Renewable Energy and Sustainable Agriculture

Energy Presentations at National SARE Conference, August 15-17, 2006

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Renewable Energy (Oral Session)
Introduction to Renewable Energy on the Farm
Why has farm energy become such a hot topic? This introduction to sustainable farm energy will provide background and a general overview of the rapidly growing interest in on farm energy issues.
Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont Extension

Assessment of Potential On-Farm Renewable Energy Production: A National Overview
Is a wind turbine appropriate for you? What about solar electricity? Learn how to navigate the maze of renewable energy options available to farmers, including the difference between LLCs and cooperatives, the pros and cons of community wind farms, and how to evaluate the best renewable energy resources for your farm.
Roya Stanley, National Renewable Energy Lab, Dept. of Energy

USDA Initiatives to Realize America's Quest for Energy Independence
Where is the U.S. heading with renewable energy? What does the President's energy initiative mean for U.S. farmers? This session will discuss joint USDA-DOE efforts and USDA programs that are designed to help farmers supply America's domestically produced energy.
Carmela Bailey, CSREES, USDA

Renewable Energy as Rural Development: Lessons from Iowa
Iowa is leading the U.S. in building its own bioeconomy. Hear about the various models of ownership and the local and state-wide economic impacts of this developing bio-industry.
Jill Euken, Iowa State University

Reducing and Producing Farm Energy: Success Stories (Workshop)
Learn about whole-farm energy solutions and creating energy through wind generation and anaerobic digesters. This session will also cover reducing farm energy and improving efficiency.
John Ivanko, Inn Serendipity, Browntown, Wis. PRESENTATION
Scott Tjaden, Tjaden Farms, Charles City, Iowa PRESENTATION
Amanda Bilek, The Minnesota Project, St. Paul, Minn. PRESENTATION
Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology, Davis, Calif. PRESENTATION

Biodiesel on the Farm (Workshop)
What's working, what's not, and what's needed for closer to- home biodiesel production. Includes a discussion of waste vegetable oil, bio-diesel crops, processing of oilseed as feedstocks and federal and state financial incentives.
Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont Extension PRESENTATION
Bill Raney, Renewable Energy Group, Ralston, Iowa PRESENTATION
Jamie Derr, Derr Farms, Sun Prairie, Wis.
Al Kurki, National Center for Appropriate Technology

Crossroads and New Paths: Agricultural Energy and Biomass Potentials for Sustainable Agriculture (Roundtable)
Who will benefit from farm energy schemes, and how will those systems impact soil, water and rural communities? Join this roundtable discussion to explore sustainable farm energy, biofuel production, community/land/ownership issues, and how to create a truly sustainable bioenergy future.
Mike McGrath, Minnesota Project
Jim Kleinschmit, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Carmela Bailey, CSREES, USDA
Jill Euken, Iowa State University

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