Walmoore Holsteins
Walmoore Ag-Grid will be Ag-Grid Energy’s first dairy farm digester project in Pennsylvania. The digester will recycle food waste and manure to generate electricity. Walmoore Holsteins has been honored for taking proactive steps to cut water pollution and use green farming techniques.
Date Operational (projected)
Fall 2024
Project Partnership
Ag-Grid Energy partnered with Walmoore Holsteins to form the special-purpose company Walmoore Ag-Grid LLC to own and operate an anaerobic digester and combined heat and power (CHP) system.
Funding
This project will be funded through partner equity, NRCS EQIP grant, Pennsylvania REAP grant, USDA REAP grant, and REAP loan guarantee through Live Oak Bank lending.
Project Description
- FOOD WASTE – The digester will recycle up to 14,000 tons of food waste per year.
- MANURE — The digester will recycle manure.
- ENERGY — The digester’s 450 kW engine will generate 10.5 million kW hours of clean, renewable energy per year.
Farm Team
Walt Moore owns and operates Walmoore Holsteins. He is a fourth-generation owner and general manager. The farm has 11 full-time employees, and hires seasonal part-time staffd. In 2011, Moore was named a Master Farmer in recognition of his farming skill, business success, and community involvement. He is one of 55 Philadelphia-area farmers to receive what is akin to the ‘Oscar’ of Agriculture since the award started in the 1920s. The honor is co-sponsored by American Agriculturist magazine and the Extension Services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia.
About the Farm
The farm was founded in 1909 with 20 dairy cows. Now it has 1,670 cows including 1,050 milking cows and 620 dry cows and other young stock. The owner expects the milking herd to grow to 1,500 cows within the next two years.
Impact on the Community and the Environment
The local community will benefit from odor reduction and access to renewable electricity. Additionally, Walmoore Ag-Grid plans to use this project as an educational example and tool for the local community. Local food producers will have a trusted disposal site for recycling waste.
The renewable electricity from this project will help support 1,600 electric vehicles on the road and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from those vehicles.