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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 22 assets. Page 1 of 2.
Article
The Future — It’s Electric! But Are We Ready?

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. ... View More

Video
Local, Holistic Solutions to Getting Decarb Done

At the end of the day, companies need to develop decarbonization solutions that make sense on a local level. This stands true for large organizations and local farmers. In this session, we will hear from different stakeholders on the benefits and cha... View More

Article
Challenges in the Evolving Organic-Waste Landscape

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. ... View More

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

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. ... View More

Video
Waste to Riches: Innovations in Material Conversion Supporting Circularity

Who’s Showing the Way Today? Steven Stanley Chief Commercial Officer LanzaTech Keynotes during this plenary will showcase brands that are paving the way with innovative solutions to critical social and environmental challenges. Learn from l... View More

Video
Waste to Riches: Innovations in Material Conversion Supporting Circularity

Who’s Showing the Way Today? John Hanselman Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Vanguard Renewables Keynotes during this plenary will showcase brands that are paving the way with innovative solutions to critical social and environmental chal... View More

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

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. ... View More

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

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 farme... View More

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

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 i... View More

Video
Day 2-B2B6: Beyond Net Zero: How Nestle, Dole Sunshine, Unilever, and Vanguard Renewables are Boosting Sustainability Impacts

Most companies have sustainability goals today; many have committed to Science Based Targets or a “net zero” carbon impact. Attend this panel to learn how Nestle, Dole Sunshine Company, Unilever, and Vanguard Renewables are doing even more for th... View More

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

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. ... View More

Article
Perspectives from the Food Waste Trenches

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 ef... View More

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

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.   ... View More

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

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). ... View More

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

The three founding members of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance discuss how the pioneering partnership is propelling their individual sustainability strategies. ... View More

Article
Food Waste Recycling Sees Setbacks During Pandemic

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. ... View More

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

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. ... View More

Article
Combatting Food Insecurity Takes More Than a Village

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 durin... View More

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