Just got word today that I’m headed to St. Louis next week to help cover the World Agricultural Forum’s Sixth Biennial World Congress, “Our Global Priority: Food Security—Financial, Trade and Technical Services,” for ZimmComm New Media, mostly on our sister Web site, AgWired.com.
For Domestic Fuel followers, there is plenty going on at the forum, especially in the sustainability field:
The 2009 World Congress will seek solutions to issues around agricultural production and supply, rising food costs, the crucial resource of water, and the impacts on agricultural economies and resources during a period of unprecedented financial uncertainties on a global scale. Defining strategies and creating solutions will require a better understanding of the drivers and challenges of agriculture and food production including labour, rising prices, shrinking sources of credit, leveraging of innovation and technology, creation of incentives for production and higher productivity, and reducing the impact of input costs to farmers. Each sector — government, private and private-public partnerships and civil society (NGOs) will be challenged to provide a road map to success by addressing the crucial issues of safe, affordable and reliable supplies of food, fuel, fiber and water.
If you’re in the St. Louis area on Tuesday, May 19th, check out the session entitled Food Security: An Integrated Approach to Biofuels. The session will be moderated by Henk Joos, Plant Science and Agronomy Director, D1 Oils and feature panelists Smt. Radha Singh, Former Secretary, Department of Agriculture, from India; Lee Broughton, Director, Corporate Sustainability, Enterprise; Ernie Shea, Project Coordinator, 25 X ’25; and Prof. Nuhu Hatibu, CEO, Kilimo Trust, East Africa.
Should be a pretty interesting conversation. Both Cindy and I will be providing coverage for the event, May 17-20. We’ll either see you there at the St. Louis Ballpark Hilton Hotel in downtown St. Louis or over on AgWired.com!
According to AWEA’s recent 
Japan will begin a three year study on their allowance of 10 percent ethanol in their fuel. Currently, ths country only allows up to three percent of ethanol to help cut its greenhouse gas emissions. 
An ethanol plant in Southwest Iowa is closer to being able to produce algae, most likely to turn into biodiesel.
According to 
The investment in Merrill, IA-based 
Presenters at the web conference include experts from organizations ranging from the American Wind Energy Association, Windustry and the World Wind Energy Association to the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy to Atlantic County Utilities Authority and Citibank. Organizers say the web conference is designed for people who are interested in learning more about community wind projects as well as for professionals already in the business wanting to keep up with this fast-changing alternative energy technology. 
Growth Energy Co-Chairman Gen. Wesley Clark will present the keynote address at the 25th annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) & Expo. Clark is expected to follow Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, who has been invited to give the FEW welcome address. 
After opening remarks and a welcome, the conference will be in full swing. A few of the sessions will include the following: The Future of Ethanol Production in America — Part 1: The Next Three Years; The Future of Ethanol Production in America — Part 2: 2012 and Beyond; and Cellulosic Ethanol Project Development.
More than 100 surplus vehicles will be sold at public auction on May 16 in Arden Hills, Minnesota including 40 flexible fuel vehicles. The vehicles are primarily from the 2001 through 2006 model years, with varying mileage. 
Minnesota has 360 of the 1,994 E85 fueling stations across the nation. Minnesota has more E85 outlets than any other state.