Project Description
Jordan Dairy Farms continues its commitment to sustaining the farm for future generations and protecting the environment by adding a second Vanguard Renewables Farm Powered Anaerobic Digester at the Jordan Dairy Farms Heifer Facility in Spencer, Massachusetts. Jordan Dairy Farms was the first farm in New England to host an anaerobic digester back in 2011. With the addition of the Spencer location, the Jordan’s now become the first New England farm family to host two Farm Powered Anaerobic Digesters.
A six-generation dairy operation, Jordan Dairy Farms was founded in 1885. The farm is a member of the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) Cooperative and is operated by brothers Randy and Brian Jordan.
The completed anaerobic digester at the Spencer location features a 660,000-gallon capacity anaerobic digester tank and will co-digest more than 4,400 tons of manure and 38,000 tons of organics annually. It will produce 8,000 MWh of renewable energy per year from a 1 MW engine and offsets 1000 tons of CO2 emissions daily.
Manure from the dairy operation and organic food waste are combined in the anaerobic digester and microorganisms convert sugars, fats, and other compounds into biogas to produce renewable energy. The digestate by-product of the process is an odor-free organic, liquid fertilizer. The farm also receives low-cost energy and hot water and heat for farm operations.
FARM FACTS
950-acre dairy farm
- Founded in 1885
800 Holstein cows/300 milked daily
Located in Spencer, Mass.
- Member of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA)

DIGESTER FACTS
Construction completed spring 2019
660,000-gallon capacity
160,000-gallon hydrolyzer
FARM BENEFITS
- Income diversification
- Low carbon fertilizer to increase crop yields and protect area soils
Reduced energy cost
- Odor reduction
- Reduction in chemical fertilizer use
- Enhanced nutrient management plan
- Heat reuse
Annual Digester Input
Annual Digester Output
Receives organic waste from food manufacturers and provides renewable energy via net metering credits to businesses


Jordan Dairy Farms in the News
Dairy Farmers Give Away Free Milk – NBC News Coverage
Thanks to everyone who made this Farmers Feeding Families milk donation event possible particularly the Massachusetts members of Dairy Farmers of America. 8,600 gallons of milk were distributed to approximately 4000 families and individuals.
Gas companies want to recycle your manure
"Poop is gold today" - Randy Jordan, Jordan Dairy Farms. Jordan hosts 2 Vanguard Renewables Farm Powered anaerobic digesters on his farms in Mass. Vanguard is expanding manure-only and food waste and manure to renewable natural gas projects nationwide.
Panning for Gold in the Waste Stream: Vanguard Renewables helps farmers harvest energy from their by-products
When Randy Jordan takes part in his local Fourth of July parade these days, he no longer worries about neighbors turning their noses up at him. In the past, they had their reasons.