‘Bioenergy from Perennials’ set April 2 in Fairmont
A “Bioenergy from Perennials” workshop, sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension and Rural Advantage, will be held Monday, April 2 at the Knights of Columbus (920 E. 10th St.) in Fairmont, Minn. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The morning session will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the afternoon session will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Fuel and energy from plants, commonly called biofuel or bioenergy, has been an ongoing effort in the United States. The third crop producer meeting will focus on the bioenergy work being done in south central Minnesota.
The morning sessions include the following: Linda Meschke giving an update on the Madelia Model, a bioenergy project headed up by Rural Advantage; Jim Klienschmit with Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy who will discuss renewable energy policy in Minnesota and the United States; and John Frey, director of the International Renewable Energy Technology Isntitute of Minnesota giving an update on the research/development and training being done by the Minnesota State University, Mankato-based IRETI.
The afternoon session will focus on bioenergy research projects including Jacob Jungers with University of Minnesota sharing project results and future plans of his research group who is looking at harvesting restored grasslands for biomass and energy near Crookston, Benson and Windom, Minn.; Dr. Gregg Johnson, University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center who will discuss the numerous bioenergy-related research projects being conducted at Waseca-based SROC; Jim Eckberg, also with University of Minnesota, presenting information on the potential ecosystem services that can arise from erennials planted as bioenergy feedstocks; and Gary Wyatt with University of Minnesota Extension, who will share information on different possibilities landowners can use for expiring Conservation Reserve Program acres of which one such possibility is harvesting for bioenergy.
The meetings are free of charge and no advanced registration is required. Feel free to attend those topics that your schedule allows or stay for the entire day.
For a full agenda, check out the UMN Extension – Conservation Agronomy Facebook page or find event details at: http://www.facebook.com/events/166495723449585//
For weather-related cancellations, contact the University of Minnesota Extension Farm Information Line at 1-800-232-9077.
The University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Rural Advantage is a nonprofit corporation based in Fairmont, Minn. Their mission is to promote the connections between agriculture, the environment and rural communities in order to improve ecological health, economic viability and rural vitality. Their work centers around efforts to reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollution with major programming focused on the 3rd Crop Initiative, ECoPayPack development, Martin County Farm2Cafeteria Network and building the Madelia Model concept. Contact them at 507.238.5449 or visit their website at www.ruraladvantage.org for more information.
Contact for this event:
Jill Sackett, UMN Extension / Rural Advantage, 507-238-5449 sacke032@umn.eduAny use of this article must include the byline or following credit line:
Jill Sackett is an Extension Educator with University of Minnesota Extension / Rural Advantage
Source: Jill Sackett – Extension Educator, Conservation Agronomist with University of Minnesota Extension / Rural Advantage, Fairmont, MN
Contact for this event:
Jill Sackett, UMN Extension / Rural Advantage, 507-238-5449 sacke032@umn.eduAny use of this article must include the byline or following credit line:
Jill Sackett is an Extension Educator with University of Minnesota Extension / Rural Advantage
Source: Jill Sackett – Extension Educator, Conservation Agronomist with University of Minnesota Extension / Rural Advantage, Fairmont, MN