Waste Management is developing a new organics facility in Okeechobee, Florida. The facility, which will sit on eight acres, will process yard, food and clean wood waste to produce soil amendments as well as bagged lawn and garden products that may be sold back to the public as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. The facility will be sited adjacent to …
Genetic Mutation Creates Drought Tolerance in Plants
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a genetic mutation that allows a plant to better endure drought conditions without losing biomass. This discovery could prove significant because it could lead to plants that need less water to survive and thrive despite adverse climatic conditions. Mike Mickelbart, an assistant professor of horticulture; Mike Hasegawa, a professor of horticulture; and Chal Yul …
Number of Farm Groups Is Probably About Right
The results are in for the latest ZimmPoll. The question: “What do you think about the number of farm groups?” Our readers are not shy about letting us know their opinions and we appreciate that. The results: 33% say there are too many, 28% say the more the merrier, 25% say some are not needed but most are and 14% …
BYO Ethanol Webinar Wednesday
Last month President Obama signed into law legislation that included the extension of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and the alternative fuels infrastructure tax credit. These two credits will continue to be key in the expansion of ethanol-blended fuels and blender pumps and a free webinar Wednesday is designed tohelp retailers learn more about how ethanol can increase …
USDA Awards Grants for Sustainable Bioenergy Education
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced two grants that will create educational opportunities in math and science for students interested in bioenergy and bio-based products. NIFA awarded Corinne Rutzke at Cornell University $4,999,940 to provide teachers from grades 8 through the undergraduate level with a strong footing in multi-disciplinary content and research-based training materials and activities …
Homeland Energy Joins RFA
Homeland Energy Solutions has joined the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) as a new producer member. Homeland Energy Solutions is 100 million gallon per year ethanol biorefinery located in Lawler, Iowa which started production in April 2009. The facility uses approximately 37 million bushels of corn annually, and produces more than 350,000 metric tons of livestock feed in the form of …
POET and Growth Energy Win Regional NAMA Awards
Ethanol industry campaigns targeting the general public and Congress have won top awards from Region II of the National Agri-Marketing Association, which covers the west central part of the country from Montana to Texas. First place honors for “Television Ad Series” and “Best in Show” from the NAMA Region II went to a national TV advertising campaign for ethanol producer …
Rooftop Solar Farm Under Construction In Florida
One of the largest rooftop solar farms in Florida is now under construction in Gainsville, Florida as part of a new Publix-anchored shopping center. Once complete, the 350 kW solar array will have nearly 1,500 panels spanning 46,000 square-feet atop the Exchange shopping center. The solar panels will begin providing electricity by the end of March 2011 and will be …
An In-depth Look At Waste’s Role in Energy
A few months ago, I did a review of the book, The Story of Stuff. While the book was good, I was alarmed at the author Annie Leonard’s, unflattering views of waste-to-energy. For decades, municipal waste companies have been burning their trash. Known as incineration, Leonard says that this causes a multitude of problems, the first being burning pollutes and …
Mercedes-Benz Calls for More Hydrogen Infrastructure
German auto maker Mercedes-Benz says governments and utility companies need to invest more in hydrogen infrastructure in order to help get use of fuel cells in cars. The Detroit News says the company made the pitch during the North American International Auto Show and said it soon put 70 fuel-cell powered B-class vehicles on the road soon in California and …