The scoop on cow power

Since 2009, half a million kilowatt hours of electricity have been produced on Beaver Marsh Road.

The source of that power? Cows.

While the plant just north of Summers Drive still produces up to 750 kilowatt hours a day – enough to power 550 homes – seismic shifts in energy policy and dairy farming are affecting its business plan.

Co-founders Kevin and Daryl Maas of Mount Vernon started Farm Power Northwest with federal and state grants plus startup funds from local investors, including this reporter’s family.

Once online, Farm Power’s Rexville anaerobic manure digester began conve...