October 31, 2017
DALTON — The town is embracing wind energy, but officials plan to chew a bit more on “cow power.” The Select Board heard a pitch Monday from Hampshire Power to buy electricity produced from cow manure and compost. Doing so would support green energy and yield credits to reduce its electric bill. The five-member board decided to hold off on a decision until its next meeting. But the town is […]
October 31, 2017
Farming is in Kies Orr’s blood. The 24-year-old is the third generation to work at Fort Hill Farms, in Thompson. The dairy farm was started by her grandfather, Ernie O’Leary, 70 years ago. Now, Fort Hill Farms is riding a wave of technological breakthroughs that promises increased dairy production, more comfort for the cows, and sustainability well into the future. With a degree in agricultural business and dairy management from […]
October 20, 2017
Digester will produce enough renewable energy to light up 320 US homes and divert 20,000 tons of organic waste from landfills Oct 18, 2017 Granville, MA– Rockwood Ag-Grid LLC is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) has granted a plan approval to the anaerobic gas digestion system, an associated engine, and an enclosed flare (the “Plant”) at Rockwood Farm located at 355 Granby Road […]
August 25, 2017
GALT, Calif. (AP) — California is taking its fight against global warming to the farm. The nation’s leading agricultural state is now targeting greenhouse gases produced by dairy cows and other livestock. Despite strong opposition from farmers, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation in September that for the first time regulates heat-trapping gases from livestock operations and landfills. Cattle and other farm animals are major sources of methane, a greenhouse gas […]
August 25, 2017
There was great excitement in the greater New York City metro region last week, when New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that construction will start on the area’s first ever large scale anaerobic food waste digester system. Located in the hamlet of Yaphank, which happens to be the geographical center of Long Island, the new facility is expected to handle about 160,000 tons of waste annually, including solid food waste, […]
August 25, 2017
Hampshire Council of Governments (HCOG) is again bringing new sources of clean, renewable electricity to Western Massachusetts towns. This time it is in the form of methane produced from manure and food waste. HCOG has partnered with AG-Grid Energy LLC, whose agricultural anaerobic digesters convert agricultural and organic waste into renewable energy. Two local dairy farms, Rockwood Farms in Granville, MA, and Luther Belden Farms in Hatfield, MA, will use […]
August 25, 2017
BOSTON — For years, dairy farmers have used cow manure as fertilizer to spread over crops like corn and hay. But two farms in Western Massachusetts have a new use for all that manure — renewable energy. Luther Belden Farm in Hatfield and Rockwood Farms in Granville are embarking on a project to turn cow manure into electricity as a way to become self-sustaining and stabilize their finances in what they […]
August 24, 2017
People and families in need often visit food banks and pantries to get basic provisions free of charge. Unfortunately, donations often decrease during the summer months. The nationwide campaign Feds Feed Families was created to help food banks and pantries stay stocked. This summer’s campaign, Feds Unite Against Hunger, offers several easy ways federal employees can help ease the burden on food banks across the nation. This year’s multi-faceted approach focuses on the […]