Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer will help kick off the third annual Florida Farm to Fuel summit this week in Orlando as keynote speaker Wednesday morning, July 30.

Other speakers include Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Brian Dean with the Interamerican Ethanol Commission, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association president Gordon Quaiattini, and US Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen.

The summit brings together hundreds of industry leaders in agriculture, petroleum, academia, financial institutions and the government who want to make Florida a leader in the production of renewable energy. Participants will hear about where Florida currently stands with biofuels infrastructure, the latest renewable energy technologies and the growing market for carbon credits.

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson has been actively promoting the production of renewable energy in Florida, including ethanol made from agriculture waste and other woody products, through this conference and legislative efforts.

“With each increase in the nation’s oil and gas prices, the need for alternative sources of fuel and energy become more critical,” Bronson said. “Florida has the greatest potential for biomass production in the country, and the technology exists to convert natural resources to produce clean, alternative fuel. This conference will bring together all the stakeholders so we can continue working toward the goal of reducing our dependence on foreign oil while at the same time providing another source of income for our struggling farmers.”

The summit is being held at the Rosen Shingle Creek lodge in Orlando and will conclude on August 1.