The Iowa Soybean Association has formed a board to coordinate biodiesel activities in the state, along with activities with the National Biodiesel Board.

Wallaces Farmer reports that the ISA hired Randy Olson to serve as the new Iowa Biodiesel Board’s executive director, as well as a senior marketing manger for the association:

“I’m very excited to join ISA and support our state’s farmers,” says Olson. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with our growing number of biodiesel manufacturers in the state. With this industry’s tremendous growth, it is vital that our producers get the support that they need.”

Meanwhile, the ISA is happy that several keys pieces of legislation for biodiesel survived the March 9th “funnel” at the state legislature. That date is the date that bills must pass out of committee… otherwise they are considered dead. The bills making it through include ones that provide funding for a biodiesel testing laboratory to ensure quality, as well as tax breaks for biodiesel facilities.