Workshop to explore anaerobic digestion, renewable energy for livestock operations

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Indiana Biomass Energy Working Group will offer a workshop at Fair Oaks Farms on management of wastes from large-scale livestock operations, including anaerobic digestion, a mechanism for transforming biological waste into bioenergy.

The Anaerobic Digestion and Phosphorus Recovery Project will be 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST June 3. The workshop, co-sponsored by Purdue Extension, will begin at the Farmhouse Restaurant at Fair Oaks Farms, 856 N. 600 E, Fair Oaks, and end with a tour of the anaerobic digester at Fair Oaks Farm in Lake Village.

Session topics include nutrient management with manure and biosolids, overviews of available resource guides for feedstock and digesters, and opportunities in electricity, transportation fuel and other forms of renewable energy made possible by anaerobic digestion.

The purpose of the workshop is to alert Indiana livestock owners to opportunities in renewable energy and nutrient management, said Chad Martin, Purdue Extension renewable energy specialist in Purdue University's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

"We want to help uncover the opportunities found within nutrient management practices associated with large-scale livestock operations, as well as the opportunities within the field of renewable energy in Indiana," said Martin, who is working with Jiqin Ni, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue, to coordinate the workshop.

The anaerobic digester at Fair Oaks Farms, installed in the summer of 2008, produces both biogas and effluent, or a combination liquid-solid byproduct. The biogas is converted to compressed natural gas that powers the farms' 45 milk delivery trucks as well as public utilities in the region.

The effluent undergoes two separation processes - one creates long-fiber, organic soil amendment that is spread directly onto soil, and the other creates dry, stackable solid nitrogen and phosphorus, which is sent to farms or to Fair Oaks' fertilizer plant. The plant is under construction and expected to be completed in November.

Registration for the event is complimentary and open until May 27, and may be accessed along with a full agenda at http://www.cvent.com/d/8fqtzp/6X. For more information, contact Martin at 765-496-3964, martin95@purdue.edu.

Co-sponsors of the workshop are Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Growers Association, Indiana Pork, Indiana Dairy Producers and Fair Oaks Farms.

The Indiana Biomass Energy Working Group is a consortium of members of industry, state and federal government, trade organizations, universities and the public working to promote the growth of a viable renewable energy industry, protect the environment and help to provide energy security and "green" jobs in communities. 

Writer: Jessica Merzdorf, 765-494-7719, jmerzdor@purdue.edu 

Sources: Chad Martin, 765-496-3964, martin95@purdue.edu

Carl Ramsay, Farm Manager, 219-869-1773, carl@pedairy.com

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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