As much as 40 percent of the country's food supply gets thrown out. In Massachusetts, Vanguard Renewables, its farm partners, and companies including Whole Foods are combining that food waste with manure to produce renewable energy.
In 2021, Vanguard Renewables will process nearly 500,000 tons of organic waste into renewable energy.
Farmers talk about the benefits of hosting a Farm Powered anaerobic digester on their farm including a diversified income stream to sustain the farm for future generations. They also reflect on overall benefits to the farm including regenerative agriculture best practices, increased crop yields and milk production, herd health, greenhouse gas reduction, manure management, and community relations.
For all the challenges associated with manure, there’s a positive side to this organic substance, as a source of renewable energy that goes well beyond its traditional use as a fertilizer. Vanguard Renewables is working with dairy farms across the nation to solve organic waste disposal challenges, while at the same time producing renewable natural gas that will generate an income stream.
Vanguard Renewables featured in Green Labs Recycling's Sustainability Highlight blog, a recurring series featuring Massachusetts businesses with sustainability-focused missions.
John Hanselman, Vanguard Renewables CEO and David Darr of Dairy Farmers of America talk about the Farmers Feeding Families initiative to help combat food insecurity on this podcast with U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action.
Fossil fuel companies think renewable natural gas is the answer to their PR problems. Environmentalists think not.
As a cooperative invested in the dairy supply chain from farm to table, DFA is taking a strong position by setting a science-based target and committing to reduce both direct and value chain GHG emissions by 30% by 2030.
Dominion is working with startup Vanguard Renewables, which deploys manure to renewable natural gas systems at dairy farms.
As U.S. food assistance programs grapple with overwhelming demand during the coronavirus pandemic, some in New England are finding support from unusual partners—renewable energy companies.
