Sheland Farms producing renewable energy

ELLISBURG, N.Y. -- Sheland Farms is the first farm in Northern New York that is now producing renewable energy with an Anaerobic Digester. Tuesday both local and state officials were on hand to discuss the project.

"And that was no easy task and it was a task that was completed with a great deal of partnership," said Jim Wright, (R) Senator - Watertown

Owner of Sheland Farms, Doug Shelmidine says the million dollar project took over five years to complete. But what exactly is an Anaerobic Digester? Shelmidine explains.

"Well basically what we're doing here is we're taking cow pop and we're making it into power. We're on one hand doing that. We're putting it in a big tank, heating it up and we're letting the microbes and bacteria grow and they release methane and then we're taking that methane gas and burning it in an engine set, powering a generator and creating power," said Doug Shelmidine, Owner of Sheland Farms.

And not just renewable energy, the digester also produces bedding for the farms 550 dairy cows. Before the digester went on line Sheland Farms was spending 45-thousand dollars just on bedding for the cows and about 40-thousand in overall electric costs. Now that money can be spent here locally.

Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets, Patrick Hooker says this type of project shows the rest of the country what New York State can do.

"So were producing this wonderful product that we need milk and at the same time you know with a little added technology we're able to provide energy as well and have a more environmentally sustainable system. It's a really nice almost close loop. Benefits, benefits, benefits all the way around this," said Patrick Hooker, Commissioner of the Department of Ags & Markets.

The project also helps the farm reduce it's dependency on foreign oil and improve it's crop production. There are nine other Anaerobic Digester's online in New York State.