Virginia: A new biogas project at a multigenerational dairy farm in Virginia is transforming farm waste and discarded food into renewable energy and natural fertilizer, highlighting a growing shift toward sustainable energy solutions in agriculture.
The facility, recently commissioned at Oakmulgee Dairy Farm in Amelia Court House, has been developed by Vanguard Renewables as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand renewable natural gas production in the United States, Morning AgClips reported.
The project uses a co-digester system that processes dairy manure along with organic waste such as fats, oils, greases, food production byproducts and unsellable food products. The waste is diverted from landfills and processed in a sealed, oxygen-free environment to produce renewable natural gas and organic fertilizer.
According to the company, the Virginia facility and two similar sites in Wisconsin together process nearly 1,000 tons of food waste daily across major US markets. The resulting renewable gas is injected into the energy grid and is capable of supplying power for industrial use and tens of thousands of homes.
Speaking at the commissioning event held on April 28, Mike O’Laughlin said the project converts organic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills into carbon-negative gas for the energy grid using advanced technology.
Oakmulgee Dairy Farm, regarded as Virginia’s oldest continuously operating dairy farm, is managed by farmer Larkin Moyer and his sons Jeremy and Brandon. Vanguard Renewables first approached the family with the proposal in 2022.
The farm was selected because of its large-scale dairy operations, access to agricultural and food waste streams and proximity to an existing gas pipeline.
Under the arrangement, the Moyer family receives a long-term land lease income while also benefiting from improved manure management practices. The project additionally provides the farm with natural fertilizer and animal bedding at no cost, helping reduce operating expenses.
Mr. Moyer said the fertilizer generated from the project would support thousands of acres of nearby farmland at a time when the cost of conventional fertilizer ingredients has increased sharply due to global geopolitical tensions.
He added that the project would help ensure the long-term survival of the family farm for future generations while also supporting rural employment.
The organic waste supplied to the digester is collected through agreements with regional food processors and suppliers. Packaging materials are separated and recycled before the waste enters the processing system.
The project was developed through a joint venture between Vanguard Renewables and TotalEnergies, combining expertise in organic waste recycling and renewable energy production.
Renewable natural gas generated from the facilities is being used to support US operations of AstraZeneca under one of the largest corporate renewable gas supply agreements in the United States.
