C-CHANGE Grass2Gas podcast

27:03

Description: Digesters can be complicated, and winter especially offers unique challenges. Join us as we talk to Matt Steinman, Dickinson College Farm energy projects manager, as he talks about the lessons learned from operating the Dickinson digester through its first winter. Then, stay to hear about how this digester project inspired a musical. Here is a link to a recording of the musical on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8uFiAM-sFw&list=PL7I4sqMma0Qe3YKE0xF8wFH8fUoLV7anQ If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu . If you want to learn about all thing’s energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up .…

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Episode 7: The Importance of Implementing Native Grasses on Farms 28:38

16 weeks ago28:38

28:38

With the noticeable pollution of various waterways in the US there has been a lot of talk about how to best protect against this pollution on farms. One of the most promising solutions is implementing native grass strips on fields, on marginal lands or as riparian buffers around waterways. Join us as we talk about the various benefits of using native grasses to protect the ecosystem on farms and how to establish these grasses on your farm successfully. If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu . If you want to learn about all thing’s energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up .…

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Episode 6: The Importance of Life Cycle Assessments for Anaerobic digesters 29:10

22 weeks ago29:10

29:10

Whether it's the need for digesters to prove they are a carbon neutral for the new IRA energy tax credits or to participate in the emerging carbon credit markets, accurate life cycle assessments of digesters are crucial. That is why we brought on Professor Mark Mba-Wright to talk about what life cycle assessments are and how they can show the carbon reductions that digester technologies provide. We also explore the opportunities that exist to make anaerobic digestion projects further carbon negative. If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu . If you want to learn about all things energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up .…

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Episode 5: Updates on Funding Opportunities for Digesters 29:47

25 weeks ago29:47

29:47

There is a lot of uncertainty going into 2025 for some of the most important policies for digesters, including the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and the Rural Energy for America Program that have significantly impacted the digester industry. Policy is an integral part of energy, so we have Joe Conklin from the Penn State Extension Energy Team to discuss the updates for digester funding programs and what questions remain going into 2025. If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu . If you want to learn about all things energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up .…

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Episode 4: The Importance of Chemistry and Data in Improving Digester Performance with Digester Doc 21:12

31 weeks ago21:12

21:12

Operating a digester is difficult, with foaming events and other issues, the chemistry in a digester is obviously important but has still been difficult for farmers and operators to get it right. Well today we’re joined by Will Charlton, owner of Digester Doc who is brining light on how to effectively manage the chemistry in a digester using real time data analysis collected from digesters. Here we discuss the success of this innovative approach, why getting the chemistry right is so important and what this real time data collection could lead to in the future. If you want to learn more about Digester Doc you can use this link: https://www.digesterdoc.com/ If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu . If you want to learn about all things energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up .…

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Episode 3: Economics of a Digester Project 35:24

35 weeks ago35:24

35:24

Join us with our guest William Lazarus Applied agricultural economist from the university of Minnesota as we discuss the economics of a digester project. There is a lot of interest in digesters but with high up front cost there’s a lot to consider before jumping into a project. Here we discuss many of the considerations such as revenue sources, funding a project and what can make the difference between a successful project and an unsuccessful one. William Lazarus also has a free to use digester assessment tool, that can give you an initial look at if a digester might be economical on your farm https://extension.psu.edu/on-farm-digester-assessment-tool . If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu . If you want to learn about all things energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up .…

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Episode 2: Realizing The Potential of Cover Crops & Prairie Grass Through RNG 38:54

39 weeks ago38:54

38:54

Join us as we speak with Professor Emeritus Tom Richard from Penn state’s department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering about the future of RNG in farming. The white paper that he co-authored “Realizing the Full Potential of Winter-Hardy Cover Crops and Prairie Biomass through the Production of Renewable Natural Gas” highlights new pathways for RNG production on farms. These pathways could make RNG more accessible for the average farm while delivering greater environmental and economic benefits to the surrounding communities. If you’re interested a link to the full white paper can be found here chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://prairieprophets.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/RNG-White-Paper.03.08.2024_Final11_jb.pdf If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu . If you want to learn about all things energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up .…

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What is C-CHANGE and Why is it Important? 23:45

44 weeks ago23:45