Transitioning Minnesota Farms to Local Energy

Production agriculture’s dependence on fossil fuel energy carries significant economic and ecological risks. The energy consumed within livestock facilities alone is the equivalent consumption of several large cities, and agriculture currently contributes approximately 14% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the state. As consumers increasingly demand low carbon footprint products, adoption of clean energy systems in crop and livestock production would position Minnesota’s agricultural sector with a competitive advantage. While Minnesota farmers have historically adopted technology to more efficiently use resources and optimize production, implementation of clean energy technologies on farms has been slow to date and farmers continue to opt for conventional fossil-based energy. In response to this, researchers at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center are using this appropriation to develop, test, and evaluate options for clean energy systems for modern swine production facilities and conduct associated outreach to increase adoption of clean energy systems at these facilities.