From Poop to Power energy, handbook put Vermont farmers on green map
Some Vermont farms are using "cow power" to convert methane gas from cow manure into electricity and sell the power to the area grid. Four farms are currently involved with a fifth about to come online. One dairy farm says the project has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 4,000 tons.
Vermont farmers have another resource to discover renewable energy possibilities. The "Farm Energy Handbook" was recently released from the Vermont Environmental Consortium and Vermont Dairy Task Force. Ben & Jerry's helped out, too. The handbook has advice on wind power, ethanol and even geothermal heating the cooling. All totaled, there are 13 different methods of making and using renewable energy on the farm.
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[Source: David Gram/Associated Press via Houston Chronicle]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eileen Moore 8:53PM (2/17/2008)
How can I turn this into a science project for 5th graders.
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JSG 8:49AM (1/24/2007)
I think the cow is in the wrong spot in that cycle ;)
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Tim 9:16AM (1/24/2007)
I watched an episode of "Dirty Jobs" where the dairy farmer used animal waste not only produced his own fuel for his generator, but also to manufacture biodegradable pots from the left over sterilized plant fiber. He sold them for 50 cents each turning a very tidy profit. Fuel from waste is the proper use of corn in the energy cycle, not corn ethanol. Corn is for animals to eat and humans to drink.
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