Producer Success Story – Page 2

Boosting Soil Health: A Walnut Grower’s Success Story with the Healthy Soils Program

February 1, 2025March 6, 2025Posted in Producer Success StoryTagged Healthy Soils Program

Farming practices are rapidly evolving, and sustainability is at the forefront of this transformation. In this case study, we explore how a California walnut grower successfully enhanced soil health, improved water conservation, and reduced pest issues by leveraging the Healthy Soils Program (HSP). Through a strategic combination of composting, mulching, and cover cropping, the grower achieved remarkable results while working to transition his orchard to organic farming.

Overcoming Farming Challenges with the Healthy Soils Program

Farming is never without its challenges, and one walnut grower faced a particularly persistent nematode infestation that was harming his yields. Nematodes are microscopic pests that can significantly damage plants, and one of the grower’s walnut orchard blocks was struggling with their effects. It was also discovered that plants suffering from water stress or nutrient deficiencies are more susceptible to nematode damage. The grower was concerned about building organic matter and soil health in order to transition successfully to organic while building resistance to pests and diseases. At the same time, saving water had become a priority for him, and he was also concerned about the residues from pesticides entering the air and water on his farm.

The Healthy Soils Program’s Impact

Through the Healthy Soils Program, the grower was able to implement several key practices aimed at improving soil health and mitigating the challenges he faced:

Composting: Applying compost to the soil to improve nutrient cycling and enhance carbon sequestration. This was implemented where the nematode problem was most severe.
Mulching: the application of almond shells every fall to reduce evaporation of surface water , while building organic matter in the soil and contributing nutrients like potassium.
Cover cropping was implemented alongside these practices as a preexisting effort.
Additionally, the farmer received technical assistance to optimize the implementation of these practices.

Achieving Results: Healthier Soil, Reduced Pest Infestations, and More Efficient Farming

The combination of these practices produced impressive results:

Compost helped to reduce the nematode infestation: Compost releases nutrients and/or pest regulating compounds that enhance plant resistance to nematode damage and decrease nematode pest populations.
Cover crops helped to reduce the nematode infestation: Nematode-suppressive cover crops provide added value in this case.
Mulching conserved soil moisture and reduced weed pressure. Mulching also regulates soil temperature from extreme conditions that would otherwise adversely impact plant growth and soil organisms.
Both compost and mulching aided the cover crop’s growth.
All of these practices help increase the soil’s water holding capacity through organic amendments and increased root exploration.

The Bigger Picture: Why Soil Health Matters

This case study is an excellent example of how improving soil health can address multiple farming challenges at once. By implementing a Healthy Soils Practices, this walnut grower was able to combat pests, conserve water, reduce reliance on chemicals, and build a foundation for long-term farm sustainability. The Healthy Soils Program provided the technical and financial support needed to make these changes possible, showing that healthy soils are key to a more resilient farming system.

If you’re considering improving your farm’s soil health or transitioning to more sustainable practices, the success of this walnut grower shows that with the right support, it’s possible to create a thriving ecosystem that benefits both your crops and the environment.

Click here to learn more about the Healthy Soils Program and how it can help your farm.

“Organic farming is not easy, but participation in the Healthy Soils Program greatly supported my farm transitioning to an organic system, and helped improve the overall health of the orchard. Another advantage of the mulching and composting is soil nutrient balancing. There is no question about it that my soils have increased fertility and nutrient balance through adding compost and mulch. I am very thankful for the program funding.” – Leonard Loewen, of Loewen Family Farm

Anaerobic Dairy Digester Converts Methane to Renewable Natural Gas in Merced County

January 23, 2025March 12, 2025Posted in Producer Success StoryTagged Methane ReductionLeave a comment

Vander Woude Dairy, a family-owned and operated business in Merced, California, has taken significant strides in sustainable agriculture by implementing a covered lagoon digester for methane capture. Established as a partnership in 2005, the dairy is now predominantly owned by Simon and Christine Vander Woude, who oversee 3,200 Holstein milking cows and 1,750 acres of farmland. In October 2020, Vander Woude Dairy began construction on a covered lagoon digester, part of the innovative Merced-South Cluster developed by Maas Energy Works. The digester became operational in November 2021, marking a new chapter in the dairy’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

The project, funded with over $1.8 million from the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) through California Climate Investments (CCI) and an equal amount of matching funds from Vander Woude Dairy, cost $3.7 million. “The State of California’s proactive support of programs like the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program was instrumental in helping our project get off the ground. Our family run dairy has made consistent environmental improvements over the years, but we were hesitant to take the leap on a large investment in a digester system when the technology was still emerging.  CDFA’s partnership with us and our neighbors helped us take the financial leap and their program has proven to be one of the most effective at enhancing the environmental sustainability of the California dairy industry in recent years,” said Simon Vander Woude.

CDFA forecasted that the digestor to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 18,800 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (MTCO₂e) annually. However, the most recent 12-month data reveals that the dairy exceeded expectations, achieving nearly 24,000 MTCO₂e in reductions and injecting over 73,000 MMBTU of gas into the pipeline. The R-CNG produced by the Vander Woude Dairy Digester is injected into the utility pipeline to be used in large vehicles, qualifying it for credits under the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). These credits incentivize the production and use of low-carbon fuels, providing an additional revenue stream that supports the project’s economic viability while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. These outcomes underscore the digester’s efficiency and its critical role in advancing California’s climate goals.

The Vander Woude Dairy Digester project is a model of sustainable economic development. Utilizing guidance from the Sacramento Regional Research Institute (SRRI), the project created 44 jobs—27 direct and 17 indirect—during its construction phase. These positions spanned various industries, including construction, operations, and related services, contributing an additional $825,858 in economic output for every $1 million spent.

Moreover, the project team partnered with Proteus Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to empowering disadvantaged communities in the San Joaquin Valley. Proteus facilitated local hiring, ensuring that 85% of piping contracts were fulfilled by residents near the project site. Training programs specific to renewable energy provided opportunities for individuals to develop skills aligned with California’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.

*Merced Hub, pictures is Tommy Souza, Plant Operator*

“For our family farm, ‘sustainability’ means doing more with less. Our dairy is the host of a hub-and-spoke model of methane digesters in Merced County, and all the dairies that send their gas to this hub are family farms. My wife, children, and I are laser-focused on efficient operations, producing milk with less impact to our climate,” said Simon Vander Woude.

By aligning with state and regional initiatives, the Vander Woude Dairy Digester embodies California’s vision for a sustainable agricultural future. Its innovative approach not only satisfies the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also fosters economic growth and empowers the local community, setting a benchmark for dairy operations nationwide.

First of Its Kind Fuel Cell Project Generating Electricity from Dairy Waste in Fresno County

January 1, 2025March 12, 2025Posted in Producer Success StoryLeave a comment

Bar 20 Dairy, a Shehadey family-owned and operated business in Fresno County, received $3 million in funding from the state incentive Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) in 2019, to implement a dairy digester to capture methane. The California Bioenergy dairy digester and Bloom Energy fuel cell technology have been installed at Bar 20 Dairy and are now capturing methane and generating renewable electricity without combustion.

*California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross speaking at the Bar 20 ribbon-cutting ceremony.*

“When I was young, my grandfather told me that we make milk for people’s children,” said Steve Shehadey, owner of the dairy farm. “That has always stuck with us on the farm. We can’t offer anything but our best to the children and the families who buy our milk. Today, that also means doing what we can to help clean the San Joaquin Valley air and to be part of a climate solution.” 

Data collected over the year after its implementation show that the installation of a dairy digester has helped the dairy cut emissions by nearly 374,390 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent. This first-of-its-kind fuel cell technology is powering BMW electric vehicles throughout California providing clean power to over 17,000 EVs per year, as well as an onsite microgrid for dairy operations. This new innovative technology provides critical methane reductions to help the state meet its climate goals and provide local air quality benefits while furthering the State’s ambitious clean transportation goals.

“Digesters are a great solution to address climate issues in California. This project would not have been possible without the DDRDP grant. The dairy is now working with H2B2 to provide additional dairy biogas to produce renewable electricity that is used in the production of hydrogen transportation fuel”, said Steve Shehadey, owner of the dairy farm.

The Shehadey’s consider this project to be one of several ongoing investments in climate-smart dairy farm practices. The dairy also continues to adopt new strategies to ensure the best possible animal health and comfort.  In 2020, the dairy began implementing an electric feed mixing system that significantly reduced the use of diesel for daily activities, to improve air quality. Barns are lighted with 100 percent LED bulbs, and electricity needs are offset by a two-megawatt, on-site solar array. By supplying milk to the Producers Dairy Foods plant, the farm provides fresh milk daily that helps nourish local communities.