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.

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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

4,400 tons of manure
38,300 tons of organics

Annual Digester Output

Produces 8,000 MWh of renewable energy/year from a 1 MW engine
Displaces 1000 tons of CO2 emissions

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.