# Two Farmers Going Really Green! - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/01/local-goat-farms-commitment-to-sustainable-practices-achieves-green-certification/ - Published: 2020-01-12T00:13:18-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy Local Goat Farm’s Commitment to Sustainable Practices Achieves Green Certification Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery announced they achieved a recognition. One as a Sonoma County Green Business environmental leader. The Sonoma Green Business Program is part of the Sonoma County Economic Development Board. This is also a partnership of government agencies and utilities. They help assist, recognize and promote local organizations. Those focusing on small to medium-sized consumer-oriented businesses. All that voluntarily operate in environmentally responsible ways. Certified participants must also be in compliance. I mean with all environmental regulations. As well as meet program standards for conserving resources. All the while preventing pollution and minimizing waste. Especially and all the while demonstrating goodwill in the community. #### ![Local goat farms commitment to sustainable practices achieves green certification](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/pexels-photo-58914.jpg?resize=150%2C150&quality=52&ssl=1 "pexels-photo-58914 - The Green Living Guy") This is not the first time the company has been recognized. I mean as a responsible business owner. In 2009, it received a Best Practices Award. That’s for its use of environmentally sound business practices. Moreover that award came from the Business Environmental Alliance of Sonoma County. Redwood Hill Farm also holds the distinction of being the first goat dairy in the United States to be Certified Humane®, which is considered the ‘gold standard’ in third-party certification for humane animal treatment. In addition to using solar power to provide energy for both the family farm and creamery where its award-winning products are made, Redwood Hill Farm employs the following green practices: Rewards employees for new re-use and recycle ideas. All that keep everyone on the alert for new ways to protect our environment. I mean such as changing and reducing the amount of plastic in each yogurt cup and lid by about half. Also switching to foil lids rather than plastic. Finally upgrading to more energy efficient, motion sensor lighting at the creamery There’s also recycling extensively at both the farm and creamery. Using only recycled paper and biodegradable serving cups. As well as utensils at sampling events. #### Reclaims water to clean areas where it is acceptable Composts manure and straw/hay stems from smaller barns. All that are used for the farm’s organic vegetable gardens. As well as the olive grove and [apple orchard](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/colorado-cities-going-sol-evergen-solar-lamps/). It uses manure and straw/hay stems as mulch. Surrounding the fruit trees and in the ground. All providing nutrients for the trees. Provides solar-powered electric vehicle recharging stations at the creamery and uses two hybrid company vehicles. Uses only organic fruits in both its Redwood Hill Farm goat milk yogurts as well as in sister brand Green Valley Organics Lactose Free yogurts and kefirs. All which the company introduced in 2010. #### This Farmer Went Turds for Power ![Peter melnik a fourth generation dairy farmer owns bar way farm inc In deerfield mass He has an anaerobic digester on his farm that converts food waste into renewable energy Allison aubreynpr](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/ 2020/01/img_2538.jpg?resize=780%2C584&quality=52&ssl=1 "Two Farmers Going Really Green! - The Green Living Guy") Peter Melnik is a fourth generation dairy farmer He owns Bar Way Farm Inc in Deerfield Mass He also has an anaerobic digester on his farm One that converts food waste moreover into renewable energy Allison AubreyNPR Have you piled up all the food that’s not eaten over the course of a year in the U.S.? For it would be [enough to fill a skyscraper in Chicago about 44 times](https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/09/16/440825159/its-time-to-get-serious-about-reducing-food-waste-feds-say). That’s according to an estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And all this food rots in a landfill. It also emits methane. Consequently a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. In fact, a recent report from the United Nations from a panel of climate experts estimates that [up to 10 percent of GHG out there. I mean are all human-made greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food waste](https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/08/08/748416223/to-slow-global-warming-u-n-warns-agriculture-must-change). In conclusion, here’s one solution to the problem. So Dairy farmers in Massachusetts are using food waste to create electricity. They feed waste into anaerobic digesters. All built and operated by [Vanguard Renewables](https://vanguardrenewables.com/). They also are the ones which capture the methane emissions. Then turn around finally and make renewable energy. Sources: [Redwood Hill Farm at RedwoodHill.com](https://redwoodhill.com/) and [GreenValleyLactoseFree.com](https://GreenValleyLactoseFree.com/), SEBASTOPOL, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2013) and [NPR](https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/11/30/783001327/chew-on-this-farmers-are-using-food-waste-to-make-electricity) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)