By Rick Douglas
July 16, 2009
 
Peoria, Or. - With the flick of a switch, Stahlbush Island Farms becomes the first farm in North America to operate a biogas plant.
 
Converting farm waste to clean energy has been a mainstay of European farming for years, but not until the energy crisis in 2008 did it make sense for Stahlbush to try the technology in this country.
 
Co-owners Bill and Karla Chambers were convinced, though, that after an initial investment, and the use of tax credits, they could make the biogas facility a successful venture and profitable going forward.
 
They expect the plant to produce enough energy to reduce their annual energy bill from $500,000 to zero.  Karla Chambers says now, "in addition to growing fruits and vegetables, Stahlbush Island Farms is now growing energy."