An Organic Dairy Farm Powered by… Cow Poop!

This is a guest post.

A California company famous for its dairy products is putting its cows to work in a new way! In 1994, the STRAUS FAMILY CREAMERY became the first 100% organic creamery in the nation. But now, they’re working to save the planet. Albert Straus, a pioneer in organic dairy and sustainable agriculture, has launched the first full-scale electric truck — powered by cow poop.

In 2004 the owner created a system that collects liquefied cow manure in a holding pond that captures the methane – which is considered a harmful greenhouse gas -and uses it to fuel a generator to produce enough electricity for the entire farm as well as their new full-scale electric feed truck. The truck measures, mixes and hauls feed before dropping it into the trough for his nearly 300 organic dairy cows. Its motor is charged from electrical power generated from methane gas produced by the cows’ own waste, making it an environmentally-friendly alternative to diesel-fueled trucks. Ultimately, Straus is working towards getting his farm off fossil fuels entirely.

“What I’ve tried to do is create a sustainable organic farming model that is good for the earth, the soil, the animals, and the people working on these farms, and helps revitalize rural communities,” said Albert Straus, CEO and founder of Straus Family Creamery. “My electric feed truck is not only a practical tool for my organic farm. It is also a symbol of the resourcefulness we need to fight climate change, which threatens our business and the future of American farming.”

Working with the Marin Carbon Project, his 500-acre organic farm is California’s first dairy to develop a 20-year carbon farming plan to sequester 2,000 metric tons of carbon every year.  For more about Straus Family Creamery, check out www.strausfamilycreamery.com