Dairy farming in Maine and around the country has an amazing story to tell when it comes to Sustainability. Across the nation, the dairy industry has committed to become Green House Gas (GHG) Neutral by the year 2050. The following are links to articles and resources that explain what is happening on farms near and far to make that possible. If you want to delve deeper and even talk to a Maine dairy farmer, we are happy to help connect you with someone who has expertise in your area of interest. Email your questions and requests to [email protected].

Sustainability Practices on Dairy Farms

Meet the Farmers – Brigeen Farms

Evolving Sustainable Dairy Farming Practices – usdairy.com

Dairy Farm Solutions to Cow Methane Emissions – usdairy.com

Poo Power – technology that uses cow manure to produce natural gas

Maine’s largest dairy farm will soon have the state’s first natural gas digester, fueled by manure – Maine Public

Maine’s First Community Renewable Natural Gas Dairy Digester – Summit Utilities Inc.

Central Maine dairy farms to turn manure into renewable natural gas – newscentermaine.com

They’ve gone and dung it: Clinton ‘digester’ to produce natural gas from manure – centralmaine.com

Creating energy with cow manure and food waste

This Exeter farm converts truckloads of food waste to electricity. It could be taking more – Piscataquis Observer

Exeter Agri-Energy – company that operates the digester at Stonyvale Farm.

What Is a Digester? – usdairy.com

Food Waste & Composting with ecomaine

Feeding cows sea kelp to reduce methane emissions

UNH research: Cows fed kelp meal are less gassy – fosters.com

Seaweed Research Benefits Region’s Dairy Farmers – UNH Today

Can Seaweed Curtail Effects of Cow Burps? -Wolfe’s Neck Center

Healthy Soils

Soil health is important for so many reasons. Maine is experiencing longer periods of drought and more monsoon-like rainstorms. Healthy soil can help to absorb those rains when we get them so that the plants can use that moisture during the dry periods, and it reduces soil erosion. Healthy soil is also better able to sequester carbon, keeping it out of the air.

How carbon sequestration in Maine can help slow climate change – Maine Public

How Farmers Cultivate Healthy Soil – Maine Farmland Trust

Harris Farm Committed to Sustainability

No-Till Management Case Study: Stonyvale Farm – University of Maine Cooperative Extension