Vermont dairy farm wins national award for implementing sustainable practices

(Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

By Sanchali Singh

(SALISBURY, Vt.) A Vermont dairy farm was recognized this week after winning a national award for its sustainable farming practices, which help combat climate change and protect water quality.

The Goodrich Family Farm in Salisbury, which sells milk to the Cabot Co-op Creamery to use in cheddar cheese and other dairy products, won the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award, according to MyNBC 5.

The award was given out by industry group Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, which honors innovative dairy farms annually for producing responsibly.

The Goodrich farm was selected for using new technology that turns cow manure and human food scraps into renewable natural gas. By reusing waste, the farm keeps harmful greenhouse gases like methane from being released into the atmosphere.

The machine, which is a 1.32-million-gallon anaerobic digester, is said to be the largest one in the U.S.

MyNBC 5 reported that renewable gas is then sent to neighboring Middlebury College, which is trying to power its campus only using renewable energy.

The Goodrich farm partners with Massachusetts-based Vanguard Renewables, which owns, develops and operates the digester.

"To be named the most sustainable dairy farm in America was mind-blowing," said John Hanselman of Vanguard Renewables.

In addition to creating renewable gas, the machine provides the farm with low-carbon, non-synthetic fertilizer and animal bedding.

The machine also helps to remove phosphorous, which helps farms reduce toxic runoff into Lake Champlain from creating algae blooms. If the lake can be cleaned of phosphorous, a University of Vermont study found that it could lead to a drastic increase in state revenue.

"It's a huge priority to know the next generation — my nieces and nephews — are always going to have clean places to swim and water to drink," said Danielle Goodrich-Gingras, who manages the 900-head herd with her brother, Chase.

The seven winners of the 2021 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award will be celebrated this fall at the industry’s Dairy Sustainability Alliance meeting, according to New England Dairy.

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