce with

a range of backgrounds and perspectives supports both our people

and our business. As both a producer and processor of organic dairy

products, we employ individuals with diverse work experience and

a wide breadth of job skills that include agriculture, food processing

and administrative functions. We value the range of experiences and

perspectives our employees bring, recognizing that this diversity

makes us stronger, more compassionate and more innovative.

Since March 2022, our total number of employees has increased

by 14%, from 755 to 860 individuals in March 2025 across our

farms, processing plants and offices. The increase in total full-time

employees during this period reflects growth across the business,

including continued investment in our processing plant operations—

notably the expansion of our Columbia Milk Plant. We also added

labor to support the expansion of our farm and heifer-raising

operations, and office-based roles to support rising demand for

our organic dairy products.

Diversity remains a characteristic of our workforce, with

approximately 62% of our employees identifying as non-white.

This number has declined slightly in comparison to March 2022

International Dairy Foods

Association Women’s Summit

In 2024, Aurora Organic Dairy’s leadership team selected three

women from our workforce to attend the first International

Dairy Foods Association Women's Summit. This three-day

event, hosted in Washington D.C., included sessions focused on

practical strategies to better support women at all levels of dairy

organizations, leadership development, mentorship, allyship and

advocacy. Participants were able to spend a day on Capitol Hill

meeting with policymakers and being educated on the impact

and importance of federal policies and programs.

AURORA ORGANIC DAIRY IS A 2024, 2023 & 2022 TOP WORKPLACE

2022

2023

when we last reported this metric as 63% of our workforce.

Given that Spanish is the first language for many of our employees,

we prioritize hiring bilingual managers and provide all essential

Company information and training programs in both English and

Spanish to allow our teams to receive critical information in their

native language. To learn more about our involvement in expanding

access to information in native languages, see page 51.

Although farming and manufacturing have historically been

male-oriented sectors, we have been able to attract and retain

women in key leadership roles across our farms and milk plants.

As of March 2025, 29% of our total full-time, regular workforce

is women, which is equal to March 2022 when we last reported

this metric. We remain committed to creating opportunities

for underrepresented groups and women in key management

roles across our executive team, farms and milk plants. Of the

117 supervisory and management-level employees throughout

our organization, 35% are non-white and 33% are women. This

compares to March 2022, when 33% of the 106 supervisory and

management-level employees throughout our organization were

non-white and 38% were women.

Washington, D.C.

In 2024 and 2022, Aurora Organic Dairy was named a Top U.S.

Workplace, and in 2023 we were recognized as a Top Workplace

in Manufacturing. The Top Workplaces award is based on

feedback from a research-backed employee engagement survey

that measures workplace experience and themes that drive it.

Research shows that Top Workplaces award winners score 20

to 30 percentage points higher on employee engagement than

the national average. In 2023, only 40 employers in our size

category were recognized as a Manufacturing Top Workplaces.

This designation reflects our commitment to providing our

employees with a positive workplace experience.

CEO LETTER

OVERVIEW QUALITY ORGANIC DAIRY ANIMALS PEOPLE

PLANET

APPENDIX


40


41

Benefits & Wellness at Every Level

Our people are important to us and are a primary pillar of our

sustainability program. We strive to develop a workplace culture

that is built on respect, encourages professional growth and

celebrates achievements. This focus has created a team that is

committed to our Company and its vision. To support and promote

the well-being of our team and their families, we seek ways to

strengthen and expand the benefits, wellness programs and

resources we provide.

Promoting employee wellness is a part of our commitment to

a healthier workforce. We annually track progress towards our

wellness-focused sustainability goal to monitor participation

and adjust health and wellness initiatives offered to employees.

Employee enrollment in our Company-provided medical plan has

increased by 17% since 2018, when the goal was launched. Since

BENEFITS

We offer

employees a

competitive

benefits

package and

well-being

opportunities,

including the

following:

PHYSICAL HEALTH

• Medical, dental and

vision coverage

• Health Flexible Spending

Account

• Health coverage for

qualified domestic

partners

"Supporting our people is a core pillar of our sustainability

program. By investing in our people, we strengthen our

business, our communities and our mission."

— JENNIFER HARNISH, CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

• Wellness programs and

opportunities

FINANCIAL HEALTH

• Competitive wages

• 401(k) and ROTH

retirement savings plan

with Company match

and immediate vesting

• PTO donation bank

to support coworkers

experiencing hardship

• Paid family leave and

parental leave

• Company paid and

employee optional

life insurance

• Income replacement

options—Short- & Longterm

disability coverage

• Tuition support

• Scholarships for family

members seeking posthigh

school education

2021, we have included a wellness program, MotivateMe, in

our medical plan to incentivize employees and their families

to improve their overall health and adopt positive habits. To

further support participation, we strive to improve access to

preventive care through incentives and a variety of third-party

plan options.

For our employees in rural areas, we partner with mobile

third-party health care organizations to offer free preventative

care to those who may otherwise not have the means to

access health and wellness providers. We also provide on-site

services like biometric screenings, wellness assessments and

vaccinations at no cost to our employees. We promote health

and wellness opportunities by sharing bilingual information

with employees through various available channels, including

MENTAL HEALTH

• Generous paid time off

and paid holidays

• Employee Assistance

Program

OTHER BENEFITS

• Company match on

employee charitable

contributions

• Training and career

development

• Free organic dairy

products

• Hybrid work option for

office positions

• Housing allowances or

on-site housing, where

available, for majority

of farm employees

email, internal social media platforms, texting systems or

television monitors at each location. Some wellness opportunities

have included active, community-based events that promote

health and camaraderie.

For our farm employees, who frequently work in varying weather

conditions, we strive to communicate the importance of

recognizing the signs of heat and cold stress before and during

peak season, supporting employees in identifying symptoms

in themselves and their coworkers. In 2024, we reinforced our

commitment to employee wellness by distributing hydration

packs to on-farm employees, enabling them to conveniently

carry water and stay hydrated while working during the warmer

months. In the winter, we provided neck gaiters to help these

employees stay warm.

During the growing season each year, Aurora

Organic Dairy provides employees at several

of our locations with weekly community

supported agriculture deliveries of fresh

produce from local organic farms. These

initiatives are part of what drives our broader

benefits strategy, helping employees have the

resources and support they need to succeed

at work and at home.

In 2024, Aurora Organic Dairy received Cigna Healthcare’s Silver

Level Healthy Workforce Designation, recognizing our commitment

to employee health through workplace well-being programs.

WELLNESS

Improve participation in health and

wellness initiatives to 70%* by 2025

OFF TARGET

60%* of AOD employees who were

eligible** for health care coverage

enrolled in the Company’s

medical insurance plan

*3-year average

**Full-time employees with at

least 60 days of employment

CEO LETTER


APPENDIX

Greeley, CO


42


43

Career Development & Training

As part of our commitment to our employees, Aurora Organic Dairy

supports training and career development. We strive to provide all

employees with feedback on their performance as part of our annual

review process—regardless of gender, job function or position—to

create opportunities for growth.

All employees have access to training and educational opportunities.

Our training programs cover a range of topics, including workplace

safety, functional job training, culture and mission alignment,

sustainability education and career development. At Aurora Organic

Dairy, supporting employee growth is a cornerstone of our culture.

We are committed to providing training and career development

opportunities companywide.

Over the past three years, we have remained committed to fostering

an environment where our employees can continuously learn and

align with our core values. Our Aurora Organic Dairy Learning

Networks leverage our employees as subject matter experts to

deliver presentations on a variety of topics that are crucial to our

business, from animal care and milk quality to consumer trends and

market conditions. To align employees with our vision and goals,

team members receive training on Aurora Organic Dairy’s mission

and culture. They are also required to formally acknowledge our

Company Code of Conduct, which we revamped in 2023, and

defines standards and procedures for preventing misconduct

and reinforces our dedication to integrity and ethical business

practices. It includes sections on key topics such as forced, bonded,

indentured, slave, prison labor or human trafficking; wages and

benefits; anti-discrimination of workers; anti-harassment or abuse;

grievance mechanism; child labor; working hours; freedom of

association; foreign and migrant workers; safe working conditions

and U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance;

worker housing; animal care standards; business ethics; and our

approach to sustainability.

Management Training Program

at Our Processing Plants

In 2022, our processing plants introduced a Management

Training Program that offers new graduates a pathway into

management roles within our Company. Over the course of

approximately nine months to one year, trainees receive training

as they rotate through various processing plant functions,

including receiving, processing, filling and lab operations. This

flexible program allows the curriculum to be tailored to meet

specific operational needs and provide relevant, hands-on

experience. Participants gain leadership skills, preparing them

to manage areas of plant operations. Upon completion, trainees

transition into supervisory positions. Since 2022, eight trainees

have completed the program across both locations.

We provide supplemental, job-specific training for our farm and

processing plant employees. Our farm employees participate in

safety, animal care and biosecurity trainings, while our processing

plant employees participate in trainings focused on manufacturing

equipment and safety procedures, food safety and milk quality.

In 2023, we began sending our leadership employees to a

multiday training program that offers a focused, hands-on

approach to leadership development, aiming to drive behavioral

changes within organizations. Since we first began sending

members of our team, 29 processing plant leadership employees

have attended this program.

We are dedicated to fostering the growth of our management and

office staff through a range of development opportunities. For

our management team, we offer webinars to help them with goal

setting, employee reviews, onboarding new employees, hiring and

interviewing skills, change management training and staff career

development training. Our home office new hire training program

covers a variety of topics relevant for administrative support staff,

including Aurora Organic Dairy’s commitment to sustainability

and organics, safety information, workplace harassment and

violence training, healthy office spaces and ergonomics, and

our Company mission and values.

Our commitment to education extends beyond in-house training.

Employees can access up to $3,500 in tuition assistance for

job-related coursework and have the opportunity to participate

in Company-paid external training programs that enhance career

skills. We also have a milk plant-specific program that pays

employees when they acquire new job skills.


Supervisor Leadership Training

Program at Our Farms

In 2024, Aurora Organic Dairy launched the Supervisor

Leadership Training Program across our Company-owned dairy

farms. This one-year program expects monthly commitments

and is designed to prepare employees for future management

roles by providing access to leadership tools. The program

supports individual development by emphasizing career growth,

fostering a culture of accountability and encouraging continuous

improvement. The curriculum focuses on dairy operations,

highlighting operational efficiency and key performance

indicators, as well as animal welfare with an emphasis on animal

behavior and audit processes. The program also addresses

principles of regenerative agriculture, such as rotational grazing

management and pasture care. Subject matter experts support

participants on topics like human resources policies, financial

literacy and leadership development.

Employee Opportunities & Retention

Aurora Organic Dairy is dedicated to fostering career growth

and providing development opportunities for employees at every

level. The Management Training Program at our milk plants

and the Supervisor Leadership Training Program at our dairy

farms demonstrate our commitment to cultivating leadership

skills internally and providing employees with opportunities for

advancement. By investing in our team members, we not only

support individual growth but also strengthen our organization.


These efforts lead to higher retention rates, a more engaged

workforce and a pipeline of talented employees who contribute

to Aurora Organic Dairy’s growth. Since 2019, we have tracked

the rate of job openings filled internally through promotions and

job transfers, with a three-year average of approximately 4%. By

2025, our goal is to increase the rate of positions filled internally

to 10% based on a three-year average.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

& RETENTION

Increase rate of positions filled

internally to 10%* by 2025

OFF TARGET

4%* of positions

filled internally**

*3-year average

**Excludes seasonal

employees

CEO LETTER


APPENDIX



44


45

Advancing Our Culture of Safety

For Aurora Organic Dairy, taking care of our people means

promoting a safe and healthy work environment. We are focused

on continuously improving safety at every level of our operation.

Facility safety includes not only maintaining safe workplaces

for our employees, but also for our dairy cows, non-employees,

visitors and contract workers at our Company locations. The

locations we operate include our Company-owned dairy farms,

heifer farms, processing plants and our headquarters office.

We utilize an Occupational Health and Safety Management

System that aims to comply with applicable OSHA regulations

and standards. This system is designed to foster a safety culture

of continuous improvement and support the overall goal of

providing a safe workplace for all who work and visit our facilities.

Our commitment to safety starts with onboarding for all new

employees. During orientation, employees receive site-specific

safety training, followed by job-specific training. Employees

work under direct supervision until they are prepared to operate

independently. Before production employees are authorized to

work independently, they must undergo training and assessment

by subject matter experts. These experts focus on providing

training and conducting evaluations for all new hires, as well

as for current employees who are learning to operate new

equipment or are scheduled for re-evaluation in their existing

roles. These evaluations are conducted separately from the annual

performance review process and are specifically designed to

assess proficiency in operating production equipment. Developing

and maintaining standard operating procedures for our processing

plants is also part of their responsibilities.

All employees are required to undergo ongoing safety training

that is tailored to their specific roles. These trainings can include

animal handling, inspection and equipment operation, lockout

and tagout procedures, materials handling, personal protective

equipment, respirator certification, fire safety, attitude and

awareness, medical treatment, CPR and first aid, hazard reporting

and more. Additionally, milk plant employees undergo audiometric

testing to reinforce the importance of following hearing protection

protocols. All mandatory onboarding, safety and specialized

training occurs during paid work hours. To gauge the effectiveness

of training, we solicit employee feedback and use interactive,

scored quizzes for our farm staff. Ultimately, the success of

training is reflected in a reduction in injury rates.

Safety is an ongoing priority across all locations, and employees

are encouraged to report hazards, with the option to do so

anonymously via an independent hotline. Identified hazards are

addressed using the OSHA hierarchy of controls to eliminate or

reduce risks. We continuously enhance our safety protocols and

conduct regular site surveys to identify potential risks. At our farms

and milk plants, all employees are trained to actively survey their

surroundings. Some personnel conduct more formal site surveys

to routinely identify hazards. We also focus on addressing common

injuries specific to our operations. For instance, programs have

been implemented at our facilities to reduce slips, trips and falls,

which are among the most frequent workplace injuries at our

milk plants. When applicable, we also supply personal protective

equipment to employees and provide proper use training.

In 2022, to strengthen our culture of safety and strive for

continuous improvement, our processing plants introduced

employee-led safety teams across departments that meet monthly

to review incidents, near misses and safety concerns. These

teams perform safety walkthroughs, provide feedback and request

safety changes that have directly contributed to the resolution of

more than 25 safety concerns. For example, our Platteville Milk

Plant recently resurfaced workstations with non-skid flooring to

minimize slips, trips and falls.

CORE VALUE: TEAMWORK

Our team enjoys the challenge of building competitive advantages

through the uncommon integration of dairy farming and processing.


In 2023, each Company-owned farm formed volunteer safety

committees representing all areas. These committees meet

weekly to discuss safety observations, concerns and wellness

opportunities. They also conduct monthly inspections and

collaborate with administrative staff to propose proactive

solutions. This team-based approach has enhanced engagement

and communication, allowing safety issues to be identified and

addressed more promptly and effectively.

Effective communication is integral to our workplace safety

program. Safety incidents and near misses are shared across the

organization, allowing employees to be aware of potential risks.

Incidents are communicated through in-person discussions.

Time-sensitive issues are addressed during shift overlap

meetings, and monthly staff meetings are held to discuss safety

incidents and strategies for further hazard mitigation. At our

farm locations, managers use a texting system to send safety

information and safety training reminders to farm employees.

Management discusses specific safety-related incidents and

strategies to further mitigate hazards at regularly scheduled staff

meetings. Farm employees are required to participate in monthly

safety meetings, where relevant safety topics are discussed and

suggestions are openly solicited.

In the event of a safety incident, whether it results in an injury,

property damage or is a near miss, an immediate investigation

is conducted. Once the employee and scene are determined to

be safe, a member of management will walk through the area,

interview witnesses and, if possible, re-enact the incident with

the employee involved. An accident investigation report is

filed, and the hierarchy of controls is applied to prevent further

incidents. We also apply our continuous improvement strategies,

as outlined earlier, to allow our safety standards to evolve with

the circumstances.

Our commitment to workplace safety extends beyond internal

efforts. We voluntarily partner with third-party safety organizations

to conduct mock OSHA audits and review management practices.

Additionally, we have earned the Validus Worker Care certification

for our farms, emphasizing our dedication to our employees

and their safety (see page 50 for more details). Our customers

also conduct inspections of our facilities as part of their code

of conduct programs to verify that we are maintaining safe and

healthy workplaces for our employees. At both of our processing

plants, we collaborate with third-party safety consultants who

provide guidance on best practices and recommend preventative

measures. We also worked with a safety consultant and associate

professor at one of our farms, conducting a mock audit to provide

guidance on improving workplace safety and reducing risk.

We have made a formal commitment to our workplace safety

goals as part of our overall sustainability program (see pages

48–51 for more details). Likewise, we will continue to be open

and transparent in our reporting of safety performance metrics.

CEO LETTER


PLANET

APPENDIX



46


47

Safety Performance

To track our progress toward achieving workplace safety

goals, we track safety performance metrics across our farms,

processing plants and Company offices. By transparently

publishing injury rates for Aurora Organic Dairy-owned and

operated facilities, we remain accountable to our employees

and stakeholders for maintaining a safe work environment.

Safety performance is measured using OSHA recordable injury

rates per 200,000 hours worked. We report both the annual

injury rate and the three-year average rate. Our sustainability

goals track workplace safety performance using these metrics.

We are driven to maintain a farm injury rate consistently below

the dairy cattle and milk production industry average and a

processing plant injury rate below the top quartile for the fluid

milk manufacturing industry. (Should more detailed industry

data become available, we may also set a top quartile goal

for our farms.)

In 2024, our processing plants had a three-year average injury

rate of 5.6 per 200,000 hours worked. This rate was higher

than the most recent industry top quartile rate of 3.9 for fluid

milk manufacturing. After a lower-than-average injury rate in

2022, the rate increased slightly in 2023. Since then, we have

seen a decrease in our injury rate at our processing plants as

we further strengthen management’s focus on safety, continue

developing strategies to better address workplace hazards and

foster a culture where safety is second nature—supported by

initiatives like positive recognition for safe behaviors and

celebrating safety milestones. These efforts reinforce a

workplace environment where employees actively look out

for one another and take a shared responsibility for safety.

At our processing plants, the most common types of injuries

stem from slips, trips and falls, repetitive motions, cleaning

supplies and working with heavy machinery. Inattention is

a contributing factor in many of these cases. Some hazards

at our processing plants have the potential to cause

high-consequence injuries—although infrequent—with

a greater than 6-month recovery time. High-consequence

hazards include cleaning supplies, heavy machinery and

working at heights.

Our farms demonstrated a three-year average injury rate in

2024 of 4.8 per 200,000 hours worked, which was higher

than the reported industry average of 3.1 for dairy cattle and

milk production. The farms experienced an elevated injury

rate in 2022, which we have been working to address with

an increased management focus on safety. We introduced

a dedicated farm safety coordinator role to lead the

development, implementation and continuous improvement

of our safety protocols, conduct routine internal audits and

facilitate monthly employee training. Our continued investment

in farm safety has focused on tractor and loader operation,

addressing our most common types of injuries and integrating

industry standard practices into our safety culture. We believe

these efforts contributed to the lower injury rates experienced

in 2023 and 2024.

At our farms, the most common types of injuries are related

to slips, trips and falls, human-animal interaction and working

with heavy machinery. Some hazards on our farms have the

potential to cause high-consequence injuries—although

infrequent—with a greater than 6-month recovery time.

High-consequence hazards include cleaning supplies, heavy

machinery and large animals.

At Aurora Organic Dairy, we believe that one injury is one too

many. Our management philosophy recognizes that injuries

are preventable and can be addressed with more training,

awareness, supervision and cultural shifts. As part of our

commitment to each and every one of our stakeholders,

we strive to improve our Occupational Health and Safety

Management System and our overall culture of safety. For

more on how we continue to strengthen our safety culture

through initiatives like employee-led safety teams and

volunteer safety committees, please see pages 46-47.

"Safety is a responsibility we all share. By working with

third-party consultants and empowering our employeeled

safety teams, we are identifying potential hazards

and risks more effectively and improving our processes.

Most injuries are preventable, and our focus remains

on education and training, heightened awareness and

fostering a culture where safety is second nature.”

— TROY HALVERSON, PLANT MANAGER, PLATTEVILLE PROCESSING PLANT

INJURIES AT PLANTS

TOTAL OSHA

RECORDABLE

INJURIES

(Per 200,000

hours worked)

GOAL:

Injury rate* consistently lower

than top quartile of industry

*

3-year average

2024 RESULT:

5.6 injury rate* was higher than

the latest industry top quartile

rate of 3.9

HOURS WORKED 258,706 261,077 304,159 327,713 339,007 358,725 439,894 576,615 600,224 611,004 580,740 611,076 683,604

OSHA RECORDABLE INJURIES 10 14 8 5 8 11 11 30 19 19 15 23 14

HIGH CONSEQUENCE INJURIES – – – – – – 1 3 4 4 – 1 –

HIGH-CONSEQUENCE INJURY RATE – – – – – – 0.5 1 1.3 1.3 – 0.3 –

Notes: Common injuries include slips, trips and falls, repetitive motions, cleaning supplies and working with heavy machinery. In 2020, our OSHA recordable injuries include

Covid-19 cases. Our Company has experienced zero fatalities, our employees are not prone to any known occupational diseases, and we had no injuries to non-employees—

of which we are aware—in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Industry data can be found at: https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshsum.htm#14Supplemental_News_Release_Tables

3-YEAR

AVERAGE:

5.6

5.2 7.5 4.1

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

CEO LETTER


APPENDIX



48


49

WORKER CARE CERTIFICATION

Our farms are Worker Care Certified by Validus, reflecting our commitment

to our employees. This certification involves a thorough, unbiased audit

process conducted by a third party to confirm employees are legally hired,

fairly compensated, treated respectfully, work in a safe environment and

provided appropriate training. In 2024, Validus enhanced its certification

process by requiring dedicated worker care auditors to perform these

audits, further strengthening the program’s rigor.

Our farm employees are offered benefits

uncommon in U.S. agricultural operations.

These include four weeks of paid family leave,

scheduled days off and competitive health

benefits, among other offerings (see page 42

for more details).

Nationwide Safety Training

Videos for Dairy Farms

In 2022, Farmworker Justice, a nonprofit

organization dedicated to empowering migrant

and seasonal farmworkers, and OSHA, selected

one of Aurora Organic Dairy’s farms and its

employees to film their Dairy Safety Training

video, part of the Dairy Safety Training Toolkit.

The toolkit consists of a training guide, student

handbook, two fact sheets and the training video,

which focuses on the prevention of occupational

injuries and illness on dairy farms. The materials

are designed to be accessible to English, Spanish

and K’iche-speaking workers with different

levels of literacy. This initiative aimed to expand

the availability of training materials in native

languages across the U.S., with our employees

being compensated for their participation.

INJURIES AT FARMS

GOAL:

Injury rate* consistently

lower than industry average

*

3-year average

TOTAL OSHA RECORDABLE INJURIES

(Per 200,000 hours worked)


2024 RESULT:

4.8 injury rate* was higher than

the latest industry average of 3.1

7.0 6.1 6.4 5.3 4.3 6.7 4.8 6.6 4.9

5.1

6.1 4.3 4.1

HOURS WORKED 802,488 911,466 840,414 948,676 968,566 1,081,312 1,031,368 941,542 970,605 1,101,156 1,153,416 1,173,516 972,900

OSHA RECORDABLE INJURIES 28 28 27 25 21 36 25 31 24 28 35 25 20

HIGH CONSEQUENCE INJURIES – – – – – – 6 2 3 3 – – –

3-YEAR

AVERAGE:

4.8

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

CEO LETTER


PLANET

HIGH-CONSEQUENCE INJURY RATE – – – – – – 1.2 0.4 0.6 0.5 – – –

Notes: Common injuries include slips, trips and falls, human-animal interaction and working with heavy machinery. In 2020, our OSHA recordable injuries include Covid-19 cases.

Our Company has experienced zero fatalities, our employees are not prone to any known occupational diseases, and we had no injuries to non-employees—of which we are aware

—in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Industry data can be found at: https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshsum.htm#14Supplemental_News_Release_Tables

APPENDIX



50


51

Giving Back to Our Local

Communities

PHILANTHROPY, PARTNERSHIPS & SUPPORTING ORGANICS

CEO LETTER

At Aurora Organic Dairy, we have a history of engaging with the

local communities where we operate and where our employees

live and work. We source as much of our feed and supplies from

local farmers and businesses as feasible. At our dairy farms, we

have invested in long-term relationships with many of the more

than 75 independent organic farmers that grow the majority

of our feed. Over the years, we have fostered relationships with

these local suppliers, creating a positive economic impact in

the areas surrounding our dairy farms, processing plants and

offices. We believe this contributes to building diverse and

vibrant communities.

Our philanthropic efforts center around providing in-kind and

monetary support to non-profit organizations, food banks,

schools and other community institutions. Each of our dairy

farms and milk plants take the lead in directing donations within

their local communities, allowing our contributions to address

regional specific needs. When our employees donate to nonprofit

organizations, Aurora Organic Dairy continues to match their

donations, up to $500 per employee, per year. These initiatives

reflect our Company’s mission, vision and values, as we place

Texas Panhandle Wildfires –

Supporting Communities in Need

In late February 2024, a series of devastating wildfires swept

through the Texas Panhandle, with the Smokehouse Creek

Fire becoming the largest wildfire in Texas history. Fueled by

dry conditions, strong winds and downed power lines, the fire

scorched over one million acres, impacting the communities

surrounding our Coldwater Dairy Farm.

emphasis on hunger relief and nutrition; animal welfare; agricultural

education; protection of wild places and open space; organic

agriculture; climate and environmental stewardship; and supporting

communities in crises.

As our business grows, we are committed to fostering growth in the

communities we serve. In recent years, our philanthropic efforts have

largely focused on supporting local schools and food banks in the

communities where we operate. Both of our processing plants regularly

donate to local food banks, allowing nutritious food to reach those who

need it most. At our Platteville Processing Plant, employees are paid

their regular wages to volunteer at local food banks during periods of

operational downtime.

Our Columbia Milk Plant also donates their time and actively partners

with local school districts to educate students about milk production

and processing. Our team delivers age-appropriate presentations to

students across the community, from preschoolers to high schoolers.

These educational sessions not only spark curiosity but also provide

students with valuable insights into the dairy industry.

Aurora Organic Dairy supported local wildfire relief efforts with

a monetary donation to a school district directly affected by

the fires. This contribution aimed to assist in the recovery and

rebuilding process, helping restore educational services and

support for students and families in the community.

Our donation programs are directed to non-profit organizations,

food banks, schools and other qualifying institutions to support

the future of a vibrant organic dairy industry.

2022 2023 2024 DONATED

232,000 156,000 109,000 Gallons of Organic Dairy Products

70,900 3,600 3,600 Pounds of Organic Butter

$147,000 $142,000 $231,000 Cash and Scholarships

$2,910,000 $1,810,000 $1,280,000

We provide monetary and product donations, as well

as volunteer hours, to local organizations and events

in our communities.

Total Value of Donations

(based on approximate retail

value for product donations)

Mid-Missouri


PLANET

Texas

APPENDIX


52


53

Supporting the Next Generation

of Organic Dairy Experts

CEO LETTER

As a producer and processor of organic dairy products, Aurora

Organic Dairy has an opportunity to create a learning environment

that encourages future leaders to engage with the organic dairy

industry. From hosting research studies and educational tours

to offering hands-on internships, our facilities offer practical

training opportunities.

We support a variety of scholarship programs annually, for

individuals at any stage of education. We donate to scholarship

programs each year for youth through 4-H and Future Farmers

of America, and for college and graduate level students involved

in agricultural programs. We contribute approximately $20,000

annually to Colorado State University's College of Agricultural

Sciences. Since 2008, Aurora Organic Dairy has provided more

than $300,000 in funding to support student tuition and animal

welfare research.

Internships at Aurora Organic Dairy provide immersive experiences

for students. Each year, we welcome approximately 10 to 15

interns at our Company-owned facilities from around the world.

Our farm internships are available to veterinary and agriculture

students to provide them with opportunities for longer term field

work and immersive learning. Several of these interns typically join

the Company full-time. Our processing plants recruit interns who

have backgrounds in animal science, agribusiness, food science

and nutrition, biochemistry and maintenance from many of the

local universities. These opportunities often lead to permanent

roles within the Company, as well.

To honor our long-term employee, we established the Barney Little

Scholarship Fund in 2011. We annually offer this scholarship to

the children, grandchildren and immediate family members of

employees. This opportunity is funded through sponsorship of

our annual golf tournament by suppliers and other stakeholders.

Through 2024, Aurora Organic Dairy has provided approximately

$400,000 in scholarships to our employees’ family members

through this fund. We offer our employees this opportunity in

appreciation of their hard work and to encourage their families

to pursue post-high school education.

Beyond financial support and internships, our employees

contribute their expertise to the broader community. Aurora

Organic Dairy hosts tours of our Company-owned farms and

facilities, providing insight into organic agriculture, dairy

production and food processing. We also collaborate with several

universities and their veterinary and agriculture programs to

advance animal care and husbandry practices. Our employees

frequently share their knowledge at conferences and offsite

events, educating on organic dairy production and processing.

SCHOLARSHIPS

4-H and FFA

We contribute to scholarship funds and provide calves to support

local agriculture club members involved in these programs.

Colorado State University

Since 2008, we have donated more than $300,000 in funding,

in part, to support student tuition within the University’s College

of Agricultural Sciences.

Barney Little Scholarship

As of 2024, we have awarded approximately $400,000 in

scholarships to the family members of our employees through

our Barney Little Scholarship. We established this scholarship

fund to celebrate the memory of our longtime employee, Barney

Little, who spent his career dedicated to the organic dairy industry.


APPENDIX

Headquarters, Boulder, CO


54



55

CEO LETTER

OUTLOOK

People are central to the success of our

business, and we are committed to creating a

positive experience for everyone who interacts

with Aurora Organic Dairy. Our People Goals

help us stay focused on supporting employee

development and retention, promoting health

and wellness, and maintaining a safe work

environment. With the completion of our

2025 People Goals approaching, we are

reflecting on our progress and the lessons

learned. These insights will inform the next

phase of our efforts, as we continue working

to foster growth, attract and retain talent,

and strengthen programs that support

employee well-being.


APPENDIX



56


57

Building Climate

Resilience

Our reliance on nature, natural resources and a stable

climate drives our commitment to environmental

stewardship. While we have made progress to reduce

our climate impacts, we recognize the continued

need for action to protect, replenish and sustain

these natural resources.

As a vertically integrated operation with a wide scope,

we seek opportunities to reduce our climate impacts

and protect the natural resources within our supply

chain. We manage our own pastures for grazing and

Stewardship:

We care for our land, water and air,

while supporting the communities

where we are located.

fields where we grow some of the supplemental

feed for our cows. Additionally, we operate our own dairy

farms, processing plants and cold storage warehouses.

Since we manage a large portion of our supply chain,

we have greater control over those operations. This

allows us to use primary data to track climate impacts

across a significant portion of our milk’s life cycle. To

keep our data management and sustainability reporting

consistent with industry-leading standards, we work

closely with third-party sustainability experts.

Our approach emphasizes

Climate resilience

Responsible farming

decisions, supported by

science & technology

Organic & regenerative

agriculture

Protecting nature

Responsible manure

management

Greenhouse gas

reductions

Energy efficiency

& renewable energy

Water efficiency

Product packaging

Solid waste diversion

Environmental Review

ValidusCertified.com

CEO LETTER

OVERVIEW QUALITY ORGANIC DAIRY ANIMALS

PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX



58


59

Climate Change—The Big Picture

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time,

posing risks to businesses, livelihoods, and the communities where

we live and work. Its impacts—rising sea levels, biodiversity loss,

and more frequent and severe weather events—are increasingly

evident. Addressing this crisis requires action and collective

environmental responsibility.

Globally, the livestock sector is estimated to contribute 12% of

greenhouse gas emissions.¹ While the U.S. dairy sector accounts

for a relatively small share of global and domestic livestock

emissions, we believe every business must play a role in slowing

planetary warming. At Aurora Organic Dairy, we are committed to

mitigating climate risks, building resilience and working toward a

sustainable future where animals, people and communities thrive.

Climate change presents both physical and transition risks to

our business, with the potential to disrupt our operations, value

chain and financial performance across short, medium and longterm

horizons. We evaluate these risks using industry guidance,

including the recommendations from the Task Force on Climaterelated

Financial Disclosures, alongside our materiality assessment

and latest dairy industry resources. This analysis supports our

business strategy and long-term planning, considering both

business as usual and elevated climate risk scenarios, which

present varying risks to our business.

Acute physical risks like droughts, floods, tornadoes and extreme

heat can disrupt our short-term operations. We assess our

exposure as important matters arise, particularly to drought given

its potential to affect crops and pasture. To help mitigate this risk

we set a farm irrigation goal to consistently utilize variable rate

irrigation on all applicable pivots. We also maintain insurance

coverage for critical assets and conduct contingency planning.

Chronic physical risks stem from long-term shifts in climate

patterns, such as ongoing drought, rising temperatures and

changing precipitation. These shifts can strain feed supply

and increase costs. Every three years we assess water stress

using tools like the World Wildlife Fund Water Risk Filter, factoring

in regional population growth and aquifer depletion. We explore

advanced irrigation technologies where feasible, invest in

regenerative farming methods and collaborate with feed

suppliers to share management practices.

As climate regulations and market expectations evolve, we face

transition risks such as new greenhouse gas emissions policies,

carbon pricing and shifting customer demands—all of which may

increase costs. We are working with industry and supply chain

partners to assess these risks and track policy developments.

While these efforts and our sustainability goals aim to build

resilience, we recognize they do not eliminate all risks and our

business is susceptible to climate impacts. We will continue to

conduct climate scenario analyses and reassess exposure as

conditions change. We are committed to transparent, adaptive

planning that aims to protect our business and our animals,

people and planet.

1 See FAO’s Pathways towards lower emissions

https://doi.org/10.4060/cc9029en

Building Climate Resilience

The Issue :

Rising sea levels, destruction of ecosystems

and severe weather events

Farms &

Pastures

Cows

Processing

Plants

Offsetting 100% of Our

Energy Emissions for

Company-owned Farms

& Plants, Headquarters

& Raw Milk Transport

What we

are Doing:

Regenerative agriculture

Manure management

Smart irrigation technology

On-farm solar arrays

Organic feed additive

Intensive rotational grazing

Plant water recycled

Product packaging

Energy-efficient equipment

Why it

Matters:

Improves soil health

and sequesters carbon

Cycles nutrients and

increases water retention

Conserves water

Reduces greenhouse

gas emissions

Reduces enteric

methane emissions

Optimizes pasture growth


Reduces impact on

local communities

Protects our products

and reduces waste

Optimizes energy use

We support third-party carbon reduction and renewable

energy projects, with an independent third-party validation

confirming we offset 100% of our energy emissions.

More details about our work can be found on the following pages.


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX



60



61

REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE PRINCIPLES


Our Holistic, Nature-Based

Approach to Agriculture

At Aurora Organic Dairy, we take a nature-based approach to

agriculture—recognizing that nature includes all living things, along

with soil, water, climate, geology and the landscapes that shape our

planet. Biodiversity refers to the variety of species and organisms

that support healthy, resilient ecosystems, which in turn strengthen

our farms’ ability to adapt to climate change. For over 45 years, we

have aimed to align our practices with nature, managing our farms

as interconnected living systems where each practice contributes

to the quality of our milk. From building microbial life in our soils to

rotational grazing and smart irrigation, we intentionally consider

both how agriculture impacts the climate and how climate affects

our ability to grow nutritious pasture and crops for our cows.

We aim to adhere to organic and environmental regulations.

Our farming practices are guided by the U.S. Department of

Agriculture’s National Organic Program standards, which state

that producers “must maintain or improve the natural resources of

the operation." At Aurora Organic Dairy, we also apply the USDA’s

Natural Resources Conservation Service recommendations and

conservation plans to each of our farms. Their soil and wetland

conservation plans are customized to each of our fields.

Compliance is routinely verified by regulatory agencies and

third-party inspectors.

We do not use synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers as an

organic dairy producer. Instead, we enhance soil fertility by applying

manure and compost to our fields, which cycles nutrients, builds

organic matter and supports moisture retention. We use crop

rotation, cover cropping techniques and intensive rotational grazing

methods to support soil and plant health on our pasture.

Responsible farming is important not only for the quality of our

milk and the health of our dairy cows, but also for addressing

climate change and preserving our land for future generations.

Our commitment is supported by a team of agriculture and soil

science experts on staff who help balance the relationship

between our operations and the land, water and air.

We want our operations to be continuously improving and

understand that innovations rely on shared knowledge bases.

We actively collaborate with many of our organic feed suppliers,

universities and other organizations to host on-farm research

studies and trials to guide our management practices (see

page 96 for more information on our research partnerships).


Organic & Regenerative

Agriculture

Since 2021, Aurora Organic Dairy has embraced regenerative

agriculture as a natural extension of our long-standing

commitment to organic farming. Regenerative agriculture is

broadly defined as the protection and restoration of ecosystems

so they can function in ways that sustain healthy life. This

approach builds on the foundation of organic farming by

prioritizing ecological resilience, long-term soil health and the

natural systems that support animal, people and planet well-being.

Through our principles-based approach, we combine organic

and regenerative farming methods with scientific research and

data-driven practices to responsibly steward the land. We do

not use synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Instead,

we implement cover cropping, intensive rotational grazing

and no-till practices across the majority of our acres. These

practices strengthen the land’s ability to cycle nutrients, retain

water and sequester carbon—boosting both productivity and

the land’s natural resilience.

We monitor soil health metrics and microbial diversity with soil

sampling at our Company-owned farms to evaluate the impact of

our farming practices and guide adaptive management strategies.

This process allows our approach to remain grounded in results

and responsive to changing conditions on the land.

A recent study found regenerative farms that combined no-till

farming, cover crops and plant diversity for more than five years

produced crops with higher soil organic matter levels, soil

health scores and concentrations of certain vitamins, minerals

and phytochemicals. 2

In 2023, we deepened our commitment to regenerative

agriculture by joining the Climate Collaborative’s Regenerative

Transition Community of Practice—a peer-learning network

helping companies navigate the transition to regenerative supply

chains. This collaboration reflects our dedication to advancing

climate solutions.

We view our farms as living ecosystems—designed to reflect the

balance of nature. By restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity

and enhancing forage quality, we help support cow nutrition and

contribute to the production of organic milk—advancing organic

dairy farming systems that work in partnership with nature.

2 Montgomery, David R., et al. “Soil Health and Nutrient Density: Preliminary

Comparison of Regenerative and Conventional Farming.” PeerJ, vol. 10, 2022,

https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12848

62

PRINCIPLE

Armor

METHOD

Cover cropping and

crop rotation

OUTCOME

Keeps living roots in the

ground and minimizes

soil erosion and moisture

evaporation

PRINCIPLE

Intensive Rotational

Grazing

METHOD

Move herds between paddocks

on a planned basis

OUTCOME

Increases soil organic matter,

optimizes pasture growth




PRINCIPLE

Limit Disturbance

METHOD

No- or Low-till, synthetic pesticides,

herbicides or fertilizers and

responsible manure handling

OUTCOMES

Minimizes soil erosion,

promotes soil health and

cycles nutrients

PRINCIPLE

Living Roots

METHOD

Living roots in the soils as long

as possible throughout the year

OUTCOME

Cycles nutrients and

sequesters carbon

PRINCIPLE

Diversity

METHOD

Plant diversity

OUTCOME

Promotes microbial diversity and

enhances ecosystem function

PRINCIPLE

Context

METHOD

Understand the context of each

farm operation

OUTCOME

Incorporates nature and the

surrounding environment

63


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX


Nature

Protecting, replenishing and restoring nature is essential in

tackling climate change. Nature loss, including deforestation,

threatens the availability and quality of natural resources, places

added strain on local communities that depend on those forests,

and increases our vulnerability to climate change. When nature

is degraded or destroyed, biodiversity declines—species lose

their habitats, ecosystems become less resilient and the delicate

balance that sustains life begins to unravel.

Our organic and regenerative agriculture practices aim to increase

biodiversity and microbial activity, protect water resources and

improve soil health on our Company-owned farms, which exclude

the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. At our

Company-owned farms we are measuring microbial activity in

the soil to monitor the impacts of our management practices.

To address deforestation in our supply chain for forest-risk

commodities—including timber-based packaging and embedded

organic soy—we work with suppliers to adopt sustainable

sourcing practices and aim to prevent further habitat loss.

Validus Certified for

Environmental Standards

Since 2021, our farms have maintained the Validus Environmental

Certification, further strengthening our commitment to

environmental stewardship. Validus conducts environmental

certification audits during the same audits for Animal Welfare

certification at each of our farms. Each audit includes

an inspection of our facilities, protocols and

records. Inspectors score each of our farms

on more than 45 environmental metrics,

including: environmental management of

facilities, emergency action planning, response

and prevention, erosion prevention, manure

management and training. The Validus Environmental

program is based on the Good Environmental Livestock Production

Practices, a set of standards verified and certified by the American

National Standards Institute. An appropriate mix of industry,

academia and public were consulted in developing the American

National Standards Institute certification standard.

Responsible Manure Management

In our operations, our cows’ manure is a resource that we use to

support nutrient cycling, boost soil organic matter in our fields

and increase water retention (see page 62 to learn more about

our holistic, nature-based approach to agriculture). Nearly all

of our manure is applied across the more than 17,000 acres of

pasture and crop fields surrounding our facilities. Approximately

75% of our manure is managed using composting principles

before application, while the majority of the remaining 25% is

applied directly to fields. A small portion passes through our

lagoons before being used to irrigate our pastures.

When not managed responsibly, livestock manure can

contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient runoff and soil

degradation, both directly and indirectly affecting the climate.

To address these challenges, we employ responsible manure

management practices. Manure is vacuumed from our freestall

barns, rather than being flushed into lagoons, which conserves

water and reduces methane emissions since lagoons are a

significant source of methane. The vacuumed manure is mixed

with straw, turned regularly and aged. Once the aged manure

is incorporated into our fields, it enriches the soil and nourishes

crops and pastures for our cows as compost.

To limit methane emissions, we minimize the amount of

manure entering our lagoons. The small amount of manure that

is flushed from our milking parlors undergoes separation before

reaching our lagoon at each farm. The separated manure is

handled using composting principles and repurposed for bedding

and soil fertility. The lagoon water and nutrients are pumped to

irrigation pivots to be recycled back to surrounding pastures.

Developed with guidance from our in-house soil scientists,

these practices comply with environmental regulations in

Colorado and Texas. Through careful manure management,

we mitigate negative environmental impacts, enhance soil

fertility and improve pasture yields. We do this without the

use of synthetic fertilizers.


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX



64


65

2024 Life Cycle Assessment

of AOD Products

CROP GROWING & TRANSPORT

25 %

OF TOTAL GHG EMISSIONS

3.5 kg CO 2 e


FARMS & PASTURES*

6 %

0.9 kg CO 2 e

Methodology for

Calculating Greenhouse

Gas Emissions

In 2008 we completed our first life cycle assessment in collaboration

with the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems

and since then we have annually tracked these calculations which

include the energy and greenhouse gas footprint of each product

we produce. Our detailed and data centered life cycle assessment

provides a clear picture of the energy used and emissions produced

COWS

33 %

4.6 kg CO 2 e

RAW MILK TRANSPORT*

5 %

0.7 kg CO 2 e

at each stage in our milk’s life cycle from crop production, dairy

operations, milk transportation and dairy processing, to retailers,

consumers and end-of-life processes. Aurora Organic Dairy’s

vertically integrated organic dairy model provides primary data

across large sections of our milk’s life cycle, giving us greater

confidence in the accuracy of our calculations.

With guidance from external sustainability experts and researchers

from the University of Michigan, Aurora Organic Dairy created a

custom tool to track and calculate our greenhouse gas emissions.

We rely on industry standards to determine each life cycle stage’s

emissions and our calculation methodology aligns with United

Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change protocols

PLANT & COLD STORAGE*

11 %

1.6 kg CO 2 e

GHG GOAL

BOUNDARY

2025 GOAL 2024 RESULT**

30 % 29 %

per kg of product vs. 2012 baseline

3-year average. Denominator

excludes water weight.

DISTRIBUTION

11 %

1.5 kg CO2 e

for calculating agricultural emissions. We update our life cycle

assessment with the most recent datasets and factors to align with

industry standards and global reporting methodologies. Historical

restatements are discussed in the Appendix, page 86.

Our life cycle assessment includes all Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse

gases. For our operations, this includes CO 2 , CH 4 , NO 2 and

HFCs. PFCs, SF 6 and NF 3 were either not applicable or had a

negligible impact.

We currently focus our greenhouse gas goal boundary on the life

cycle stages over which we have significant control. These stages

include the emissions from our dairy cows, calves and heifers,

RETAIL & CONSUMER

9 %

1.3 kg CO2 e

ONE Kg OF PRODUCT

100 %

OF TOTAL GHG EMISSIONS

14.1 kg CO 2 e*

excluding water weight

For life cycle stages within our GHG goal boundary, we mostly use primary

data from our business operations. Remaining life cycle stages are calculated

using a combination of both primary and secondary data.

This LCA was conducted in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044

standards, and the methodologies for estimating GHG emissions from cows

and farm operations were based on the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National

Greenhouse Gas Inventories. ISO recognizes that LCAs may use different

system boundaries, allocation procedures, data sources and quality, and

impact assessment methods. These differences may affect the results. For

this reason, the ISO 14044 standard requires an evaluation of the system

equivalence of methodologies before comparing with results from other LCAs.

* Performance results exclude supported third-party carbon reduction and

renewable energy projects to offset GHG emissions for Company-owned farms

and processing plants, headquarters office and all raw milk transportation to

our Company-owned processing plants.

** Performance result includes supported third-party carbon reduction and

renewable energy projects to offset GHG emissions for Company-owned farms

and processing plants, headquarters office and all raw milk transportation to

our Company-owned processing plants for 2022, 2023 and 2024.

dairy farms, raw milk transportation, milk processing, cold

storage and outbound distribution.

Our life cycle assessment calculations account for the

additional ingredients in our products beyond white fluid milk.

Our methodology normalizes emissions per kilogram of product,

excluding water weight, which allows us to include 100% of our

products in these calculations. By 2025, our goal is to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions by 30% versus our 2012 baseline,

when measured on a three-year average basis. As we enter the

final phase of this goal, we begin to define new ambitions that

build upon this foundation. The Company's performance and

future outlook can be found on the following pages.


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX


66


67

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

By 2025, Aurora Organic Dairy’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions 30% per kilogram of product, excluding water weight,

versus our 2012 baseline. As a direct result of our annual goal to

offset 100% of our energy emissions (see page 70 for details), we

have achieved a 29% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per

kilogram of product. This reduction was also supported by volumerelated

efficiencies. Compared to 2012, business volumes have

outpaced greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption at

farms and processing plants (see page 73 for more on our energy

intensity goal). Since opening in 2019, our Columbia Milk Plant

has enabled additional reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

by improving milk distribution efficiency.

Aurora Organic Dairy has a history of supporting research and

working with industry experts to explore solutions as part of our

strategy to reduce enteric methane emissions. 3 Enteric methane

is responsible for more than 45% of the greenhouse gas emissions

within our goal boundary. In 2023, we introduced an organic feed

VERIFIED ENTERIC METHANE

EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS

In 2023, we introduced an essential oil organic

feed additive across our Company-owned farms,

estimated to reduce enteric methane emissions

approximately 8% in our dairy cows. This initiative

builds on our peer-reviewed research with The Ohio

State University, along with findings from several

peer-reviewed studies. These studies consistently

demonstrate the additive’s ability to reduce enteric

methane emissions without affecting milk quality

and confirm that the rumen does not adapt to the

additive over time. To enhance credibility with our

stakeholders, our 2023 emissions reductions from

the feed additive were verified by a third party.

We continue to integrate this organic additive into

our dairy cows’ diets annually to reduce enteric

emissions. Feed additives are typically used on

dairy farms and are highly regulated to protect

human and animal health.

additive across our Company-owned farms to reduce enteric

methane emissions from our dairy cows, with the results

verified by a third party, as part of our progress toward our

greenhouse gas goal.

While these reductions and advancements are encouraging,

we recognize there is still work to be done. Simple solutions are

not always readily available. Greenhouse gas reduction projects

must not only deliver meaningful results, but they must also be

economically feasible and in compliance with organic regulations.

Aurora Organic Dairy will continue to seek solutions across our

operations to further reduce our greenhouse gas footprint and

continue to partner with universities and industry experts to

support advancements and innovative technologies.

3

Inside the digestion system of cows, bacteria break down carbohydrates in

the feed. The rumen—part of the cow’s digestive system—supports microbial

fermentation, which allows ruminants the ability to digest cellulose. Methane

gas (CH 4

) is released as a natural by-product of this digestion.


1

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

GOAL:

Reduce GHGs 30%

by 2025 1

KG CO 2

e PER KG OF PRODUCT. DENOMINATOR EXCLUDES WATER WEIGHT

2024 RESULT:

29 %

3-year average vs. 2012 baseline

Beginning in 2019, we supported third-party carbon reduction and renewable energy projects to offset GHG emissions for Company-owned farms and processing plants,

headquarters office and all raw milk transportation to our Company-owned processing plants, which are included in our performance results through 2024.

3-YEAR

AVERAGE:

7.6

10.7 10.5 10.0 9.9 9.7 9.5 9.4 8.0 7.5 7.5 7.7 7.5 7.6

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX



68


69

Offsetting Energy Emissions

Energy is required at every stage of our products’ life cycle—from

operating the farm equipment needed to grow feed, milk our cows,

and process and pasteurize our milk, to transporting pallets of

finished goods to our customers and recycling empty milk cartons.

Our consumption of energy produces greenhouse gas emissions and

other air pollutants when electricity is generated and when fuels,

such as natural gas, diesel, propane and gasoline are combusted.

The extraction processes related to fuel, including mining and

drilling, can adversely affect land, water and air, as well as human

and animal health. Energy represents a significant business

expense for Aurora Organic Dairy. By improving energy efficiency

and transitioning to cleaner energy sources, we not only reduce our

climate impacts and help protect natural resources but also support

our long-term business success.

To take our commitment to clean energy a step further, beginning in

2019 Aurora Organic Dairy started purchasing Renewable Energy

Certificates in a quantity equal to our electricity consumption. We

also purchase enough Verified Emission Reductions to match the

carbon emissions associated with our fuel consumption. These

instruments allow us to claim the renewable energy and carbon

reduction benefits from specific, verified third-party projects,

such as wind farms, solar farms and other nature-based solutions.

By purchasing Renewable Energy Credits and Verified Emission

Reductions from certified independent agencies like Green-e

Energy and Climate Action Reserve, we support renewable energy

and carbon reduction projects while confirming the environmental

benefits are properly registered and claimed by only one purchaser.

Since 2020, Aurora Organic Dairy has achieved its annual goal

to offset 100% of our energy emissions. This sustainability goal

encompasses the areas of our supply chain under our direct

control, including our Company-owned farms and processing

plants, headquarters office and all raw milk transportation to our

Company-owned processing plants. To promote accountability

to our stakeholders, we have voluntarily sought an independent,

third-party validation to confirm that we offset 100% of our energy

emissions (see page 97 for the verification letter).

Through various groups, we connect with environmentally conscious

organizations who are committed to a more sustainable future. By

purchasing green power through Renewable Energy Certificates

at levels that meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s

requirements for their Green Power Partnership, we have become

part of a network of organizations and communities who consume

green power to reduce the risks

associated with climate change.

As a member of RE100, a global

partnership of companies striving

for 100% renewable electricity in

their operations, we engage with

other members driving renewable energy adoption. We engage with

the Organic Trade Association Sustainability Council, a group of

organic producers committed to strengthening the organic sector’s

voice in sustainability issues and climate policy. Additionally,

we are a member of the International Dairy Foods Association’s

Sustainability Group, which supports dairy companies in balancing

the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability

throughout their operations.

We continue to explore on-site generation opportunities at our farms

and processing plants as part of our support of renewable energy

technology. Near the end of 2024, we installed solar arrays at our

Pepper Dairy Farm in Dublin, Texas, which are estimated to generate

electricity equivalent to nearly 25% of the electricity consumed at

this location. The existing solar arrays at our High Plains and High

Ridge dairies in Colorado produce electricity equivalent to nearly

35% and 100% of the electricity consumed, respectively, at each

dairy. As part of our interconnection agreement in Colorado, we are

required to sell the Renewable Energy Credits we generate on-site to

our local utility, Xcel Energy, which helps them reach their renewable

energy goals. We then purchase “replacement Renewable Energy

Certificates” to cover the electricity generated by these projects in

Colorado. Our annual goal to offset 100% of energy emissions for

our Company-owned farms and processing plants, headquarters

and raw milk transportation to Company-owned processing plants

requires a combination of on-site generation, Renewable Energy

Credits and Verified Emission Reductions.

"With the installation of solar arrays at our Pepper Dairy Farm

in 2024, we continue to support on-site energy generation as

part of our broader commitment to offset 100% of our energy

emissions at our Company-owned locations and for raw milk

transport, helping reduce our contribution to climate change

and supporting clean energy technologies."

— CRAIG EDWARDS, VICE PRESIDENT OF FARM SERVICES

OFFSETTING ENERGY

EMISSIONS

100% by 2020 for Company-owned farms

and processing plants, headquarters

office and all raw milk transportation to

our Company-owned processing plants

ACCOMPLISHED

Annually since 2020, we have

supported third-party carbon reduction

and renewable energy projects, with

an independent third-party validation

confirming that we offset 100% of our

energy emissions


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX



70


71

Energy Efficiency

Our energy efficiency goal reflects Aurora Organic Dairy’s ongoing

efforts to optimize energy use. We focus on minimizing the use

of electricity and fuels—including natural gas, diesel, propane

and gasoline—across our Company-owned farms and processing

plants. We calculate our total energy consumption by accounting

for all these sources. By leveraging our access to primary data and

maintaining internal monitoring processes, we build accuracy and

confidence into our energy consumption calculations.

Since 2012, which serves as our baseline year, energy

consumption has increased on an absolute basis at our Companyowned

farms and processing plants due to the growth of our

business. To take growth into consideration, we normalize

energy consumption per half gallon equivalent of product when

establishing goals and reporting outcomes.

In 2024, our three-year average normalized energy consumption

was 4.3 megajoules per half gallon equivalent of product. During

the reporting period, our absolute energy consumption per half

gallon equivalent of product fluctuated—increasing in 2022 and

2024. In 2022 this was slightly driven by additional on-site farm

operations, and in 2024 this was primarily driven by the rampup

phase of our processing plant expansion. Throughout the

reporting period, energy optimization efforts at the farms included

equipment upgrades, such as the installation of variable speed

fans and variable speed irrigation pumps at our High Plains Dairy

Farms. Our processing plants also continued to focus on efficiency

improvements, including the installation of more energy efficient

compressors and LED lighting at our Platteville Processing Plant.

1

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

GOAL:

Reduce energy

consumption

15% by 2025 1

MEGAJOULES PER HALF GALLON EQUIVALENT OF PRODUCT

Starting in 2019, data for our Columbia Milk Plant has been included in our performance results.

In future years we expect our normalized energy consumption

to decline as our processing plants increase volumes and as we

continue to drive greater employee awareness and education

around energy conservation. To support this effort, we developed

an energy awareness presentation, as part of our Sustainability

101 Curriculum, to encourage employee participation in

conservation initiatives, and in 2024, each Company-owned

farm received this training.

2024 ENERGY CONSUMPTION (% of total MJ)

2024 RESULT:

5%


Processing Plant

& Cold Storage

Dairy Farms

& Heifer Raising

Electricity 17% 6%

Natural Gas 51% 12%

Diesel 0% 11%

Propane 0% 2%

Gasoline 0% 1%

Total 68% 32%

Corporate headquarters accounts for <1% of energy consumed.

3-YEAR

AVERAGE:

4.3

4.6 4.6 4.0 3.6 3.9 3.8 3.5 4.4 4.0 4.0 4.3 4.1 4.5

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX



72


73

Water Uses & Availability

Safe, quality water is indispensable to human health, nature and

our operational success. As stewards of this resource, we strive to

protect water resources for future generations. With the exception

of our processing plant in Columbia, Missouri, all Company-owned

facilities are situated in regions identified as water-stressed by the

WWF Water Risk Filter.

In Colorado, where we manage six farms and a processing plant, the

increasing demand for water presents a climate-related challenge

to our operations. The region has experienced population growth

in recent years, a trend that is projected to persist in the future.

This growth intensifies competition for water resources among

agricultural producers, industries and local municipalities. We

recognize that managing our water usage responsibly is not

only important for the sustainability of our business but also

reflects our commitment to being a conscientious member of

the broader community.

Our operations also face additional water-related pressures due

to the stress on the Ogallala Aquifer and the anticipated rise in

frequency and severity of droughts, as projected by the National

Center for Atmospheric Research. Water is a material topic for our

Company, and as such, our senior leadership has set goals to more

efficiently use this invaluable resource across our dairy farms and

processing plants.

Variable Rate Irrigation

We strive to maximize the utility of water. To help do this, we employ

several techniques to reuse water throughout our system. Water at

our farms is used multiple times before flowing to our lagoons, where

it is used once more post-lagoon. Since irrigation accounts for the

vast majority of our water use, our farm water efficiency efforts have

focused on irrigation in recent years.

Since 2017, we have utilized smart irrigation technology to

deliver the right amount of water to the right places. Variable rate

irrigation technology allows us to remotely change the speed of

our irrigation pivots as they move through our fields using tablets

or smart phones. For instance, we can program pivots to move

quickly over areas that do not require watering, like cow lanes, and

to move slowly in areas with greater water needs. We combine this

smart irrigation technology with information from soil moisture

probes, weather stations and satellite-enabled crop health reports

to create prescriptions for each field. This allows us to direct the

pivot to deliver a specific quantity of water to each ‘degree’ of a

360-degree circular field. In comparison to fields that use normal

irrigation practices, we have reduced water consumption by several

percentage points on fields that use a variable rate irrigation

technology prescription, without sacrificing crop yields.

Variable rate irrigation technology is installed on 100% of applicable

pivots, companywide. At our High Plains Dairy Farms, where our soil

scientists can directly manage variable rate irrigation operations,

this technology is nearly fully utilized, with more limited use at our

other locations. We are developing management capacity and

strategies at our other farms to further expand variable rate irrigation

to make the best use of this technology. For example, we have

created a variable rate irrigation training video for dairy managers

and supervisors. This resource allows teams to monitor and adjust

pivots in real-time, streamlining communication across operations.

Advances in Irrigation Technology

We actively monitor advancements in irrigation technologies and

implement solutions that align with our business goals and existing

conservation efforts. At our Company-owned farms, we have

installed efficient nozzles that utilize specialized stream patterns

to reduce evaporation and improve irrigation precision. We also are

examining the opportunity and infrastructure investments required

to irrigate more acres during the nighttime and cooler hours of

the day in summer months. Shifting irrigation away from the hot,

mid-day time periods will reduce the overall evaporative losses and

increase total utilization. This requires infrastructure modifications

to deliver increased volumes of water during an abbreviated

application window each day.

WATER USES & SOURCES

USES:

SOURCES:

Processing Plant 3%

Municipal 7%

FARM IRRIGATION

Consistently utilize variable rate

irrigation on all applicable pivots

during 100% of the growing season

OFF TARGET

75% utilization

Cows & Facilities 9%

Well (Aquifer) 33%

Irrigation 88%

Surface (Snowmelt) 60%

Note: Graph represents Company-owned farms and processing plants


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX



74



75



76

Water Efficiency

At Aurora Organic Dairy, we are working toward our 2025 goal of

reducing water consumption at our processing plants by 20% per

half gallon equivalent of product, relative to our 2012 baseline.

In 2024, our three-year average normalized water consumption

was 0.15 gallons per half gallon equivalent of product. During

the reporting period, water consumption at our processing plants

grew faster than product volumes. In 2024, this increase was

primarily driven by the ramp-up phase of our processing plant

expansion. In the future, we expect our water consumption per

half gallon equivalent of product produced to continue to decline

as we process greater volumes and continue to promote water

conservation, education and awareness at all levels of the Company.

1

2

PROCESSING PLANT WATER CONSUMPTION

GOAL:

Reduce water

consumption

20% by 2025 1,2

GALLONS OF WATER PER HALF GALLON EQUIVALENT OF PRODUCT

79% of Processing Water Returned

Both of our milk plants purchase water from local municipalities

where they are located. At both of our milk plants, we treat and

return approximately 79% of the water we withdraw. This treated

water can then be recycled for future use in both areas surrounding

our processing plants. On-site effluent pretreatment facilities at our

Platteville Processing Plant pretreat approximately 80% of their

water use, and similar facilities pretreat 78% of the water used at

our Columbia Milk Plant. This process allows the returned water

to meet or exceed local sanitation standards to minimize organic

materials and suspended solids. A smaller portion of water is

unreturnable because of evaporation in our cooling systems, steam

from pasteurization or routine employee use during daily operations.

2024 RESULT

32 %


The sum of all water that has been withdrawn and has evaporated, transpired, or been consumed by humans and is therefore not released back to a third party

over the course of the reporting period.

Starting in 2019, data for our Columbia Processing Plant has been included in our performance results.

3-YEAR

AVERAGE:

0.15

0.22 0.27 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.14 0.12 0.15 0.14 0.11 0.11 0.14 0.19

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024



77


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX

Product Packaging

Selecting packaging for our products requires balancing the need

for food safety and quality with the responsibility to reduce the

environmental impact of the packaging. By preserving product

integrity, dairy packaging plays a role in preventing food waste

and protecting consumer health. Most of our milk is packaged

in half gallon cartons made from paperboard with a PE coating.

The remainder of our products are packaged in HDPE gallon

jugs and PET small bottles. We recognize that plastic pollution

is a global issue, and we are committed to collaborating with our

suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of our packaging

to the greatest extent possible.

To address deforestation concerns associated with paper-based

packaging, we aim to source our milk and butter cartons, as well

as our corrugated cases, from suppliers who use fibers from

North American forests. These forests are certified or controlled

by Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Forest Stewardship Council or

Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, confirming

they are managed responsibly. On average, our corrugated cases

contain 29% post-consumer recycled material. The wood pallets

we use to ship our milk are repaired and reused approximately

PACKAGING EXAMPLES

GALLON JUG

30 times. Using this pallet material for as long as physically

feasible helps extend the pallet’s lifecycle and reduces the

need for replacement wood.

We continue to research opportunities to incorporate postconsumer

recycled content in our gallon jugs and small bottles,

which could reduce our virgin plastic consumption and reduce

our greenhouse gas emissions. Availability, consistency and cost

present key considerations for incorporating post-consumer

recycled content into our gallon jugs and small bottles. Most

of our packaging, including our HDPE jugs, PET small bottles,

paperboard cartons, paperboard boxes and corrugated cases are

considered widely recyclable, with over 60% of U.S. households

having access to recycling programs for these materials.

In addition to recycled plastics, we also explore opportunities

to incorporate lower-impact packaging options. We partner

with external sustainability consultants to carefully assess the

environmental impacts of various packaging solutions, weighing

these findings against factors like operational feasibility, product

quality, supply availability and cost.

Widely recyclable HDPE. We are currently testing the feasibility of incorporating post-consumer

recycled HDPE.

GABLE TOP CARTON

Widely recyclable packaging that is made with fibers sourced from North American forests certified or

controlled by Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Forest Stewardship Council or Program for the Endorsement

of Forest Certification.

SMALL BOTTLE

Widely recyclable PET. We are currently researching opportunities to incorporate post-consumer recycled

PET, and to enhance the recyclability of the shrink label. The plastic film around a case of small bottles can

be recycled at many major grocers and retailers across the U.S.

BUTTER CARTON

Widely recyclable packaging that is made with fibers sourced from forests certified or controlled by

Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

CORRUGATED CASES AND TRAYS

Widely recyclable and recycled, and containing approximately 29% post-consumer recycled content.

Paperboard fibers are primarily sourced from North American forests. These forests are certified or controlled

by Sustainable Forestry Initiative or Forest Stewardship Council.

A CIRCULAR SOLUTION FOR UPSTREAM

TERTIARY PACKAGING

Our Columbia Processing Plant is partnering with

the University of Missouri and National Science

Foundation to divert plastics from municipal waste

streams and reuse them as a fortifying additive in

local asphalt pavement projects. The University of

Missouri’s Tiger Plast project converts a percentage

of our Columbia Milk Plant’s PE film and bag waste—

used to secure incoming packaging materials—into

durable road material. As collection expands, we

anticipate an increase in our solid waste diversion

rate. By supporting these kinds of solutions, we are

contributing to research that explores scalable,

circular applications for plastics.


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX

Columbia, MO


78


79

Solid Waste Diversion

Reducing solid waste in our daily operations and identifying

diversion opportunities, such as through recycling and reuse,

are important steps toward creating a more circular economy

and advancing our stewardship commitment. Our goal by 2025

is to divert 25% of farm solid waste and 75% of processing

plant solid waste from disposal methods or landfilling. To work

toward these targets, our farms and processing plants focus on

improving on-site sorting, providing staff training and pursuing

continuous improvement. When feasible, we also collaborate with

vendors to recover various materials through reuse or recycling

services. To promote compliance with vendor agreements and

other contractual obligations, our operations teams conduct site

visits as necessary. Solid waste data is regularly collected and

monitored at both farms and processing plants.

The solid waste streams at our processing plants include

corrugated cardboard; office paper; metal; plastic stretch wrap;

wood pallets; plastic barrels; plastic from our gallon jugs and

small bottles; half gallon cartons, gallon jugs and small bottles

containing milk residue; and biosolids from our on-site effluent

pretreatment facilities. Although our 2024 processing plants’

solid waste diversion rate decreased, we anticipate improvements

as operations normalize.

A challenge in advancing our processing plants' diversion efforts

is the half gallon cartons, gallon jugs and small bottles with

milk residue that cannot be recycled or reused. The residue

contaminates the containers to the point that most vendors will

SOLID WASTE DIVERSION RATE AT PROCESSING PLANTS

GOAL:

Divert 75% of solid waste


DIVERSION OF LANDFILL WASTE

not accept them in bulk. These containers represent a notable

portion of the solid waste sent to landfills at both processing

plants. However, this waste stream cannot be eliminated due

to the need to make adjustments related to customer ordering

patterns. We continue to explore potential recovery methods

to reuse or recycle these containers with milk residue.

At our farms, solid waste streams include packaging, paper,

corrugated boxes, gloves, totes, filter socks, medical supplies,

bottles, twine, silage plastic, milking inflations, metal and wood

pallets. Progress toward our farm solid waste diversion goal

continues to be off target because of their remote locations and

the complexity of handling diverse waste streams. At most of

our farm locations, diversion options are extremely limited or

non-existent due to the lack of accessible service providers.

We actively engage with members of the community, county

and employees to find reliable solutions for these locations.

Our farms’ recycling efforts have improved since the installation

of a baler and compactor in 2021 at two locations to support

cardboard recycling. Although the farm diversion rate declined

in 2023, the 2024 increase reflects broader material diversion

and farm-specific reuse projects. For example, our High Plains

Dairy Farms began reusing and repurposing wooden pallets as

windbreakers for calves and heifers—diverting more than 350

pallets from the landfill. To further support these efforts, all farm

locations also participated in solid waste diversion training in

2024 as part of our Sustainability 101 Curriculum.

2024 RESULT:

69 %

3-year average

3-YEAR

AVERAGE:

69%

71% 73% 62%

2022 2023 2024


SOLID WASTE DIVERSION RATE AT FARMS

GOAL:

DIVERSION OF LANDFILL WASTE

5%

2022 2023

2024 FARM & PLANT SOLID WASTE

(Metric Tons)

PLANTS

LANDFILLED

1,373

FARMS

LANDFILLED

727

PLANTS

REUSE

104

FARMS

RECYCLE

47

3-YEAR

AVERAGE:

6%

2% 11%

2024

FARMS

REUSE

45

PLANTS

RECYCLE

2,141

Data, disposal and recovery methods are based on information from waste disposal

contractors. Waste is non-hazardous.

2024 RESULT:

Divert 25% of solid waste

6 %


3-year average


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX


80


81

OUTLOOK

Our Planet Goals guide us through 2025, providing

a roadmap for climate action and environmentally

conscious initiatives. As these goals near

completion, we recognize the need to set new

targets that build on this foundation and drive

resilience while helping to restore environmental

balance. Our path forward will rely on supportive

legislation that reduces barriers to renewable

energy markets, incentives that encourage

agricultural innovation to promote soil health,

and collaborative partnerships to advance

economically feasible technologies that align

with organic regulations and deliver meaningful

greenhouse gas emissions reductions.


PEOPLE PLANET

APPENDIX



82


83

Appendix

The following section contains additional

details about our organization and our

approach to sustainability reporting.

In this section

Company details & reporting

practices

Materiality & stakeholder

engagement

Sustainability governance

& strategy

GRI & TCFD indices

CEO LETTER


PLANET

APPENDIX



84


85

APPENDIX

Company Details &

Reporting Practices

Aurora Organic Dairy is a leading provider of private brand organic

dairy products in the U.S. As of March 2025, we had approximately

860 employees across the organization. Full-time employees make up

nearly 100% of our workforce. Occasionally, we hire temporary help on

a short-term basis, primarily at our headquarters office. Our operations

are managed in two wholly owned subsidiaries: Aurora Organic Farms,

Inc. and Aurora Organic Dairy Corp.

Aurora Organic Farms includes farming operations equipped with

ten individual milking parlors, as well as three heifer-raising farms.

We operate a heifer-raising facility at the Pepper Dairy Farm, and

we added heifer-raising facilities at our Coldwater Dairy Farm

in Stratford, Texas and in Holyoke, Colorado in 2020 and 2021,

respectively. In 2020 and 2022, we installed robotic milking parlors

at our Platteville Dairy Farm and Pepper Dairy Farm, respectively.

Pepper Dairy Farm was the first in the U.S. to adopt VMS Batch

Milking as part of its robotic milking parlor.

Aurora Organic Dairy Corp. includes our sales, logistics and processing

operations. We operate two milk processing facilities in Platteville,

Colorado, and Columbia, Missouri. Our Company headquarters is in

Boulder, Colorado (see AOD Locations map, pages 6 and 7). As part of

our companywide operations, we take protective measures to prevent

unauthorized access to information systems.

As a privately held Company, we elect not to disclose some financial

and sales growth details. In general, our net revenue and sales volumes

continue to increase versus prior year results due to continued growth

in overall consumer demand for our dairy products.

We align our sustainability analysis, goal setting and reporting

with global and U.S. sustainability reporting standards and dairy

sustainability frameworks. To achieve our objective of continuous

improvement in sustainability reporting, we collaborate with

sustainability consultants who have expertise in dairy farming and

processing industries.

We have published sustainability reports previously in 2013, 2015,

2017, 2019 and 2022. Considering we take a long-term outlook on our

sustainability progress, in 2022 we began publishing our sustainability

report every three years. We update our progress toward sustainability

goals annually on our website to provide transparent and balanced

reporting on material topics. Stakeholders can assess the effectiveness

of our corporate governance and approach to sustainability as it

relates to climate and social considerations. We work with outside

sustainability experts who review that our reporting methods

reflect industry standards. They also confirm that our approach to

sustainability planning and reporting references the Global Reporting

Initiative Standards, the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial

Disclosures recommendation guidance and other industry standards.

Since we published our prior report in 2022, we have restated certain

reported metrics, which includes updating eGRID factors to reflect the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's most recent greenhouse gas

emissions data for the electricity grids in which we operate.

While these restatements are immaterial, they reflect improvements

in data gathering and calculation methodologies related to reported

greenhouse gas emissions and energy performance results. To promote

transparency, we also continue to provide annual performance results.

For reference, our annual performance results can be found at:

https://www.auroraorganic.com/organic-integrity/

The content of this report was developed by Aurora Organic Dairy

management with reference to GRI’s 2021 Universal Standards

Reporting Principles. The University of Michigan’s Center for

Sustainable Systems’ custom life cycle assessment of our milk largely

informed our completeness. Additionally, our external sustainability

advisors, who specialize in providing guidance to companies in the

dairy farming and milk processing industries, provided insight

around comparability, completeness and sustainability context.

Our Sustainability Department has also developed expertise in

these principles.


APPENDIX


CEO LETTER PEOPLE

OVERVIEW QUALITY ORGANIC DAIRY ANIMALS PLANET

APPENDIX


86


87

APPENDIX

Materiality & Stakeholder

Engagement

Our material topic determination process was informed by

a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to stakeholder

engagement and inclusiveness. Our Core stakeholders are our

employees and our dairy cows, as these two groups are critical to

our success. Our Tier 1 stakeholders include: consumers of organic

dairy products, our investors, regulators, retail customers and our

suppliers. Stakeholders that fall within our Tier 2 group include:

local communities, nongovernmental organizations, science

and research groups, and trade and industry groups. These Tier

2 stakeholders are important to our business, but we may not

directly interact with them on a regular basis.

Our stakeholder groups were determined by our Sustainability

Steering Committee. The primary factor in each group’s selection

and segmentation was the role they play in our current operations

and future success. While each of these groups is important to our

business, the Core and Tier 1 stakeholders were deemed to have

the greatest impact on our future success.

In 2015, we developed a formal stakeholder engagement process.

This included conducting a comprehensive materiality assessment

with our Sustainability Steering Committee and representatives

from our Tier 1 stakeholder groups. First, we reviewed GRI topics,

the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Dairy Survey, and

the Stewardship and Sustainability Guide for U.S. Dairy 2013 to

identify an original list of 55 potential topics. Nonrelevant areas

were eliminated, and we narrowed our original list to 33 topics that

were potentially important to our business. Then, after reviewing

results from our Employee Opinion Surveys, and with guidance

from third-party sustainability experts, our Sustainability Steering

Committee further refined the list to the 20 most important topics

regarding environmental, social and economic impacts—both

inside and outside the Company.

We conducted telephone, electronic and in-person surveys with

more than 30 of our Tier 1 stakeholder organizations. Tier 1

stakeholders were asked to rank these 20 topics based on how

each topic affected their decision-making processes when working

with Aurora Organic Dairy. The results of these stakeholder

assessments are detailed in the table on page 90.

For Core and Tier 1 stakeholders that were not a part of our direct

materiality determination process, we reviewed various materials

and sought expert feedback. We used results from our Employee

Opinion Surveys to determine what is most important to our

employees. We also reviewed consumer research to determine

motivations for organic dairy consumption. We included cows

in our Core stakeholder group because our business success

depends on the health of our animals. To better understand

topics most pertinent to our cows, we consulted with our

on-staff veterinarians and animal care employees.

Although several key stakeholders in the Regulatory group were

directly surveyed as part of the materiality determination process,

we also continually receive feedback on our operations and

information on topics that are most important to them as they

audit our facilities. Our Regulatory group includes organizations

responsible for supporting our facilities in meeting the many laws

and regulations for organic dairy production and processing.

For example, the Colorado Department of Public Health and

Environment oversees our Platteville Milk Plant and visits our

facility routinely for audits and inspections. Our Regulatory group

also includes organizations that support our Company as we work

with various regulatory agencies in the organic dairy sector.

Through our stakeholder engagement efforts and materiality

determination process, we identified 20 material topics. These are

the topics that define the content of this report (see list on page

91). Our vertical integration allows direct access to primary data

related to the material topics. As such, the majority of our efforts

are focused on the parts of our supply chain where we have direct

APPENDIX

influence. In the longer term, we plan to more closely engage with

our various supply chain relationships to have a greater impact

outside our organization. Additional areas of influence include feed

and bedding suppliers, heifer growers, processing plant suppliers

and third-party distribution companies.

Due to the fact that our overall business—and the environmental,

social and governance context—has not changed significantly

since 2015 when our materiality determination program was

established, we have made minimal updates to our material

topics since then. We actively review our material topics against

latest industry resources, like Innovation Center’s Materiality

Assessment for U.S. Dairy and GRI 13: Agriculture Aquaculture

and Fishing Sectors 2022. To help validate this decision and allow

the Company to continue to focus its reporting on topics that are

material, we solicited internal feedback from the Animals-People-

Planet-Products Leadership Team. The Animals-People-Planet-

Products Leadership Team consists of the management heads of

all departments within the Company. Also, in the normal course

of business, we interact with our Core and Tier 1 stakeholders.

Our Board of Directors meets quarterly, and we conduct quarterly

STAKEHOLDER TIERS

TIER 2

Local Communities, Non-Governmental

Organizations, Science & Research

Groups, Trade & Industry Groups

TIER 1

Consumers, Investors,

Regulators, Retail

Customers, Suppliers

CORE

Employees &

Dairy Cows

updates with our investors and bankers. We have face-to-face

meetings and site visits with our retail customers and suppliers.

During these meetings, we seek input from them regarding their

priorities and concerns.

While not as frequent as our Core and Tier 1 groups, we interact

regularly with Tier 2 stakeholders. We attend meetings with

industry and trade groups to further the interests of the organic

dairy community. Aurora Organic Dairy is an active member

and financial supporter of the Organic Trade Association,

the International Dairy Foods Association and the Climate

Collaborative. We also provided financial support to The Organic

Center. The Company retains a membership with the Private

Label Manufacturers Association.

When issues or concerns are raised by our stakeholder groups, we

address them to the best of our ability via direct communication.

To respond to our stakeholder needs for disclosure, we update

our website at least annually and have historically published our

Sustainability Report every two-to-three years.

CEO LETTER PEOPLE




APPENDIX


88


89

TIER 1 CORE

APPENDIX

STAKEHOLDER GROUP ENGAGEMENT TOPICS MOST IMPORTANT

(in alphabetical order)

Sustainability Steering Committee

Employees

Cows

Consumers of

Organic Dairy Products

Board of Directors,

Investors, Banks

(all external Board members, primary investors

and banking relationships represented)

Regulatory

Retail Customers

(retail customers representing more than 85%

of our sales volumes participated in a materiality

assessment survey)

Key Suppliers

(primary farm suppliers of organic feed, heifers,

bedding; plant suppliers of packaging and

materials; and insurance/benefits suppliers)

Materiality Assessment meeting

and comprehensive exercise

Sustainability Steering Committee

exercise and employee survey findings

(note: employee surveys not specific to GRI topics)

Interact with cows daily to monitor

quality of life and health, and

consultation with on-staff animal

care experts

Review of secondary consumer

research on drivers of organic

dairy purchases

In-person and electronic surveys

sent to each external Board member

and key banking relationships


Electronic surveys and normal course

of business meetings


Animal Care

Antibiotics & Hormones

Climate Change

Community Support

Ethics & Culture

Food Safety & Quality

Sustainable & Responsible Farming

Water Use & Availability

Worker Health & Safety

Animal Care

Climate Change

Community Support

Ethics & Culture

Fair Pay & Benefits


Supervision & Communication

Training & Education


Animal Care

Ethics & Culture

Food Waste

Supplier Sourcing Policies




Animal Care


Ethics & Culture


Healthy Affordable Food

Labeling


Animal Care


Compliance with Laws & Regulations

Economic Performance

Ethics & Culture



Animal Care




Labeling

Manure Management


Animal Care


Climate Change


Ethics & Culture


Labeling


Community Support


Economic Performance

Employment Opportunities & Retention

Ethics & Culture

Fair Pay & Benefits



APPENDIX


MATERIAL TOPICS

Material topics may be important across the supply chain.

The boundaries shown in this table signify the stages in which

the impacts are deemed not only important, but also material.

MISSION & CULTURE

3 RD PARTY FEED,

HEIFER & MILK

SUPPLIERS

FARMS &

COWS

BOUNDARIES

RAW MILK

TRANSPORT

MILK

PROCESSING

DISTRIBUTION,

RETAIL &

CONSUMER

Ethics & Culture X X X X X

Affordable Food X X X X X

Labeling X X

Food Safety & Quality X X X X X

Compliance with Laws & Regulations X X X X X

Supplier Sourcing Policies X X X X

ANIMALS

Animal Care X X

No Antibiotics or Growth Hormones X X

PEOPLE

Fair Pay & Benefits X X

Employment Opportunities & Retention X X

Training & Education X X

Worker Health & Safety X X

Community Support X X X X

PLANET

Climate Change X X X X X

Responsible Farming X X

Manure Management X X

Greenhouse Gas Emissions X X X X X

Energy X X X X X

Water Uses & Availability X X X X

Solid Waste X X X X

CEO LETTER PEOPLE


APPENDIX


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91

APPENDIX

Sustainability Governance & Strategy

Alongside our commitment to transparent and balanced

sustainability reporting, the governance structure of the

organization is designed to allow necessary accountability

regarding economic, social, environmental and climate-related

topics. Over the decades, we have developed a governance

structure that is appropriate for our business and provides

proper oversight toward ethical operations.

We are a privately held Company, and our Board of Directors

includes our Executive Chairman and Founder and Chief

Executive Officer, who serve as internal directors. The Board of

Directors participates in strategic planning and approving annual

budgets. The Board has relevant, climate-related experience

in the agriculture sector, and we engage them in discussions

as key matters arise within the Company. This helps align our

sustainability approach with business objectives, companywide

risk management and value creation.

Our Senior Leadership Team, operating under the Board’s

mandate, is responsible for providing strategic guidance

to the organization, which includes driving climate-related

strategies. They oversee management effectiveness and ensure

accountability to the broader organization and its stakeholders.

Our Senior Leadership Team conducts analyses to identify

substantive financial impacts beyond the Company’s control by

reviewing possible disruptions including climate-related physical

and transition risks. Strategic business objectives and climate

risks are considered in our companywide risk management

plan and mitigation strategy.

FLOW OF IDEAS & SUPPORT

SUSTAINABILITY IS EVERYONE'S JOB

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

SENIOR

LEADERSHIP

& AP3 TEAM

SUSTAINABILITY

DEPARTMENT

SUSTAINABILITY

STEERING

COMMITTEE

ALL EMPLOYEES

FLOW OF IDEAS & SUPPORT

APPENDIX

Our Sustainability Steering Committee is responsible for

defining sustainability strategies, establishing related policies,

setting goals and targets, and communicating progress to

stakeholders. In March 2025, the committee finalized the

Company's Sustainability Policies that address the importance

of environmental considerations within our operations. Daily

execution of sustainability projects is managed by project

leaders across the organization in coordination with the

Sustainability Department.

Caring for our animals, people and planet is everyone’s job at

Aurora Organic Dairy, and we strive to give our employees the

tools to reinforce this culture of sustainability. In 2018, the

Sustainability Department began developing a 14-week

Sustainability 101 Curriculum, which has since been taught

to our processing plant employees, farm managers and farm

employees through early 2025. The course provides global

context and Company-specific case studies on the topics of

animal care, people care, local communities, water, climate

change, energy and waste. In addition to raising awareness

and educating employees about the importance of these

topics, each module encourages discussion and ideas about

what each of us can do better in our daily routines.

CEO LETTER PEOPLE




APPENDIX


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93

APPENDIX

GRI CONTENT INDEX

STATEMENT OF USE

Aurora Organic Dairy has reported the information cited in this GRI content index for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024 with reference to the GRI Standards.

GRI 1 used Foundation 2021

GRI STANDARD DISCLOSURE

GENERAL DISCLOSURES

PAGES/RESPONSE

GRI 2: GENERAL DISCLOSURES 2021

2-1 Organizational details 86

2-2 Entities included in the organization’s reporting 86

2-3 Reporting period, frequency and contact point 2022-2024; triannual; 2025; Office of Sustainability: sustainability@aodmilk.com

2-4 Restatements of information 86

2-5 External assurance 1 Environmental Claims Validation Letter; 97

2-6 Activities, value chain and other business relationships Cow-to-carton organic dairy for retail brands nationwide; 2-3; 8-9; 86

2-7 Employees 40-41

2-8 Workers who are not employees 40-41

2-9 Governance structure and composition 92-93

2-22 Statement on sustainable development strategy 2-3

2-23 Policy commitments Aurora Organic Dairy Sustainability Policies; 92-93

2-25 Processes to remediate negative impacts Discussed throughout the report

2-27 Compliance with laws and regulations 24

2-28 Membership associations 62; 70; 89

2-29 Approach to stakeholder engagement 88-91

2-30 Collective bargaining agreements 0%

MATERIAL TOPIC DISCLOSURES

GRI 3: MATERIAL TOPICS 2021

3-1 Process to determine material topics 88-91

3-2 List of material topics 5; 91

3-3 Management of material topics Discussed throughout the report

GRI 302: ENERGY 2016

302-3 Energy intensity 73

GRI 303: WATER AND EFFLUENTS 2018

303-1 Interactions with water as a shared resource 74-77

303-2 Management of water discharge-related impacts 74-77

303-3 Water withdrawal 75-77

GRI 305: EMISSIONS 2016

305-4 GHG emissions intensity 66-69

GRI 306: WASTE 2020

306-1 Waste generation and significant waste-related impacts 80-81

306-2 Management of significant waste-related impacts 80-81

306-4 Waste diverted from disposal 80-81

306-5 Waste directed to disposal 80-81

GRI 308: SUPPLIER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2016

308-1 New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria 24

GRI 401: EMPLOYMENT 2016

401-2 Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees 42-43

GRI 403: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY 2018

403-1 Occupational health and safety management system 46-51

403-2 Hazard identification, risk assessment, and incident investigation 46-51

403-3 Occupational health services 46-51

403-4 Worker participation, consultation, and communication on occupational health and safety 46-51

403-5 Worker training on occupational health and safety 46-51

403-6 Promotion of worker health 46-51

403-7 Prevention and mitigation of occupational health and safety impacts directly linked by business relationships 46-51

403-9 Work-related injuries 48-51

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

APPENDIX

GRI STANDARD DISCLOSURE

PAGES/RESPONSE

GRI 404: TRAINING AND EDUCATION 2016

404-2 Programs for upgrading employee skills and transition assistance programs 44

404-3 Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews 44

GRI 414: SUPPLIER SOCIAL ASSESSMENT 2016

414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria 24

GRI 414: CUSTOMER HEALTH AND SAFETY 2016

416-1 Assessment of the health and safety impacts of product and service categories 22-23; 100%

416-2 Incidents of non-compliance concerning the health and safety impacts of products and services None

GRI 417: MARKETING AND LABELING 2016

417-1 Requirements for product and service information and labeling 25

417-2 Incidents of non-compliance concerning product and service information and labeling None

417-3 Incidents of non-compliance concerning marketing communications None

GRI 13: AGRICULTURE SECTOR 2022

Animal Health and Welfare 26-37

No Antibiotics or Growth Hormones 26-37

Community Support 52-55

Climate Change 60-61

Responsible Farming 62-65

Manure Management 65

1 Reporting guidance provided by sustainability consultants with dairy industry expertise.

2 Accurate information not readily available for third-party suppliers. Also, as a privately held Company, our responses to some of these disclosures are in the form of intensities or distributions

due to confidentiality constraints.

TCFD INDEX

The following table indicates where readers can find climate-related disclosures within this report recommended by the Task Force

on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

GOVERNANCE

PAGES/RESPONSE

a. Oversight by the Board of Directors of climate-related risks and opportunities 92

b. Management role in assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities 92

STRATEGY

a. Climate-related risks and opportunities identified over the short, medium and long-term 60

b. Impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on the Company's businesses, strategy and financial planning Discussed throughout the report

c. Resilience of the Company's strategy, taking into consideration different climate scenarios, including a 2°C or lower scenario 60

RISK MANAGEMENT

a. Processes for identifying and assessing climate-related risks 4; 92

b. Processes for managing climate-related risks 4; 92

c. Integration of processes for identifying, assessing and managing climate-related risks in the Company's overall risk management 4; 92

METRICS AND TARGETS

a. Metrics used to assess climate-related risks and opportunities, in line with the Company's risk management strategy and process Discussed throughout the report

b. Greenhouse gas emissions for scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 and the related risks 66-69

c. Targets used to manage climate-related risks and/or opportunities and the Company's performance against these targets Discussed throughout the report

CEO LETTER PEOPLE


APPENDIX


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95

APPENDIX

AOD ON-FARM RESEARCH PUBLISHED IN PEER-REVIEWED ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNALS

TOPIC PARTNER YEAR

Reproduction parameters - effect of lunar cycle on conception Colorado State University 2025

Cow behavior Colorado State University 2025

Methane reduction strategies The Ohio State University 2025

Methane reduction strategies Colorado State University 2023

Postpartum disorders Washington State University 2023


Cow behavior & health The Ohio State University 2021

Calf health The Ohio State University 2021

Postpartum treatments Colorado State University 2021

Lameness treatments Texas A&M University 2021

Reproduction treatments Colorado State University 2021

Body condition Colorado State University 2021

Postpartum treatments The Ohio State University 2020


Lameness treatments Colorado State University 2020

Genetics University of Wisconsin 2020

Reproduction parameters - genomic variation and fertility Colorado State University 2020


Cow behavior University of California 2020


Reproductive disorders Colorado State University 2020

Postpartum disorders Colorado State University 2020


Feed supplements Colorado State University 2019



Feed supplements Colorado State University 2019


Alternative therapies Colorado State University 2019

Impact of activity on reproduction Colorado State University 2019

Calf health Colorado State University 2018


Genetics Colorado State University 2018

Effects of lameness Colorado State University 2018



Reproduction parameters - effect of seasons on fertility Colorado State University 2018

Reproduction parameters - early lactation diseases Colorado State University 2018


Postpartum lameness University of Missouri 2018

Calf health Colorado State University 2017

Lameness treatments Colorado State University 2017

Metritis treatments Texas A&M University 2017

Pregnancy diagnosis Texas A&M University 2017


Reproduction treatments Texas A&M University 2016


Metritis treatments Texas A&M University 2015


Reproduction treatments The Ohio State University 2014

Mastitis treatments University of Florida 2013

APPENDIX

Candice Stacey


1919 14th St., Ste. 300 Boulder, CO 80302

06/03/2025

Dear Ms. Stacey,

I am pleased to confirm that Aurora Organic Dairy (AOD), through its purchase and

retirement of offsets from third-party carbon-reduction and renewable energy projects, has

offset energy emissions for Company-owned farms and processing plants, the AOD

headquarters office, and all raw milk transportation to Company-owned processing plants

from January 1 st , 2024, to December 31 st , 2024.

Key information about SCS’ assessment, including details of the energy emissions of AOD for

the calendar year 2024 across its various company-owned farms and processing plants,

headquarters office, and raw transport, as well as its retirement of offsets and RECs, can be

found in our Environmental Claims Validation (ECV) report. The greenhouse gas (GHG)

inventory of AOD’s operations included Scope 1 emissions from stationary combustion and

mobile combustion for Company-owned operations. Scope 2 emissions accounted for the

quantity of electricity purchased for Company-owned operations. Scope 3 emissions

included the transportation of all raw milk to Company-owned processing plants, as well as

the upstream impacts of all energy and fuel consumed (e.g., extraction, processing,

transportation of fuels).

Please note that any off-product claim based on SCS’ analysis and this statement shall include

the claim period (dates stated above). No on-product claims based on this validation can be

made as the emissions that were offset happened in the past and do not relate to current

production or sales of products.

Thank you again for working with SCS to verify your support of offsetting projects that help

to mitigate climate change, and congratulations to everyone at AOD for your achievement.

Sincerely,

Diana Kirsanova Phillips

Chief Assurance Officer

SCS Global Services


CEO LETTER PEOPLE


APPENDIX


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97

Be kind to our leafy friends;

only print this report

if you truly must.


1919 14th St., Ste. 300 Boulder, CO 80302

720.564.6296

info@aodmilk.com

www.auroraorganic.com


2025 AOD CSR

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