New England dairy farmers are no strangers to hard work, innovation, or stewardship of the land. A commitment to sustainability goes beyond how they care for their cows and the land, it extends to how they power their farms.
Blue Spruce Farm: A Pioneer in Renewable Energy
The Audet family has operated Blue Spruce Farm in Bridport, Vermont since 1958. Today, they milk around 1,500 cows, producing more than 30 million pounds of milk every year. Like many dairy operations, their farm relies heavily on electricity to power milking equipment, lighting, refrigeration, and more.
In 2013, they partnered with Green Mountain Power to install a 100-kilowatt wind turbine on their property. The farm receives 10% of the electricity it generates, while the remaining 90% powers homes and businesses across the state. It’s a win-win model for both the farm and the community.
The wind turbine is just one part of Blue Spruce Farm’s broader commitment to sustainability. The Audets were also the first participants in Green Mountain Power’s Cow Power program, which transforms cow manure into renewable energy through anaerobic digestion. The system produces approximately 2.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, generating enough electricity onto the grid for about 300+ homes.
Nea-Tocht Farm: A Dream Realized
In nearby Ferrisburgh, Vermont, Nea-Tocht Farm, owned and operated by the Vander Wey family, partnered with Green Mountain Power in 2015 to install a wind turbine. The farm milks around 250 cows.
The turbine can produce about 155,000 kilowatts a year, equal to the amount of electricity used by 25 homes.
For the Vander Wey family, the transition to wind energy was more than just practical; it’s deeply symbolic. The farm’s name, Nea-Tocht, is Dutch for “never thought”—a nod to the family’s surprise and pride in milking cows with power from the wind.
By tapping into renewable resources like wind, these farms are not only producing nutritious milk, they’re also helping power their farms and local communities.
Harnessing the power of the wind is just one way dairy farmers are reducing their environmental impact. With improvements in animal nutrition, soil management, and innovative farm technology, farmers are continually finding new ways to be a part of the environmental solution.
Visit our Environmental Action page to learn more about sustainability practices on New England dairy farms.
