www.sare.org publications clean-energy-farming glossary Glossary Anaerobic digesters: systems that convert biomass, particularly food waste and animal manure, into energy. Biodiesel: a fuel made from renewable, biodegradable sources, usually vegetable oil or animal fat. Bioenergy: energy derived from recent living organisms. Biofuel: solid, liquid or gas fuel consisting of, or derived from, biological materials. Biogas: a gas mixture of primarily methane […]
www.sare.org publications clean-energy-farming getting-started Getting Started General Information Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. National grantmaking program to advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities. Currently funding sustainable energy projects. Visit the SARE WebStore or call (301) 374-9696 for print copies of publications. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory (DOE-NREL). Renewable energy and energy […]
www.sare.org publications clean-energy-farming biofuels emerging-ethanol-feedstocks Emerging Feedstocks for Ethanol In addition to switchgrass, researchers are currently exploring more than 81 fuel sources for ethanol, including: Hulless Barley: Barley can do double duty as a cover crop and energy crop. Hybrid Poplars: These poplars can be planted on marginal land, and converted into ethanol or used directly for heat. Poplars have excellent energy crop potential […]
www.sare.org publications clean-energy-farming capture-fuel-from-animal-manure-and-plant-waste Capture Fuel from Animal Manure and Plant Waste Converting animal and plant waste into energy can be a triple-hitter: It not only helps reduce waste going to landfills or from being released as gas into the atmosphere, but saves energy and money. Waste materials – ranging from animal manure for methane to wood chips for direct heat to waste vegetable oil for straight […]
www.sare.org publications clean-energy-farming profile-rick-kellison Rick Kellison: Saving Energy by Saving Water On the Texas High Plains, livestock and crops are largely dependent on water from the Ogallala Aquifer. However, declining groundwater means more energy is required to pump water from ever-deeper levels. (See SARE’s video on the Ogallala Aquifer.) When rancher Rick Kellison began farming his own 300 acres in the early 1990s, he set out […]
www.sare.org publications clean-energy-farming farm-to-save-energy Farm to Save Energy, Curb Pollution A significant portion of the energy used in agriculture comes from sources such as fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs that require significant energy to produce. Reducing the use of these materials, especially nitrogen fertilizer, is an effective way to cut back energy use on the farm. For example, substituting manure for a ton of nitrogen […]
www.sare.org publications diversifying-cropping-systems profiles Profiles of Farm Diversification The following profiles demonstrate how producers across the U.S. successfully tested strategies that helped them diversify their farms, enhancing profits, achieving environmental benefits and aiding their communities. They Diversified to Survive The Beguins had one compelling reason to diversify: “We wanted to keep the ranch,” said Robert Beguin of Rushville, Neb. With only 120 cow-calf […]
www.sare.org publications diversifying-cropping-systems strengthen-community Strengthen Community When farmers diversify, they create opportunities for their communities to benefit. One way is grower to grower: Teaming up to market alternative crops can spread the workload, while co-buying seed or equipment can lower costs. Sharing knowledge, farm to farm, can enhance crop performance. Some farmers even share labor. Sustaining Communities The concept can be […]
www.sare.org publications diversifying-cropping-systems agroforestry Agroforestry Agroforestry integrates trees and shrubs with crop or livestock operations to create more diverse farms, ranches and communities. Research and field demonstrations of a wide range of practices from around the country prove that trees and shrubs provide numerous economic and environmental benefits. Those benefits have not been lost on farmers and ranchers, who are […]
www.sare.org publications diversifying-cropping-systems protect-natural-resources Protect Natural Resources Cover Crop Use and Management Planting cover crops between cash crops provides a great opportunity for farmers and ranchers to diversify. In addition to improving soil quality, cover crops slow runoff, crowd out weeds, prevent nitrogen leaching, provide habitat for wildlife and beneficial organisms, and can even be grazed or harvested. “Preventing erosion is perhaps […]