 Climate
Friendly Farming
Washington State University helping farmers develop
and implement agricultural systems and practices that mitigate
global climate change.
Biogas
Information
Within
the Pacific Northwest, there is much talk about producing
green energy by digesting manure. Whatcom County is beginning
to put that talk to action.
Agriculture
is an important part of Whatcom County's economy, history,
and culture. The county has about one third of Washington
State's dairy cows, about 80,000 milk cows. This large animal
industry produces large quantities of animal waste, with
inherent environmental consequences. Rising energy prices
are also hurting farmers. Thus, the dairy industry is under
stress due to both economic and regulatory issues.
Storage
and land applying animal manure contributes significant greenhouse
gas (methane, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen) to the
environment. Converting animal manure to energy and useable
byproducts can reduce greenhouse gasses, plus provide other
beneficial effects.
Anaerobic
digestion (AD) has the potential to reduce manure-handling
problems while generating a compost like fiber for blending
into a soil conditioner & methane gas for energy. Thus,
AD can provide a second income for farmers.
There
are potentially three new income streams for farmers. Methane
gas can be converted to electricity, the fiber generated
can be sold as a soil amendment or as animal bedding, and
the AD process can provide greenhouse gas carbon credits
for mitigation of new power plants.
Farmers
who use AD for their dairy manure report fewer odor problems
and complaints, and some say the solids produced are more
saleable. With AD, you can remove a higher level of phosphorous
from the solids, thus reducing the potential problems of
water contamination of phosphorous overload.
Anaerobic
Digesters are just one way of assisting in the country's
need to find alternative energy choices that benefit the
environment. This web site will point you to other AD trials,
demonstrations and scientific literature
Other
Biogas Sites
The
Green Power Network - Green
Pricing Programs
Midwest
Rural Energy Council's comprehensive biogas links
EPA
- The AgSTAR Program
Manure
Digesters--Ag Canada
Biomass
Energy Information and Resource - Minnestota
US
Dept. of Energy - Methane from Anaerobic Digesters
How
Biogas is Generated from Agricultural Residues
Chicago
Climate Exchange
FAO
Committee on Agriculture's Carbon Credits
Whatcom
County On-Farm Composting Website
Manure
Compost Marketing Guide (This is a *pdf file, you will
need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view)
Description
of a Farm-Scale Biogas Plant Krieg & Fischer Ingenieure
GmbH
Environomics,
Designer: Manure Biogas Digestion Systems
Dairy Waste Handbook
Anaerobic
Digestion for Piggeries
At
Your Disposal
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is a dynamic, online, searchable resource that brings research-based
information and education into your home or office. The practical,
current, and unbiased information in this site represents the work
of Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station professionals
at Land Grant and Sea Grant universities throughout the United
States.