Dragon Tending: Hands-On Management of On-Campus Biodigesters
Biodigesters are a type of composting system that converts food waste and manure into biogas - a renewable fuel - and biofertilizer. UMass Amherst currently hosts two biodigesters: one at the UMass Student Farm and another at the Franklin Permaculture Garden.
We are looking for teams of students to address the following needs of these on-campus biodigesters:
- Optimizing Biodigester Performance. Biodigesters work best when they are kept warm (at body temperature) and when they are fed a regular diet of balanced organic waste that excludes certain products (e.g., woody debris) or excessive amounts of sugars or oils. Help is needed for installing small greenhouses around the UMass biodigesters, as well as to coordinate collection of suitable cafeteria waste and regular feeding of these to the biodigesters.
- Biogas Education and Outreach. We want the entire UMass community to learn about the biodigesters we have on campus and the role this technology can play in moving us towards a green economy. Student help is needed to coordinate educational and outreach events, such as biogas cookouts and building an outdoor kitchen next to the Franklin Permaculture Garden biodigester. Maintaining an active media presence around the use of these biodigesters is also important. Other projects include developing practical and visible uses of the biogas generated, such as setting up a biogas lamp at the Franklin site.
It is deeply satisfying and empowering to work on projects that DO something about addressing the climate catastrophe. Biogas technology is simple enough that your skills as an undergraduate are enough to make a meaningful contribution to the field.
This project taps into that same great spirit of the UMass student community that made the Franklin Permaculture Garden draw national attention to our green projects on campus.
Teamwork makes the Dream work!