Butter to Biodiesel: State Fair Butter Cow Reused as Fuel

After the Ohio State Fair comes to a close, the butter cow will continue to inspire Ohioans, but in a different way.

The butter sculpture at this year's fair of the eight U.S. presidents from Ohio reminds Ohioans of their importance in presidential elections past and present. The butter will continue to inspire by spreading the awareness of the importance of recycling and reusing as it’s converted into biodiesel.

The American Dairy Association Mideast is partnering with Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) who will turn the 2,500 pounds of butter used in the display into biodiesel, an eco-friendly alternative fuel that is cleaner and less expensive than fossil fuel diesel.

“It's fitting that we've found a way to reuse the butter,” said Scott E. Higgins, CEO for the American Dairy Association Mideast. “Dairy farmers are the original conservationists, recycling and reusing resources to protect the land, air and water.

The butter will be converted into fuel by using a chemical process MVNU currently uses to recycle vegetable oil from their catering service into biodiesel, which is then used to power their maintenance equipment.

“Mount Vernon Nazarene University is excited to receive this year's butter sculptures to transform them into biodiesel,” said Carrie A. Crouch, Director of Communications for Mount Vernon Nazarene University. “It's a small way we can partner with the American Dairy Association Mideast to benefit the environment, while educating fairgoers about how biodiesel works and its great potential.