Vermont

Manure tech helping cut greenhouse gas emissions on Vt. dairy farms

Published

2 years ago

February 12, 2024

Manure tech helping cut greenhouse gas emissions on Vt. dairy farms

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Making the most out of manure. Four more anaerobic digesters are coming to Vermont to help cut down on greenhouse gas emissions on dairy farms.

Anaerobic digestors reduce greenhouse gas emissions by turning cow manure into renewable energy, heat, animal bedding, and fertilizer. There are over a dozen in the state, and more on the way.

When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont 16% come from agriculture. According to the Agency of Agriculture, a quarter of that is made up of waste storage facilities.

That’s one reason why anaerobic digesters are top of mind for Dustin Machia of Machia & Sons Dairy. “As a farmer, we’re a stewardess on the land and we don’t want to pollute and over manure and do all the things that ain’t good for the future dairy for our waterways, streams, and lakes.”

Right now they take the manure of their 1,300 dairy cows and use it as fertilizer but it comes with limitations. He says an anaerobic digester could be a vital asset giving them a stream of revenue in addition to a sometimes volatile milk industry “Being a farmer you want to be here for many years to come. Just need to find all these little waterways of revenue coming through,” said Machia.

So – how does it work?

“The manure is placed in a sealed tank, so no methane or anything escapes for, on average, about 26 days. And it’s heated up to about five degrees centigrade, little over 100 and when it’s in there cooking for this period of time when it comes out, it’s a different substance,” said Jim Muir, a developer of Agricultural Digestors

Methane comes in all shapes and sizes. Excretion has methane in it, and the breath from the cows has manure in it too. Jim Muir, a developer with Agricultural Digestors says an average dairy farm can provide electricity for approximately 140 homes.

Machia’s is one of four farms statewide taking advantage of federal grants to get the digesters to the farms. There are already 14 digesters in the state; as a result of funding ten years ago.

Muir says funding, cost, and general outreach are some reasons they aren’t more popular in Vermont.

“It’s a significant engineering and construction undertaking. And similarly, it adds another layer of management and work on a dairy farm.” But Ryan Patch with the Agency of Ag says those 14 digesters have proven to be a worthwhile investment. EPA data shows 74k metric tons of CO2 equivalent are reduced per year.

“You will keep one of these digesters running year-round. It’s not seasonal like harvesting crops. In Vermont, you can make the energy you’re wrapping these projects, and so that can be another benefit of these types of technologies being constructed on farms,” said Patch.

The goal is for the anaerobic digesters to start construction this year.

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Vermont

74-year-old woman fulfills childhood dream as EMT at fair in Vermont

Published

11 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

74-year-old woman fulfills childhood dream as EMT at fair in Vermont

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. (Aging Untold) — For 10 days, the Champlain Valley Fair, a county fair in Vermont, becomes its own little town with thousands of people, hot afternoons and the occasional emergency.

Charlene Phelps, 74, runs the fair’s emergency response team.

“We have a lot of seniors that come and people don’t drink enough water,” Phelps said.

The team handles sprains, bee stings, heat exhaustion and whatever comes through.

“I like taking care of people, I like helping people,” Phelps said.

Living out a childhood dream

It’s also a childhood dream.

Phelps wanted to be a nurse, but college wasn’t possible, so she found another route into care and has been showing up year after year at the fair.

Aging Untold expert Amy O’Rourke said living out your purpose can improve mental and spiritual well-being.

“When you tap into that, you’re tapping in on a place that’s a risk, that’s a challenge that inevitably creates growth inside you, gives you confidence so that if you’re in another situation you can build on that,” O’Rourke said. “Or, if you’re in an everyday situation where you’re a little anxious, it’ll help create stabilization in that place as well.”

Saving lives at the fair

Sometimes it’s bigger than a bandage.

“Over on there near the swings way over there is Gustovo, and we saved his life,” Phelps said.

Gustovo had gone into cardiac arrest at the fair a few years ago.

“I mean he was gone,” Phelps said.

Now he’s back and working the rides.

“Came for my hug, Gustovo,” Phelps said.

O’Rourke said stories like this are also why some people keep working past retirement age. Purpose isn’t a number, it’s a role.

“I’ve seen a 92-year-old still working as a nurse’s aid. I’ve seen people in my neighborhood chilling out and loving it,” O’Rourke said. “So, I think it’s being really self-aware of what you need and making sure that you’re getting those needs met.”

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Vermont

Vermont lawmakers reject digital lottery initiative – Valley News

Published

24 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Vermont lawmakers reject digital lottery initiative – Valley News

A plan by Gov. Phil Scott’s administration to make all of the state’s lottery games, including scratch-off tickets, available on a person’s phone never got off the ground at the Statehouse this year.

Lottery Commissioner Wendy Knight told lawmakers in January that the plan was a way to modernize the lottery “because you need to keep pace with technology — you need to meet your players where they are.”

Fifteen states have created a “digital” lottery system, and many have discovered there’s a distinct market of people who don’t buy lottery tickets at retail outlets but will do so on their phones, according to Knight. “We’re trying to ensure the future of the Vermont Lottery, ” the commissioner said.

But state lawmakers have not been persuaded.

Vergennes Rep. Matt Birong, the Democratic chair of the House government operations committee, said members of the panel felt this year was not the time to move forward with this plan, especially given the recent legalization of sports betting.

“It is digitizing a current system and after moving forward with the sports wagering — people just wanted to take their time with it — so my committee decided to tap the brakes on further testimony.”

The administration estimated that the plan would have raised roughly $5 million a year for the state’s education fund after two years of implementation.

The prospect of that additional revenue is appealing to lawmakers, and Birong said they may reconsider the plan next year.

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