FL Bioenergy Association Hosts Feedstocks Info Mtg at FFBF Gville

Gary Cooper Citrus, Energy, Field Crops, Florida, General

FL Bioenergy Association Mtg at FFBF Headquarters in Gainesville drew a diverse crowd of those interested in learning more about this emerging ag sectorFlorida Farm Bureau’s state headquarters in Gainesville hosted today’s Florida Bioenergy Association “Florida Feedstocks for Florida Biofuels Workshop”. This is one of a series of meetings being held around the state to explain new business and crop opportunities for Florida farmers, hear farmers’ concerns and quesitons about Tim Manningthis emerging agricultural sector, and present information about incentive programs now available for feedstock farmers. In the photo above, USDA Farm Service Agency Florida Director Tim Manning (photo right) explains the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), and other related Bill Vasden, Jr.incentive programs intended to help better establish the agricultural biofuels movement in Florida. Among other speakers, Florida feedstock farmer Bill Vasden, USCJO (photo left) continues to make the rounds at many of these meetings, sharing his actual experience and business model details with farmers interested in learning more. The next meeting on this topic is set for Wednesday Sept 22 in Sebring (pdf file), and another is set for Live Oak Friday Sept 24 (pdf file). Click below for more information and links to other related websites:
To learn more go to FloridaFeedstockGrowers.com
Additionally, more about the bigger picture of USDA’s energy development efforts can be learned at http://www.energymatrix.usda.gov/.
For a detailed update about Bill Vasden’s USCJO biomass farming operation in Florida, here is a PDF file (pdf file-4MB)you will want to review.
Other Biomass informational meetings scheduled to date:
09/17/10 – Florida Bio Energy Association workshop at Farm Bureau in Gainesville.
09/22/10 – FFGA workshop in Sebring FL in partnership with FFGA/IFAS/FB at IFAS facility
09/24/10 – Live Oak USDA out reach in partnership with FFGA/IFAS/FB-Suwanee County Extension Office
09/30/10 – Belle Glade USDA outreach in partnership with FFGA/IFAS/FB
10/08/10 – FFGA workshop at Smart Fuels in Fruitland in Lake County
10/22/10 – FFGA in Felda at USCJO farm
10/29/10 – Ft Myers& IFAS Clean and sustainable energy conference

Stay tuned to Southeast AgNet as we plan to follow emerging biomass and energy related news involving the state’s various agriculture sectors.