Case Studies: Foster Brothers Farm
Robert Foster
Foster Brothers Farm
Vermont Natural AG Products
Middlebury, Vermont
Foster Brothers Farm was started in the 1930's by the great-grandfather of today's owners, Robert and Jim. Always innovators, the Foster's farm was the first in Vermont (and one of the first in the nation) to install an anaerobic (methane) digester. In 1982 they began relying on their own cows' manure to provide fuel for running an electrical generator. The methane/diesel generator they now have uses about 70% methane and 30% diesel and powers the entire dairy complex, as well as the farm's three houses. Their crops today include mixed hay silage, dry hay in bales, and up to 160 acres of soybeans used for livestock feed. The experience and know-how they've gained from producing soy for feed could easily be applied to biodiesel feedstock (oil) production.
Another major source of revenue for the farm is their "Moo Doo" brand of composted soil amendments that they produce and distribute throughout the Northeast. In 2003, income from their compost business grew to the point where it rivaled their income from the 7.8 million pounds of milk produced and sold that year.
Robert began to look at alternatives to petroleum fuels many years ago and now that he's become familiar with biodiesel, is inspired to eventually close the loop on energy production within the farm operation. He's motivated by the fact that they already have the land base to grow the seed crops, and as a member of a national group called "25 by 25", whose target is to achieve 25% of domestic energy production from agriculture by the year 2025, he's examined viable ways of reaching that goal and sees biodiesel as important among them.
Before they actively start producing crops for biofuels, Robert and others on the farm are studying the economics of production and examining issues such as fuel supply, storage capacity, and the effect of cold temperatures on biodiesel viscosity. Robert is a charter member and active board member of the Vermont Biofuels Association, and he feels strongly that local agriculture ought to be involved in the biofuels production process. The community benefits would ultimately be broad in range and he believes it just makes good sense. He hopes that there will be continuing legislation in the state to support energy initiatives that include not only biodiesel, but solar and wind as well.
Foster Brothers Farm uses about 18,000 gallons of diesel for off-road equipment and another 14,000 gallons of fuel for the Moo Doo truck alone. Robert anticipates that all the mechanical equipment and trucks will eventually be using a B20 blend.
Despite the hurdles yet to be crossed, Robert is optimistic about the future of local agriculture using and producing biodiesel and other renewable sources of energy. Foster Brothers Farm has already demonstrated their success at recycling existing waste into usable energy and value-added products, and biodiesel seems poised to become the next challenge they take on.