Keller Dairy Farm in Fall City is one of King County’s few remaining dairy farms and plays an important role in our region’s local food system. In 2025, the Keller Dairy took an important step as leaders in sustainable dairy farming, with support from KCD, by installing a manure separation system. This project was made possible by funding from the Washington State Conservation Commission’s Sustainable Farms and Fields program.
The new system separates solid cattle waste from liquid manure before it enters the farm’s waste storage pond, or lagoon. This improvement reduces the amount of organic material that accumulates in the storage pond. That solid manure can then be recycled and applied to future crop fields as fertilizer, supporting better quality corn and hay crops.
Separating solid waste from a dairy’s lagoon and reduces the release of greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65% from the waste storage pond. Methane is one of the key greenhouse gases that is reduced with improved manure separation. This improvement to Keller’s waste management ensures a greener dairy operation by limiting greenhouse gas emissions and significantly reducing the amount of manure that enters their storage pond.
This project demonstrates how KCD supports local farms with practices that benefit both agricultural operations and the environment. The manure separation system improves air and water quality, protects groundwater resources, and helps ensure the long-term sustainability of a local dairy farm that helps feed King County communities.