Earlier video showing pouring of cement and building of central pillar. Signage on bluff above site designed to educate visitors on the revenue and environmental benefits to the farm and community. Most digesters in Vermont were built with older, in-ground technology. Modern, above ground, “Continually Stirred Tank Reactor” systems like this one provide more energy, are easier to maintain and the choice internationally.
Following a variety of unexpected events including farm ownership change, permitting delays, noise studies and potential changes in Washington DC that would have impacted grants and incentives, the Bullis Savage View Farm welcomed its first digester components and started construction in late spring 2026. (Agricultural Digesters CEO Jim Muir discussed current challenges with a leading media outlet, Compass Vermont.)
A digester provides new revenue streams so farms no longer need to depend on the fluctuating milk prices to survive.
Bullis Farm with the help of Agricultural Digesters LLC will make green electricity to sell to the Vermont grid, heat for the farm’s new worker building and milking parlor, fluffy bedding solids which replace expensive sawdust, extra solids to sell as compost and 90% odorless liquid fertilizer that will be injected into fields which increases yields and controls potential runoff into Lake Champlain. The farm may also separate the liquid digestate a second time to produce a powerful granular organic fertilizer sold nationally.
Weekly video meetings of local engineers (Vermont), generator supplier (Germany/Connecticut) and technology provider (Austria/South Dakota).
Review held by NRCS to ensure the project conforms to requirements for its $450,000 EQIP allocation. From left are Agricultural Digesters team member Chantal Beliveau, Sarah Larose and Bob Thompson of NRCS, farmer/owner Dwight Bullis, Jill Marsano and John Forcier of the Agricultural Digesters team.
Initial work on circular, above ground CSTR (Continually Stirred Tank Reactor) style digester. When tank panels are in place, a leak test will take place by filling it with water from Lake Champlain, conveniently located at the end of the road.
Awaiting central pillar and stainless-steel tank assembly.
Inner shell being constructed. Outer wall and dual membrane are key future steps. Combined heat and power container arriving at site shortly.
Inner tank complete and awaiting leak test. Outer tank will be dark, “renewable” green, the membrane cover grey.
Seventeen hours to fill the tank, then ten-day leak test.
Photo showing how digester will look when complete.