Four additional anaerobic digesters are set to be installed in Vermont, aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions on dairy farms. These digesters play a crucial role in reducing emissions by transforming cow manure into various useful products, including renewable energy, heat, animal bedding, and fertilizer. With already over a dozen such facilities in operation across the state and more in the pipeline, their significance in combating emissions is becoming increasingly apparent.
Agriculture accounts for sixteen percent of Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions, with a quarter of that stemming from waste storage facilities, according to the Agency of Agriculture. This highlights the pressing need for solutions like anaerobic digesters. Dustin Machia from Machia & Sons Dairy in Sheldon underscores the importance of environmental stewardship in farming practices, emphasizing the desire to minimize pollution and adopt sustainable methods for the future of dairy farming and environmental conservation.
Presently, Machia’s dairy farm utilizes cow manure primarily as fertilizer, but acknowledges the limitations of this approach. Implementing an anaerobic digester could provide a significant boost by not only addressing environmental concerns but also by generating additional revenue streams amidst the volatile dairy market.
Jim Muir, a developer with Agricultural Digestors, explains the process of anaerobic digestion, wherein the manure is sealed in a tank for approximately 26 days, effectively converting it into a different substance while preventing methane emissions. Muir highlights that methane emissions from cows and their excrement are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and anaerobic digesters offer a practical solution to harness this methane for energy production.
Federal grants are supporting the installation of these digesters on farms like Machia’s, with plans to construct them starting this year. Despite the proven benefits of digesters in reducing CO2 emissions, challenges such as funding, costs, and outreach hinder their widespread adoption in Vermont. However, Ryan Patch from the agricultural agency emphasizes the long-term value of these investments, citing EPA data showing substantial reductions in CO2 emissions. The year-round operation of digesters provides a consistent source of energy production, contributing to the sustainability of these projects on dairy farms across Vermont.
