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John Hanselman

Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
Vanguard Renewables

John Hanselman is Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Vanguard Renewables — the U.S. leader in farm-based organics to renewable energy. John launched Vanguard Renewables in 2014 to connect farm-based anaerobic digestion to agricultural resilience and produce renewable energy. His work includes finding a decarbonization pathway for the food and beverage industry by enabling the repurposing of unavoidable manufacturing and supply chain waste into renewable natural gas. John’s strength is bringing together partners in the decarbonization journey and Vanguard has strategic partnerships with Dairy Farmers of America and Dominion Energy, among others. (Read more ...)

In 2020, John launched the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance alongside founding members Dairy Farmers of America, Unilever, and Starbucks, a pre-competitive movement to explore decarbonization strategies, to recycle unavoidable food waste at farm-based anaerobic digesters, and convert a portion of thermal load to renewable natural gas. Vanguard currently has six operating farm-based anaerobic digesters, seven under construction, and 10 in development across the U.S. The company plans to expand its program to 100 operating anaerobic digesters over the next five years.

Vanguard Renewables currently has six operating farm-based anaerobic digesters, seven under construction, and 10 in development across the U.S. The company plans to expand its program to 100 operating anaerobic digesters in the top 20 markets over the next five years.

John Hanselman is tagged in 16 stories.
The Future — It’s Electric! But Are We Ready?
The Future — It’s Electric! But Are We Ready?

Cleantech / Reducing GHGs can’t be maximized by simply building solar arrays or windmills. While we upgrade our existing power grid, we must embrace and scale other clean-energy technologies — including renewable natural gas. - 5 months ago

Challenges in the Evolving Organic-Waste Landscape
Challenges in the Evolving Organic-Waste Landscape

Waste Not / It will take a culture change for consumers to join the food-waste recycling movement; but the good news is, it’s underway at the production and manufacturing level. - 10 months ago

Closing the Loop: Rethinking Operations, the Economy to Save the Planet
Closing the Loop: Rethinking Operations, the Economy to Save the Planet

Waste Not / Whether making a widget or a culinary treat, prioritizing a circular life cycle for products helps keep them out of waste streams until they are negligible — or better yet, they never land there. - 1 year ago

How to Sell Sustainability as a Key Measure of Business Success
How to Sell Sustainability as a Key Measure of Business Success

Business Case / When companies make bold commitments to sustainability, we all win. Here, we share lessons learned and ongoing challenges from three very different corporate sustainability journeys — to show others on the front lines that they are not alone. - 1 year ago

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Conquering the Grass Ceiling: Female Farmers Feeding America and the World
Conquering the Grass Ceiling: Female Farmers Feeding America and the World

Supply Chain / As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it seems only fitting to focus on the women working to feed our country. From raising dairy and beef cows to vegetables and other crops — women are slowly becoming the face of the next generation of US farmers. - 2 years ago

No Matter the Industry, We All Have a Role to Play in Fighting Hunger
No Matter the Industry, We All Have a Role to Play in Fighting Hunger

The Next Economy / As I write this, we are anxiously awaiting the US Senate to pass President Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation. It’s important that this passes, as it calls for the continuation of the Child Tax Credit program that has been instrumental in helping US families rise out of poverty. - 2 years ago

Vermont Family Farm Raises a Crop of Energy and Teaches Us a Lesson
Vermont Family Farm Raises a Crop of Energy and Teaches Us a Lesson

Cleantech / The anaerobic digester at Goodrich Farm turns cow manure and food waste into carbon-negative, renewable natural gas that benefits much more than the farm. And the family’s journey is highly replicable. - 2 years ago

Perspectives from the Food Waste Trenches
Perspectives from the Food Waste Trenches

Waste Not / Food waste is catalyzing everyone in the food, waste and recycling industries to create new solutions and best practices to convert a negative into value for the environment and for business. Here are insights from some food industry leaders about efforts to reduce waste first, then recycle what cannot be eliminated. - 2 years ago

Regenerative Agriculture: Soil Health, Herd Health, Human Health
Regenerative Agriculture: Soil Health, Herd Health, Human Health

Supply Chain / Regenerative ag is a growing, dynamic movement that has potential for tremendous climate reversal and healthy food production. When even Neil Young says, “Put the carbon back in the soil," you know it’s time to get on board.   - 3 years ago

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The Role of Renewable Natural Gas in the Decarbonization of Our Economy
The Role of Renewable Natural Gas in the Decarbonization of Our Economy

Cleantech / The potential of renewable natural gas in the decarbonization landscape is examined in this Q&A with Johannes Escudero, CEO and Executive Director of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition). - 3 years ago

Starbucks, Unilever, Dairy Farmers of America on Their Food-Waste-to-Energy Alliance
Starbucks, Unilever, Dairy Farmers of America on Their Food-Waste-to-Energy Alliance

Cleantech / The three founding members of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance discuss how the pioneering partnership is propelling their individual sustainability strategies. - 3 years ago

Food Waste Recycling Sees Setbacks During Pandemic
Food Waste Recycling Sees Setbacks During Pandemic

Waste Not / While zero-waste initiatives in the US gained momentum in 2019 and early 2020, myriad complications related to the pandemic brought many to a screeching halt. But as we transition from emergency mode, there have been restarts. - 3 years ago

New Farm Powered Strategic Alliance Highlights Circular Solution to Food Waste, GHG Reduction
New Farm Powered Strategic Alliance Highlights Circular Solution to Food Waste, GHG Reduction

Cleantech / Unilever, Starbucks and Dairy Farmers of America have joined the historic alliance, which calls on the food industry to embrace the simple, circular relationship between food waste and its potential to reduce greenhouse gases. - 3 years ago

Combatting Food Insecurity Takes More Than a Village
Combatting Food Insecurity Takes More Than a Village

Collaboration / As Congress signs off for Thanksgiving, roughly 12 million Americans could soon lose jobless benefits. The hope is that people and companies continue to step up; government programs continue, and the flexibility the food supply chain has gained during COVID will enable a nimbler switch to accommodate future need. - 3 years ago

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How Your Company Can Enact the #1 Solution for Combating Climate Change
How Your Company Can Enact the #1 Solution for Combating Climate Change

Waste Not / Consumers are increasingly aware of food waste, and its impact on food access and on climate change. Those businesses that commit to responsible food-waste recycling can turn a problem into a point of pride, customer loyalty and cost reduction. - 3 years ago

Repurposing Farm-Based Food Waste Provides Pathway to a Healthier Planet
Repurposing Farm-Based Food Waste Provides Pathway to a Healthier Planet

Waste Not / Food waste handling presents itself as either a generator of deadly greenhouse gases — or a tool for immediate decarbonization of the food cycle, and an increase in the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices. - 3 years ago