Snowy River Innovation: Dairy Farm Waste Reduction

Project Description:

Identify the current standings of dairy farms and innovative methods that are used by farmers in the New England region of the United States. First, the project will identify farmers and farmer associations that practice sustainability. These farms will be surveyed to find what infrastructure and processes are required to make the farm more sustainable. Afterward, the team will analyze two farms that have good practices to find what they are doing compared to others. Finally, the team will be able to provide recommendations of sustainable methods and farms that could collaborate with SRI in the future.

Project Sponsor:

Snowy River Innovation is an Australia-based company that is working towards developing and increasing sustainability in rural Australia. They include utilizing emerging technologies and commercialization. Developing rural regions to be more environmentally friendly is very important to reduce emissions globally. Often, rural regions are left to scramble for economic stability as well as technological advancements, but SRI wishes to assist these regions. SRI has pursued efforts in the areas of commercialization, corporate advisory and e-capital, sustainability, energy, and embedded generation. These have led to the ideas and projects based on clean and renewable energy as well as developing new technology to assist in the upkeep and development of rural Australia. SRI is building framework solutions for these issues.

Student Researchers:

Marissa Desir	Marissa Desir is in her third year at WPI studying biochemistry. She is interested in learning about environmental issues and sustainability. Also, she is excited work with Snowy River Innovation to assist in their endeavors.
Haoyu Fu	Haoyu Fu is a third year student at WPI studying Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is excited to work on the exciting project to learn more about farms and dairy industry.
Mathieu Michaud	Mathieu Michaud is in his third year at WPI studying Mechanical Engineering. He doesn’t have much experience with farms and the dairy industry but is excited to work on an exciting project.
Cabot Priestner	Cabot Priestner is a third year at Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying Mechanical Engineering. He has little experience in farm and dairy industry but wants to work and learn many things on this exciting project.

1. Identify farms and farmer associations in New England to learn about waste management techniques

2. Explore waste management technologies utilized on farms and understand why they chose their technologies

3. In depth case study of two leaders in waste management innovation

4. Data analysis of objectives 1, 2, and 3

5. Retell the stories of these farms for others to benefit

Final Report:

Supplemental Materials: