As global dairy systems face increasing economic, environmental, and social pressure, the need for resilient and sustainable farming practices has never been greater. Recognizing this, Danone has launched the Milk Academy, a multi-year global initiative designed to strengthen supplier capabilities, enhance farm sustainability, and improve long-term viability across the dairy ecosystem. This programme not only supports farmers but also aligns closely with the new B Corp Performance Standards, reinforcing Danone’s role as a leader in responsible business.

Building a Global Programme for Local Impact

The Milk Academy is structured around three interconnected elements:

1. Centres of Excellence — specialised hubs supporting large-scale, mid-size, and smallholder farms through hands-on technical and sustainability training.
2. Local Training Hubs — adapted to regional farming conditions to ensure relevance, accessibility, and practical application.
3. A Digital Learning Platform — enabling global connectivity, farmer-to-farmer learning, and scalable knowledge transfer.

These components are supported by leading academic and industry partners including Cornell University, Wageningen University & Research, and technology and animal health experts such as Lely, MSD Animal Health, and Zoetis.

Advancing the B Corp Standards Through the Milk Academy

The programme’s design and intent align with several key B Corp Impact Topics, particularly those centred on governance, fair work, human rights, climate action, environmental stewardship, and collective action.

Purpose & Stakeholder Governance

The Milk Academy recognises farmers as critical stakeholders, not just suppliers. Its governance model encourages collaboration, shared decision-making, and transparent feedback loops. This supports B Lab’s requirement for companies to integrate stakeholder interests into their purpose and governance frameworks.

Fair Work & Inclusion (JEDI)

The programme ensures equitable access to training for farms of all sizes and socioeconomic backgrounds. A strong emphasis is placed on inclusion particularly for smallholders and women farmers through tailored modules, localised content, and digital accessibility. This directly advances B Corp’s commitments to fair work, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Human Rights Focus in Dairy Communities

By improving working conditions, supporting safer farming practices, and strengthening business resilience, the Milk Academy contributes to protecting human rights in dairy communities. Strengthened livelihoods, better access to knowledge, and long-term economic stability all support human dignity and wellbeing.

Climate Action & Environmental Stewardship

Farmers receive expert guidance on practical climate solutions such as methane reduction strategies, regenerative agricultural methods, improved nutrient cycles, and soil health restoration. These activities directly align with B Corp’s Climate Action and Environmental Stewardship & Circularity impact topics, supporting both mitigation and adaptation goals.

Collective Action & Systems Change

The Milk Academy encourages a collaborative ecosystem that engages universities, innovation partners, governments, and farmer networks. This approach aligns with B Lab’s emphasis on Government Affairs & Collective Action by fostering sector-wide progress and policy-aligned impact.

Centres of Excellence and Global Expansion

The programme is currently growing across multiple regions:

• United States (Ohio): The first Centre of Excellence, launched with 60 farmer partners from nine countries, focuses on large-scale dairy practices.
• Belgium (2025): A hub for mid-size European farms, co-developed with leading agricultural research institutions.
• Morocco (2026): The programme’s smallholder-focused centre supporting emerging markets.
• Digital Hub: Offering continuous access to learning, resources, and global best practices.

Each centre is designed to adapt knowledge to regional realities while maintaining global standards of excellence.

Measuring Progress for Long-Term Impact

The Milk Academy integrates continuous improvement metrics that align with B Lab’s multiyear assessment cycle. Key indicators include:

• Number of farmers trained and geographic reach
• Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane
• Farm productivity and herd health improvements
• Adoption rates of regenerative and circular practices
• Economic resilience and income stability for farmers
• Inclusion metrics across gender, farm size, and socio-economic background

These metrics strengthen Danone’s transparency, support certification pathways, and help demonstrate progress toward sustainable sourcing goals.

Opportunity for Southeast Asia

The Milk Academy presents a significant opportunity for further localisation in Southeast Asia, a region where Danone Specialized Nutrition operates across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia.

The region’s dairy sector—largely dependent on smallholders and characterized by tropical agricultural conditions—can benefit greatly from the Academy’s approach. Potential areas of localisation include:

• Adapting sustainability modules for tropical feed systems
• Strengthening smallholder dairy productivity under regional climatic challenges
• Building digital access for remote and rural farming communities
• Partnering with agricultural universities, cooperatives, and local sustainability networks
• Supporting regional climate adaptation and resilience efforts

Embedding the Milk Academy in Southeast Asia would contribute to stronger local supply chains, improved farmer livelihoods, and accelerated climate-positive transformation aligned with both Danone's mission and B Corp standards.

Conclusion

The Danone Milk Academy is more than a training programme, it is a strategic investment in the future of dairy sustainability. By empowering farmers through knowledge, strengthening environmental stewardship, and fostering inclusive economic growth, the programme directly supports the new B Corp global standards and positions Danone as a leader in purpose-driven business transformation.

Through global collaboration and regional adaptation, the Milk Academy has the potential to redefine sustainable dairy production and create lasting positive impact for communities, the planet, and the industry as a whole.