Davis College
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A project that could turn cow manure and moldy hamburgers into electricity while also cutting down on the amount of waste products that flow into our waterways is getting a boost from an anonymous donor.

The West Virginia University Davis College Farm Project Fund will provide $50,000 over five years for improvement projects at the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design farms, with first preference given to using the funding as a match for developing an anaerobic digester.

“We are very grateful that our donors are willing to take on projects that have not traditionally been tackled using private funds,” said WVU Davis College Interim Dean Dr. Rudolph P. Almasy. “This gift provides leverage for attracting additional dollars for farm projects that are sometimes difficult to fund.”

The donor’s intent was to use the funds to help spark interest in building the anaerobic digester, which takes organic waste and turns it into a biogas that is directed to an internal combustion engine coupled with an electric generator. The process also produces a nutrient rich substance that can be used as a liquid fertilizer or dried and used for compost or animal bedding.

For the full story, please visit WVU Today.