This spring, Matthew and Amanda loaded up a trailer with 8,500 lbs of cow manure and traveled to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). SUNY ESF has the oldest university operated paper mill in the country and what is especially unique about their facility is that they could make 4′ wide rolls of manure paper.
On Day 1, we unloaded all the totes of manure and worked with the ESF team to develop the formula and create the slurry. We felt right at home, because with thousands of gallons of water blended
with tons of manure – we got splattered and looked like we had just worked a full day on the farm.
Day 2 was a long but successful day. ESF staff evaluated the specs and strength of the formula, and by mid-morning we had 4′ rolls of manure paper successfully transferring from the ‘wire’ onto a conveyor and across to the steam rollers to dry. It is a completely different manufacturing process than we use for forming and drying pots and was incredible to watch as the slurry took form and transitioned to
a finished paper product.
The formal research will begin next summer in collaboration with UVM and will include several farmers as they compare a variety of alternative mulch materials.
For now, we have rolled out a partial roll in our own market garden and are making initial observations about longevity and performance. We hope that the material will prove durable enough to suppress weeds until the plants are established. And at the end of the growing season it can be easily tilled into the soil and reduce the cost and labor associated with pulling plastic out of the fields. Stay Tuned!
This summer we hosted the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy’s Climate Smart Farming Celebration. Guests from around Litchfield County and the State came to learn about recent grants awarded to farmers, including to Canaan View Dairy to improve manure application to cropland.
Guests toured both the dairy farm and CowPots factory as we demonstrated the range of practices and technologies that support our resilience as a diversified farm, including the newest project trialing manure paper.
