I agree with the idea that other farmers can utilize this amazing energy source. Not only can other dairy farms benefit from the use of cow power but also the large beef farms out west can fuel there own businesses as well as produce a more Eco-friendly product. This was an awesome movie and I'm very interested to see if this can be applied in my own area back in Massachusetts.
What a powerful movie; it was such a nice additional component to my site visit to the Blue Spruce Farm. David Dunn has contributed to Vermont's farmers and the environment in remarkable ways. Let's maximizeour use of natural and renewable waste rather than rely on expensive, non-renewable, and environmentally damaging resources. All aboard for Cow Power!
Being a Vermont native I was aware of cow power but had no idea that it was as advanced and widely used as it is. I had also not heard of the option to run your business completely or partially on cow power. Another thing I learned from the video was the idea of Carbon credits you can buy to counteract you company’s pollution. I also heard several farmers in the film talking about “Being able to feed the new population of 9 billion” which is directly opposite the main themes of Ishmael. Some questions I have are, with Vermont as a test state, will the methane become the new fuel? Why are they only focusing on dairy farms, why not beef farms or even human waste?
I was aware of this technology, but this was a great movie highlighting and bringing awareness to the technology. I find the idea of converting byproducts/disposing of byproducts from production and other areas in a positive, constructive, and eco-friendly manner to be of particular interest. Complete reformation of the current societal machine may seem daunting, but if we focus on each problem, and handle the issues presented to us by the current model, if we retool and refocus efforts on making current models sustainable and eco-friendly, we will be taking steps in the right direction. What works in one place, may not work in another- so localized, specialized efforts are essential for success.
Before this class i wasn't aware that "cow power" even existed, even though the technology was present since the 1970s. I believe thats because of how expensive digestors are, as they they can cost around a million dollars to install. Money that dairy farms simply couldnt accumulate. That is until Green Mountain Power initiated grants such as the "clean energy development fund" and the "renewable energy fund." These grants made it possible for farms such as Audets to build digestors and ultimately better their direct ecosystem. Electricity created from Audets farm specifically powered around 500 homes in the immediate area. Additionally, preventing runoff, creating clean fertilizer, and even bedding for the cows. Even though cow power seems completely sustainable, farms were still struggling with fluctuating dairy prices and a tough economy. Therefore selling the energy they create to local Vermont businesses such as Long Trail, Vermont clothing company, handy toyota and Green Mountain College allows Audets to basically become 100 percent sustainable. This process also benefits business`s because the more clean energy they purchase brings them closer to becoming "carbon neutral." Now Vermont boasts the most digestors out of any state in the entire united states, and more are being built. I think Cow Power is a fantastic practice that not only benefits the farm but locals and benefactors as well.
Being from Vermont I have known about Cow Power for quite a while. I have visited the Audet Farm previously in high school as well as know some of the family. But while visiting the farm with Jamie and talking with Marie, you could see the passion that she has gained about the farm as well as Cow Power. To see the passion that she has and the passion that she is passing on to other families who have been using Cow Power as well as purchasing methane digesters is great. This is one step to sustainability. After just reading the Chapters in our book Environmental Ethics it makes me relate this to Cow Power because if we really do owe people of the future generations I think that Cow Power is a great thing to pass on to them and to think about what else the future generations could do with Cow Power or what else they could do on top of Cow Power. If we have used ethics and the science and technology that we have today to come up with Cow Power what else can be done? I find this video very informational and very well put together by this group of students at Emerson College. I would say that yes people know about Cow Power but aren't very educated on Cow Power and by getting the word out I think there would be a lot more people that would love to purchase Cow Power to support these farms that are making an effort to be not only environmentally friendly but sustainable.
First things first - as a production student I really like the way the producers put together the film. They interspersed the interviews with good visuals that really helped make a better understanding of what the people were talking about and it had really good flow. I always appreciate seeing good work.
The thing I find most interesting about cow power is that nothing seems to go to waste during the process. The manure is collected on a conveyer belt and brought to a unit where it can be processed and digested. Then some product is turned into electricity and the extra manure is turned into useful byproducts.
This whole idea around cow power is completely new to me. I liked how the video was simple enough to teach me but informative enough so that I know what the problems are revolving around this issue. It also kept my attention because it was entertaining.
Up until taking this class I had no idea that a thing such as "cow power" even existed. I think this new form of energy is amazing and though it may be pricy, I think it should be considered as a viable option. The makers of this film really did a nice job making this movie, I felt like I actually knew the people they were interviewing. I also found it really heartwarming how bigger businesses like Long Trail and Toyota were willing to help out their local communities even if it meant having to pay a little extra. I also found it fascinating that every part of the cow power process was sustainable, whether it was through the production of energy or the bedding for the cows. Overall I really liked this film and think that more people need to be informed of "cow power".
I agree with the idea that other farmers can utilize this amazing energy source. Not only can other dairy farms benefit from the use of cow power but also the large beef farms out west can fuel there own businesses as well as produce a more Eco-friendly product. This was an awesome movie and I'm very interested to see if this can be applied in my own area back in Massachusetts.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful movie; it was such a nice additional component to my site visit to the Blue Spruce Farm. David Dunn has contributed to Vermont's farmers and the environment in remarkable ways. Let's maximizeour use of natural and renewable waste rather than rely on expensive, non-renewable, and environmentally damaging resources. All aboard for Cow Power!
ReplyDeleteBeing a Vermont native I was aware of cow power but had no idea that it was as advanced and widely used as it is. I had also not heard of the option to run your business completely or partially on cow power. Another thing I learned from the video was the idea of Carbon credits you can buy to counteract you company’s pollution. I also heard several farmers in the film talking about “Being able to feed the new population of 9 billion” which is directly opposite the main themes of Ishmael. Some questions I have are, with Vermont as a test state, will the methane become the new fuel? Why are they only focusing on dairy farms, why not beef farms or even human waste?
ReplyDeleteI was aware of this technology, but this was a great movie highlighting and bringing awareness to the technology. I find the idea of converting byproducts/disposing of byproducts from production and other areas in a positive, constructive, and eco-friendly manner to be of particular interest. Complete reformation of the current societal machine may seem daunting, but if we focus on each problem, and handle the issues presented to us by the current model, if we retool and refocus efforts on making current models sustainable and eco-friendly, we will be taking steps in the right direction. What works in one place, may not work in another- so localized, specialized efforts are essential for success.
ReplyDeleteBefore this class i wasn't aware that "cow power" even existed, even though the technology was present since the 1970s. I believe thats because of how expensive digestors are, as they they can cost around a million dollars to install. Money that dairy farms simply couldnt accumulate. That is until Green Mountain Power initiated grants such as the "clean energy development fund" and the "renewable energy fund." These grants made it possible for farms such as Audets to build digestors and ultimately better their direct ecosystem. Electricity created from Audets farm specifically powered around 500 homes in the immediate area. Additionally, preventing runoff, creating clean fertilizer, and even bedding for the cows. Even though cow power seems completely sustainable, farms were still struggling with fluctuating dairy prices and a tough economy. Therefore selling the energy they create to local Vermont businesses such as Long Trail, Vermont clothing company, handy toyota and Green Mountain College allows Audets to basically become 100 percent sustainable. This process also benefits business`s because the more clean energy they purchase brings them closer to becoming "carbon neutral." Now Vermont boasts the most digestors out of any state in the entire united states, and more are being built. I think Cow Power is a fantastic practice that not only benefits the farm but locals and benefactors as well.
ReplyDeleteBeing from Vermont I have known about Cow Power for quite a while. I have visited the Audet Farm previously in high school as well as know some of the family. But while visiting the farm with Jamie and talking with Marie, you could see the passion that she has gained about the farm as well as Cow Power. To see the passion that she has and the passion that she is passing on to other families who have been using Cow Power as well as purchasing methane digesters is great. This is one step to sustainability. After just reading the Chapters in our book Environmental Ethics it makes me relate this to Cow Power because if we really do owe people of the future generations I think that Cow Power is a great thing to pass on to them and to think about what else the future generations could do with Cow Power or what else they could do on top of Cow Power. If we have used ethics and the science and technology that we have today to come up with Cow Power what else can be done? I find this video very informational and very well put together by this group of students at Emerson College. I would say that yes people know about Cow Power but aren't very educated on Cow Power and by getting the word out I think there would be a lot more people that would love to purchase Cow Power to support these farms that are making an effort to be not only environmentally friendly but sustainable.
ReplyDeleteFirst things first - as a production student I really like the way the producers put together the film. They interspersed the interviews with good visuals that really helped make a better understanding of what the people were talking about and it had really good flow. I always appreciate seeing good work.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I find most interesting about cow power is that nothing seems to go to waste during the process. The manure is collected on a conveyer belt and brought to a unit where it can be processed and digested. Then some product is turned into electricity and the extra manure is turned into useful byproducts.
This whole idea around cow power is completely new to me. I liked how the video was simple enough to teach me but informative enough so that I know what the problems are revolving around this issue. It also kept my attention because it was entertaining.
Up until taking this class I had no idea that a thing such as "cow power" even existed. I think this new form of energy is amazing and though it may be pricy, I think it should be considered as a viable option. The makers of this film really did a nice job making this movie, I felt like I actually knew the people they were interviewing. I also found it really heartwarming how bigger businesses like Long Trail and Toyota were willing to help out their local communities even if it meant having to pay a little extra. I also found it fascinating that every part of the cow power process was sustainable, whether it was through the production of energy or the bedding for the cows. Overall I really liked this film and think that more people need to be informed of "cow power".
ReplyDelete