Top: Images courtesy Agricultural Utilization Research Institute

The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute’s (AURI) new report, The Biogas Opportunity for Minnesota Farmers: A Business Guide for On-farm Anaerobic Digestion, estimates Minnesota has the potential to produce enough biogas to meet over 13% of the state’s natural gas demand. As of 2025, Minnesota has about 26 water resource recovery facilities, four landfills, 17 farms, and two food waste facilities with AD systems. In 2022, Minnesota had 2,185 dairy farms and 2,928 swine farms. If Minnesota is to reach its potential, more on-farm systems are needed, says AURI. “The objective of this guide is to introduce the concept of on-farm anaerobic digestion (AD) and its specific relevance to Minnesota farmers,” explains Brad Matuska, business development director at AURI. “As demand for renewable clean energy continues to increase, Minnesota farmers have the opportunity to meet that demand and produce valuable byproducts by including anaerobic digesters on their farms. It’s a great use of resources we already have at our fingertips.” The guide explores the AD opportunity and explains existing and potential on-farm business models and considerations. It also discusses demand for renewable natural gas made from farm biogas. AURI, a nonprofit, was created by the Minnesota Legislature to support value-added agriculture and provides technical and commercialization assistance, including AD project feasibility analyses, feedstock and digestate characterization, and assistance with permitting and regulatory assessment.