Past Events Related to Anaerobic Digestion on Livestock Farms

This page lists past industry events related to anaerobic digestion on livestock farms.

Anaerobic Digestion on the Farm Conference: Optimizing Environmental and Economic Outcomes for Rural Communities and Beyond
November 6-8, 2023

EPA Region 7, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa co-hosted a regionally focused conference on anaerobic digestion (AD) in agriculture. The event aimed to bring together farmers, policy makers, project developers, scientists, and other stakeholders to discuss solutions for the challenges facing those operating an AD facility or interested in owning and operating one.

Purdue Extension Manure Management and Utilization Technologies: Anaerobic Digestion Topics Part 1
Thursday October 20, 2022

This online workshop is intended for livestock and poultry producers, crop growers, current and potential AD users, manure haulers, extension workers, and other interested parties. Workshop objectives are to: (1) share successful experiences in manure management and utilization, (2) discuss safety measures in manure management, and (3) showcase potential new technologies in manure management and utilization.

BIOGAS AMERICAS: Renewable Gas Conference
May 23-26 in Las Vegas, NV

BIOGAS AMERICAS is organized by the American Biogas Council – a trade association of the biogas industry. The conference will cover the latest developments in the biogas industry and is relevant for project developers, equipment suppliers, service providers, operators, investors, utilities, and policy-makers.

Purdue Extension Manure Management and Utilization Technologies: Testing, Mitigation, Application, and Opportunity
Thursday April 7, 2022

This online workshop is intended for livestock and poultry producers, crop growers, current and potential AD users, manure haulers, extension workers, and other interested parties. Workshop objectives are to: (1) share successful experiences in manure management and utilization, (2) discuss safety measures in manure management, and (3) showcase potential new technologies in manure management and utilization.

Purdue Extension Manure Management and Utilization Technologies – New Approaches
Thursday February 3, 2022
This online workshop was intended for livestock and poultry producers, crop growers, current and potential AD users, manure haulers, extension workers, and other interested parties. Workshop objectives are to: (1) share successful experiences in manure management and utilization, (2) discuss safety measures in manure management, and (3) showcase potential new technologies in manure management and utilization.View Workshop Flyer (pdf)

Online Workshop Manure Management and Utilization Technologies – Possibilities and Applications
November 4, 2021
This online workshop was intended for livestock and poultry producers, crop growers, current and potential AD users, manure haulers, extension workers, and other interested parties. Workshop objectives were to: (1) share successful experiences in manure management and utilization, (2) discuss safety measures in manure management, and (3) showcase potential new technologies in manure management and utilization.
Agenda (pdf)

Biogas Americas Live
American Biogas Council (ABC), sessions held virtually Tuesdays and Thursdays September 10th to October 1st, 2020.

Cornell Anaerobic Digestion Short Course
January 15th and 16th, 2020 in Ithaca, NY.
The Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Science's (CALS) PRO-DAIRY Program offered an Anaerobic Digestion Process Fundamentals and Management for Agricultural, Food Processing, Industrial, and Municipal Operations Short Course. Session topics included:

  • Dairy Manure
  • Food Waste Management
  • Nutrient Management
  • Closed Loop AD Projects
  • Odor Reduction
  • Estimation of Methane Gas Potential from Feedstocks

BioCycle REFOR19
October 28-31, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin
The event included a pre-conference workshop on “Developing Successful RNG Projects” as well as concurrent technical sessions, exhibits, and site tours that provided hands-on information and tools to position companies or organizations for success in anaerobic digestion, composting, and food recovery and recycling. Session topics included:

  • Biogas Project Financing
  • Optimizing AD Operations
  • Digester Development Models
  • Food Waste Management
  • Renewable Natural Gas
  • Nutrient Management Innovations
  • Closed Loop AD Projects

2019 Renewable Natural Gas Workshop
September 24, 2019 in Reno, Nevada
The third annual Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Workshop, co-hosted by U.S. EPA and AGA, provided a forum to discuss RNG topics affecting gas utility operations.

Waste to Worth 2019
April 22-26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Waste to Worth brought together the nation’s best science on animal agriculture and the environment with innovative outreach, opportunities to meet and network with others who are passionate about agriculture and sustainability, and chances to interact with multidisciplinary specialists in a collaborative atmosphere.

Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance: Phosphorus Forum 2019
April 5, 2019 in Washington, DC
Stockholm Water Prize co-recipient Professor Bruce Rittmann provided the keynote at this day-long knowledge-sharing and networking event. Participants included scientists, NGOs focused on water quality issues, nutrient recovery technology companies, fertilizer manufacturers, food producers, water utilities, farm consultants, government regulators, agricultural suppliers, phosphate mining companies, and others.

BioCycle West Coast19
April 1-4, 2019 in Portland, Oregon
This four-day conference included workshops, conference sessions, and site tours. Experts addressed challenges and solutions to catalyze organics recycling, including the business and logistics of renewable natural gas from AD facilities. Topics included biogas and digestate markets, best management practices for composting and AD facilities, contaminant management, and program development.

Rethink Methane Symposium
February 26-27, 2019 in Sacramento, California
Stakeholders from the bioenergy, natural gas, solar, wind, hydrogen, and fuel cell industries met for this annual policy forum about the role renewable gas can play in helping California achieve its air quality and climate objectives, sustainably manage its organic waste, and accelerate market development for renewable power. The “Latest ‘Moo-vement’ on Dairy Digester Development” presentation informed participants about how dairy industry leaders are collaborating with government stakeholders, energy producers, and developers to advance progressive manure management initiatives that mitigate greenhouse gases, while creating new revenue streams for dairies and producing carbon-negative natural gas for transportation fuel, heat and power.

Midwest Manure Summit
February 27, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin
This one-day conference highlighted many of the newest technologies and practices in manure handling and provided opportunities for participants to network with farmers, industry, and university attendees.

The Power of Organic Waste: Opportunities for RNG in New York
November 19, 2018, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
In collaboration with academic, industry, government and non-governmental organization partners, Energy Vision hosted a free, half-day workshop in Saratoga Springs, New York on the production and use in New York of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) made from organic waste, with a focus on agricultural, municipal and food processing wastes.

BioCycle REFOR18
October 15-19, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina
The 18th Annual BioCycle Conference on Renewable Energy from Organics Recycling focused on anaerobic digestion, production of power, fuel and soil amendments, food waste management and composting.

Digester Operator Training Course
June 19-21, 2018 at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
During this in-person, hands-on digester operator training course, participants learned from top experts how to increase biogas production, digestate quality, and revenue, and how to avoid costly, time-consuming, and smelly mistakes. Each day consisted of morning classroom time followed by an afternoon field trip to a digester. Digester types included dry, continuous, and plug flow. Attendees turned valves and practiced operating a digester and performed routine maintenance and repairs while learning from the operations team. Instructors representing UW-Oshkosh and American Biogas Council shared tips and information to improve decisions made about digesters for optimal operation and participants also learned how to recognize warning signs to avoid costly problems or catch potential problems sooner.

The Power of Organic Waste: Renewable Gas for New York
June 6, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York
Energy Vision, National Grid and government, industry and NGO partners co-hosted a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) workshop on the production and use of renewable natural gas (RNG) as an ultra-low-carbon energy and fuel source made from decomposing organic waste.

Wisconsin Biogas Roundtable
May 23, 2018 from 1:30 - 4:30 pm at the Premier Park Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin
The roundtable was a stakeholder forum created to identify opportunities to collaborate with biogas stakeholders to expand biogas technologies, generation, and uses in Wisconsin. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in an optional site tour to the Dane County Landfill before the roundtable from 9:00 – 11:30 am. The goals of the roundtable were to:

  • Provide a neutral resource for businesses and consumers to be apprised of the current state of play of the national and local biogas markets.
  • Explore the long-term opportunities biogas can provide to Wisconsin’s agriculture and manufacturing industries, schools, and commercial projects.
  • Investigate opportunities and mechanisms for identifying and securing reliable feedstock supplies.
  • Investigate financial mechanisms for financing biogas including state and federal incentives.

BioCycle West Coast18
March 26-29, 2018 in San Diego, California
The theme of this symposium was Accelerating Organics Recycling. Sessions and speakers focused on topics that included compost manufacturing, anaerobic digestion, food recovery and recycling, compost, biogas and digestate markets, and climate enterprise opportunities.

Nutrient Recovery and Digester Summit
January 23, 2018 in South Burlington, Vermont
The Nutrient Recovery and Digester Summit, which was hosted by Vermont's Agency of Agriculture, Foods & Markets in collaboration with the U.S. EPA's AgSTAR program, provided an opportunity for farmers, food waste producers, digester vendors and others to develop partnerships and discuss potential projects. Attendees visited with exhibitors, participated in a digester feasibility forum, and toured the Magic Hat Brewery digester after the main event. This 1-day event featured presentations and panel discussions led by industry leaders about the following three topic areas:

  • Nutrient recovery and nutrient management
  • Organics diversion to anaerobic digesters
  • Anaerobic digesters

RNG 2017 - North America's Renewable Natural Gas Conference
November 27-30, 2017 in Dana Point, California
RNG 2017, a premier public policy and education conference hosted by the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, addressed using RNG to achieve corporate sustainability objectives; complying with federal, state and provincial policy requirements; and increasing energy independence and access to domestic, renewable, clean fuel and energy supplies.

US Biogas 2017
October 25-26, 2017 in San Diego, California
This 2-day national biogas conference focused on the growing biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG) market in the United States. The agenda featured sessions about regulatory and policy developments, gas-to-grid interconnection, the RNG transportation fuel revolution, and case studies.

BioCycle REFOR17
October 16-19, 2017 in Portland, Oregon
This national biogas conference offered hands-on information and tools to position companies or organizations for success in anaerobic digestion, biogas markets, composting, manure, food waste, and renewable fuels. The event featured plenary and technical sessions, an exhibit hall, a site tour, and workshops. The conference was also the official conference of the American Biogas Council.

Renewable Natural Gas Workshop
September 26, 2017 in Broomfield, Colorado
This one-day workshop, organized into 3 sessions, provided information about how biogas from renewable sources is upgraded to natural gas pipeline quality and received by natural gas utilities for distribution and use by their customers. The workshop furthered the dialogue and helped foster partnerships amongst players in the natural gas and biogas industries.

2017 International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) World Congress
September 25-27, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland
The World Congress, organized by the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) was held at the same time and location as the WASTECON® event, organized by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Both events provided opportunities to learn what’s new in collection, processing, marketing and management of compost, recyclables and solid waste.

BioCycle East Coast17
April 4-7, 2017 in Ellicott City, Maryland
This event offered hands-on information and tools to position companies or organizations for success in composting, organics recycling, anaerobic digestion, food recovery and recycling. The event featured more than 90 speakers, an exhibit hall, site tours of organics recycling facilities, and workshops.

Midwest Manure Summit
February 22-23, 2017 in Green Bay, WI

View AgSTAR's presentation: On-farm Anaerobic Digestion in the U.S. (Nick Elger, EPA AgSTAR)

The 2017 Midwest Manure Summit was held at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Topics on the agenda included:

  • Manure processing technologies
  • University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh digesters — keys to success
  • Dairy cattle feed efficiency impacts on manure nutrients
  • Manure irrigation practices
  • Human health risks due to airborne pathogens during spray irrigation
  • Dairy manure and human wastewater contamination
  • Antibiotic use in animal agriculture
  • Manure economics and application decisions
  • Hydrogen sulfide connections between manure and people
  • Manure gas and safe practices with gypsum bedded dairies
  • Preventing manure spills

Midwest Manure Pre-Summit
February 21, 2017 in Green Bay, WI
This 1-day event preceded the 2-day Midwest Manure Summit. The agenda included an educational program divided into two tracks:

  • Track A: Wisconsin Anaerobic Digester Pre-Summit Program
  • Track B: Developing Safety Plans for Manure Storage and Handling Systems

AgSTAR participated in Track A.

Rethink Methane
February 21-22, 2017 in Sacramento, California
On the first day, the symposium featured leaders from the bioenergy, hydrogen, fuel cell, solar, wind, and natural gas industries who discussed barriers and solutions to harness California’s renewable methane feedstocks, including dairy manure. An off-site tour was conducted on the second day.

RNG 2016: Fuel, Heat, Power & Policy Conference
December 5-7, 2016 in San Diego, California
This premier public policy and education conference, hosted by the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas. RNG 2016 commemorated the 5th Anniversary of the RNG Coalition and the RNG Fuel, Heat, Power & Policy Conference.

German American Bio Energy Business Conference
November 1, 2016 in Atlanta, GA
The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., Inc. hosted this conference to present new technologies and best practices to convert organic waste into energy. Keynote speakers included decision makers representing German and American companies as well as representatives from leading research institutions, government agencies and industry associations.

BioCycle REFOR16
October 17-20, 2016 in Orlando, FL
AgSTAR actively participated in this premiere conference about anaerobic digestion, production of power, fuel and soil amendments, food waste management and composting. In addition to sponsoring an exhibit, AgSTAR organized a session about the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap.

Biogas West Coast 2016
October 10-11, 2016 in San Diego, CA
This conference was attended by more than 150 senior anaerobic digestion and renewable natural gas executives, and several exhibitors. The agenda included topics related to agriculture and livestock waste management and energy recovery.

Rethink Methane Symposium 2016
June 29-30, 2016 in Sacramento, CA
Organized by Gladstein, Neandross & Associates, this symposium focused on how California can meet its emission reduction goals through the generation and use of renewable methane. Sessions and speakers focused on topics that included improving air quality and climate protection through the use of renewable methane, integrating renewable methane into California’s natural gas pipeline infrastructure, increasing California’s independence from fossil fuels, and opportunities and obstacles for renewable methane from the state legislature, industry, and the developer community perspectives.

AgSTAR Workshops/Conferences

  • 2014 AgSTAR National Workshop, April 7, 2014, San Diego, California
  • 2013 AgSTAR National Conference, June 10-12, 2013, Indianapolis, Indiana

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Last updated on December 12, 2023