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Green is the Color of "Cow Power"

By Janet Kubat Willette - Agri News staff writer

PRINCETON, Minn. -- Haubenschild Farm relies on cow power.

The three-generation, 436-cow dairy farm generates its electricity on-site through a plug-flow digester.

Marsha and Dennis Haubenschild operate the dairy farm with their children, Tom and Heather Haubenschild and Bryan and Jill Haubenschild. Dennis' parents, Donald and Myrtle, are also involved.

Marsha said they considered environmental, social and economic issues before deciding to install a digester. They wanted to reduce the odor from their dairy operation, while keeping the manure as a usable by-product to apply to their fields. Generating "green power" and reducing the state's reliance on coal was another factor.

"We've always tried to be an environmentally sound farm," she said. "You have to be good stewards of the land."

Things started coming together after they met with Minnesota Project staff.

The Haubenschilds found out about the Minnesota Project during the application process for a Board of Water and Soil Resources grant, Marsha said.

Although they were denied a BSWR grant, the person they were working with put them in touch with the Minnesota Project, she said.

Project staff then put them in contact with the Commerce Department, where they found out about a grant program that would help them install a digester on their farm.

The Commerce Department awarded them a $50,000 grant and the Agriculture Department contributed $150,000 in a zero-interest loan. They also received a $75,000 grant from the Office of Environmental Assistance. The OEA grant is evenly split between the Haubenschilds and the Minnesota Project, Marsha said. The digester's total cost was about $295,000.

The Minnesota Project will use the money in educational efforts and also to document the digester process at Haubenschild Farms.

A recent series of field days, attended by about 600 people, was part of the educational process.

"This is not a turn-key operation," said Diane Jensen, Minnesota Project director. "The concept is old, but the technology is new. This system is expensive always the first technology is expensive."

The Minnesota Project works to keep rural Minnesota vital, Jensen said. The non-profit organization focuses its efforts where the economy and environment come together, she said. For example, the Minnesota Project was a strong supporter of wind energy at Buffalo Ridge.

"We see that as one of those win-wins," Jensen said.

Although the Minnesota Project normally works with smaller farms, the methane digester project at the Haubenschild Farm seemed like a good fit, she said. The Minnesota Project is coordinating efforts between the many agencies and organizations conducting research at the farm.

"Priority one is to make this work for Dennis (Haubenschild)," she said. "This is not a pilot project for them. This is their life.

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