Calls For New Farm Policy

Cindy Zimmerman

Some sectors of agriculture are calling for a new direction to farm policy. At a press conference last week, the American Farmland Trust unveiled its vision of a new farm policy called Agenda 2007. AFT President Ralph Grossi says this vision includes renewable energy. “Much more can be done to unleash producer innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Grossi, including expanding …

Government, Miscellaneous

Another Corn Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

According to this website, there is another fuel that can be made from corn – butanol. These folks – Environmental Energy, Inc. – claim to have run cross country last year on 100 percent butanol, getting 24 miles to the gallon with no engine modifications. Why have we never heard of it? According to the website, production of butanol from …

Miscellaneous

Converting Biomass from Bull

Cindy Zimmerman

Accelerated Genetics recently sponsored a bus tour to Green Bay, WI to visit ‘El Toro’, a Biomass Conversion Unit that converts animal waste into valuable and renewable energy products. A select group of Wisconsin dairy customers, Cashton Area Development Corporation (CADC) members and Accelerated Genetics management were given a demonstration of a working prototype of ‘El Toro’ – pictured here. …

Miscellaneous

All Talk and No Action

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s true that gas prices are high right now – although much lower than most other countries, except Saudi Arabia. And it’s true that we are trying to come with alternative, renewable, domestic fuel sources. But – the fact is – we also NEED TO USE LESS! We spend all of our time bemoaning the fact that gas costs so …

Miscellaneous

Alcohol School

Cindy Zimmerman

No, not how to drink it – how to make it. The Ethanol Technology Institute sponsors this event which will be in Toulouse, France at the end of next month. Ethanol Technology is owned by Lallemand Specialties, Inc. For 25 years, The Alcohol School has been educating fuel ethanol and distilled beverage producers in the science of alcohol production. The …

Ethanol, Miscellaneous

Back to the Future

Cindy Zimmerman

JW is back from “spring fever” break and sent in this post from the future. Here’s a link to a real cool short film about the positive impact of alternative fuels. I found it from Joel Makower who worked on the project and works to promote green business. The goal was to take the doom out of global warming and …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Miscellaneous

Hate Message?

Cindy Zimmerman

I had been meaning to do a post on this billboard, which I see every day crossing over the Missouri River bridge into Jefferson City, just because I thought it was great advertising. Now, the darn thing is causing controversy because it “implies hate and discrimination for no reason” according to the president of the St. Louis chapter for the …

Ethanol, Miscellaneous

Global Shift to Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, better known as FAO, is seeing a major international trend toward bioenergy. According to a news release from the FAO Rome newsroom, “The gradual move away from oil has begun. Over the next 15 to 20 years we may see biofuels providing a full 25 percent of the world’s energy needs,” …

International, Miscellaneous