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As of June 2024, there are approximately 400 manure-based anaerobic digestion systems operating on farms in the United States. This number comes from the EPA’s AgSTAR program, which tracks biogas recovery in the agriculture sector.
Here’s a breakdown of some key information regarding agricultural digesters in the US:
* Growth Over Time: The number of on-farm anaerobic digester systems has steadily increased since 2000. In 2021, there were 322 operational systems. The recent growth is linked to increased demand for renewable fuel due to carbon credit trading and incentive programs.
* Types of Farms: Dairy farms lead in the adoption of digester technology. As of June 2024, 366 projects focused solely on dairy manure. Medium-sized dairies (1,001-5,000 cows) have the highest number of projects.
* Geographic Distribution: California has the highest number of agricultural digesters, with 139 operational or under construction as of June 2024. Wisconsin (43), New York (38), Pennsylvania (30), and North Carolina (15) follow.
* Digester Types: The most common digester system technologies on US farms are covered lagoons, plug flow, and complete mix. The type used often depends on the farm’s manure management practices and the type of animal manure.
* Biogas Use: The biogas produced by these digesters is used for various purposes, including generating electricity, fueling boilers or furnaces, and producing compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicle fuel or injection into pipelines.
* Benefits of Agricultural Digesters:
* Reduce methane emissions from manure.
* Generate renewable energy.
* Help manage nutrients.
* Reduce odors from manure.
* Create additional revenue streams for farmers through energy sales and environmental incentives.
The EPA’s AgSTAR program is a valuable resource for information and data on anaerobic digesters in the US agricultural sector. Their database provides details on farm-based projects, and they offer various tools and resources for those interested in implementing this technology.

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