Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future

About This Project

The Oilseeds for the Future Project aims to reduce risks and create new opportunities for Montana farmers who want to participate in, and benefit from, an emerging bio-based economy. This project combines educational opportunities (workshops, farm tours) with incentive grants and farmer feedback to advance knowledge and action.

The Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future Project offers workshops, farm tours and small grants to Montana farmers who want to learn more about:

• Oilseed crops that can be used for a range of products (such as lubricants, culinary oils or biodiesel)
• On-farm production and/or personal use of biodiesel and its co-products
• Markets and buyers' expectations for oilseed crops

The Oilseeds for the Future project is funded by the NRCS's Conservation Innovation Grants program, Stranie Ventures and the Bullitt Foundation, with additional support of the EPA, USDA Risk Management Agency and the important contributions of the Project partners.

Project partners are the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), The University of Idaho, The National Biodiesel Education Program, Montana State University Extension Service, The Northern Ag Network, Montana Farmers Union, Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana Department of Agriculture, Alternative Energy Resources Organization, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau.

Oilseed and Biodiesel Production Workshop
Draft Agenda 11-24-08
Day 1—January 28, 2009
MSU-Billings College of Technology

Unless otherwise indicated, all speakers are confirmed.

Day 2- January 29, 2009
MSU-Billings College of Technology

For Immediate Release: October 27, 2008

Contact: Al Kurki
National Center for Appropriate Technology
P.O. Box 3838
Butte, MT 59702
(406) 449-0104
800-275-6228
alk@ncat.org

Advanced Oilseed and Biodiesel Production Workshop to be Held
January 28-29, 2009 in Billings

Farmers, businesspeople, and scientists will present the most current information about processing oilseed crops and on-farm biodiesel production at the upcoming Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future workshop in Billings on January 28-29, 2009. This workshop builds upon a highly successful conference held last January and will cover more complex oilseed crushing and vegetable oil-based biofuel production and use issues.

People who attend this workshop will learn more about:

• Markets for oilseeds and oil as well as buyer expectations
• Status on the development and regulation of oilseed co-products, animal feeds and bio-lubes
• Technical advancements and changes in community/commercial biodiesel production
• Economics of oilseed crushing and biodiesel production
• Educational, technical and financial resources for building a bioproducts/bioenergy business.

The workshop is a joint effort of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Agro-Energy Initiative, USDA Risk Management Agency and other co-sponsors. The workshop will take place January 28-29th starting at 8:00 am at the MSU-Billings College of Technology Campus. On-site registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.   The cost for the workshop is $25 for participants who pre-register and $35 for registration the day of the conference. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. The deadline to pre-register is January 22, 2009. For more information on, or to register for, this event, contact NCAT at 800-275-6228 or e-mail tammyh@ncat.org.

The book Building a Successful Biodiesel Business: Technology Considerations, Developing the Business, Analytical Methodologies will be available for purchase at the conference for a discounted price of $35. Pre-orders are requested at the time of workshop registration.

This Advanced Oilseed and Biodiesel workshop is preceded by the ninth annual Harvesting Clean Energy conference that will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Billings on January 25 to 27. Sessions will focus on the steps to successfully cut energy costs and produce power on the farm, and to raise feedstocks such as oilseeds for market. For more details and to register for this conference, go to www.harvestcleanenergy.org or call Pat Gibbon at 206-443-9570 x34.

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Camelina Farm Tour Scheduled for June

(5/30/08) The Montana Farmers Union, in conjunction with the National Center for Appropriate Technology, will sponsor a farm tour June 26, 2008, at the Leonard Stone Farm north of Geraldine.

This is the fourth year that Stone has grown camelina. This year tour participants will see fields that were seeded at four different times, as well as winter and spring wheat following camelina.

During the tour materials will be available on oilseed crushers and biodiesel processors – what brands to watch for. In addition, oilseed co-ops and contractors also will be attending the tour and available to discuss their companies.

The tour begins at 10:30 AM. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP to Montana Farmers Union at 406-452-6406 or 800-234-4071.

Three Montana Farm Tours to Feature On-Site Biodiesel Processing and Oilseed Production

(4/29/08) Tours of one Montana guest ranch and two diversified Montana grain farms will feature oilseed production and crushing, along with making and using biodiesel and straight vegetable oil as fuel. Farmers and others can learn about the realities of raising camelina and processing the oilseed for fuel and other products.

The first tour is at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 28th at the Rocking Z Ranch 24 miles north of Helena. This free tour will highlight:

• Zack Wirth's biodiesel processor, and oil and biofuel storage on the Ranch.
• A stationary engine that can burn straight vegetable oil (SVO), biodiesel or petrodiesel. This engine runs the Ranch's irrigation pump.
• Hosts Zack and Patty Wirth's story on how they developed this system and the problems and benefits they've seen.

Pre-registration by May 23rd is encouraged. Call Al Kurki at 406-449-0104 or e-mail (alk@ncat.org) to register and to get more information and directions to the ranch.

The second tour is on Friday, June 20th starting 10:00 am at the Bob Quinn Farm southeast of Big Sandy. The morning portion of the tour will focus on camelina production and crushing oilseed using a new German crusher. Following lunch, the tour will focus on dryland cropping systems (small grains, oilseeds and legumes), dryland vegetables and heritage turkeys.

The $15 registration fee covers the tour costs and a catered lunch. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register for this tour, contact Jim Barngrover at 406-443-7272, (jbarngrover@aeromt.org). You can read more about the Quinn Farm tour at www.aeromt.org.

The third tour is June 26th at 10:30 am at Leonard Stone's farm near Geraldine. Attendees will see Leonard's 4th year of growing camelina and wheat following camelina. We'll also have updates on oilseed crushers and biodiesel processors -- what brands to watch for. A free lunch will be provided at the tour.

Call Sandy Courtnage at Montana Farmers Union, 406-452-6406 to get more information and directions and to register for this free tour. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Co-sponsors of these tours include: the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), the Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO), the Montana Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Great Northern Growers Coop, and Montana Farmers Union.

Growing Fuel: Montana Oilseed Crops and Biodiesel Production Topics of Two-Day Workshop in Billings

(12/3/07) Biodiesel production and oilseed crops are receiving increasing attention in Montana. In response, several groups are working to provide information resources for Montana farmers that are interested in learning more about how to produce and use biodiesel and how to raise oilseed crops. Farmers, educators, governmental agency personnel, and business owners who are interested in learning more about these topics can do so at an upcoming oilseeds and biodiesel workshop held in Billings on January 9-10th, 2008.

The cost for the workshop is $35 for participants who pre-register and $45 for registration the day of the conference. Pre-registration is encouraged. The deadline to pre-register is January 4th. For more information on, or to register for, this event, contact NCAT at 1-800-275-6228 or e-mail tammyh@ncat.org . Registration forms and further information are also available at www.ncat.org/special/oilseeds.php

The workshop is part of the Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future Project, run by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). The workshop will take place January 9 – 10th starting at 8:00 am at the MSU-Billings College of Technology Campus in the Main Building Room B-57. On-site registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.

People who attend this workshop will learn more about:

• Oilseed crops that can be used for a range of products (such as lubricants, culinary oils or biodiesel);
• Economics and schematics of commercial and community-scale biodiesel production;
• On-farm production and/or personal use of biodiesel and its co-products;
• Farmer experiences raising and crushing oilseeds and making biodiesel;
• Permitting and taxation issues for biodiesel production;
• Business models for biodiesel production, as presented by biodiesel entrepreneurs from throughout Montana;
• Resources for building a bio-products or bio-energy business.

Speakers include Dr. Jon Van Gerpen of the National Biodiesel Education Program at the University of Idaho and Paul Miller, the founder of Sustainable Systems, LLC in Missoula who will speak about the challenges and opportunities for building a biodiesel business. Miles City Community College will be demonstrating their portable biodiesel processor and oilseed crusher. Montana scientists, farmers and business owners experienced in oilseed and biodiesel production and processing will be on hand to answer questions. "This workshop is the last in a series of four and promises to be the best," said Al Kurki, NCAT's Project Coordinator.

The workshops' sponsors include NCAT, Miles City Community College, Mission Mountain Cooperative Development Center, Montana Department of Agriculture, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Farmers Union, Montana Grain Growers Association, MSU Extension Service, MSU-Billings College of Technology, MSU-Northern Bio-Energy Innovation & Testing Center, Montana’s Agro-Energy Plan/USDOL ETA, Northern Ag Network, AERO, Beartooth RC&D, USDA National Biodiesel Education Program and the University of Idaho, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Stranie Ventures, Environmental Protection Agency-Region 8, USDA Risk Management Agency, Yellowstone County Extension, Northern Plains Resource Council, Peaks and Prairies, Snowy Mountain Development Corporation and Central Montana RC&D.

Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future Workshop to be Held October 30-31st in Polson-Pablo Area

(9/12/07) Montana farmers interested in learning more about how to produce and use biodiesel or how to raise oilseed crops can learn more about these topics at an upcoming oilseeds and biodiesel Workshop.

The Oilseeds for the Future workshop will take place on October 30th starting at 8:00 am at the KwaTakNuk Best Western Motel in Polson, MT. The second day of the workshop will be held at the Salish Kootenai College in near by Pablo. On-site registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. The cost for the workshop is $30 per participant for the two-day workshop, $20 to attend one day.

Pre-registration is encouraged. The deadline to pre-register is October 26th. For more information on, or to register for, this event, contact NCAT at 1-800-275-6228 or e-mail Jody Krzan at jodyk@ncat.org.

People who attend this workshop will learn more about:

• Oilseed crops that can be used for a range of products (such as lubricants, culinary oils or biodiesel)
• On-farm production and/or personal use of biodiesel and its co-products
• Markets and buyers' expectations for oilseed crops
• Permitting and taxation issues for biodiesel production
• Business models for biodiesel production

Topics that will be covered include the economics of oilseed production, crushing and processing; biodiesel quality issues; small scale and commercial biodiesel production and market trends in oilseeds and co-products. Speakers include Dr. Jon Van Gerpen of the National Biodiesel Education Program at the University of Idaho along with Montana scientists, farmers and businesses experienced in oilseed and biodiesel production and processing.

The workshops' sponsors include the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), MSU-Extension and Salish Kootenai College, Mission Mountain Market, Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Department of Agriculture, National Biodiesel Education Program, Alternative Energy Resources Organization, Montana Farmers Union, Montana Grain Growers Association and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

NCAT Awards Biodiesel/Oilseed Innovation Grants to Montana Farmers

(5/4/07) Seven farmers from almost every region of Montana have been awarded grants to test and develop oilseeds as rotational crops and sources of feed, food and fuel. The projects funded by these Innovation Grants are very diverse, ranging from on-farm testing of camelina, sunflower, canola and juncea production to engine performance testing of B20 biodiesel and straight vegetable oil to canola and camelina feeding trials.

Grants were awarded for:

• Integrated camelina crop production, feeding camelina pressings to beef cattle, and on-farm oilseed crushing and biodiesel production tests. (Ken DeBoer, Ryegate)

• Adding biodiesel processing capacity for use in a stationary irrigation pump engine that has been retrofitted to burn straight vegetable oil. (Zach Wirth, Wolf Creek)

• Building local oilseed crushing capacity so farmers can test feeding camelina pressings to dairy cattle. (Chris Fritz, Flathead Biodiesel, Polson)

• Testing nitrogen side band applications in canola production, and feeding canola pressings to beef cattle in both ranch and feedlot settings. (Kent Wasson, Whitewater)

• Conducting comparative performance tests of straight vegetable oil and B20 in Kubota tractors. (Josh Slotnick, Missoula)

• Testing sunflower and camelina production, and performance testing straight vegetable oil and biodiesel in large farm equipment. (Chuck Merja, Sun River)

• Testing juncea (a member of the mustard family) production on dryland and irrigated farms in northeastern Montana. This project involves six farms. (Marc Cartwright, Miles City)

The Innovations Grants are part of the Oilseeds for Fuel Feed and the Future Project, a collaborative effort that aims to reduce risk and create new opportunities for Montana farmers who want to participate in, and benefit from, an emerging bio-based economy. The project combines educational opportunities with on-farm research and demonstration efforts to advance knowledge and action.

The Project partners include the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), Montana Farmers Union, Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana Department of Agriculture, Alternative Energy Resources Organization, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau.

The purpose of the grants program is to increase knowledge in three areas:

• Oilseed crops that can be used for a range of products (such as lubricants, culinary oils or biodiesel)
• On-farm production and/or personal use of biodiesel and its co-products, such as oilseed pressings for livestock feed.
• Oilseed markets and buyers' expectations for oilseed crops

Funding for this project comes from the NRCS Conservation Innovations Grant program, Stranie Ventures and the Bullitt Foundation, along with other cash and in-kind support from the project partners.

NCAT is a non-profit organization with headquarters in Butte, Montana. For more information about the Innovation grants, the Oilseeds for the Future Project or NCAT, contact Al Kurki at 406-449-0104 or alk@ncat.org.

The Update aims to provide the most current information on key aspects of oilseed rotations and production, oilseed crushing and uses of oil (such as biodiesel) and oilseed cake.

Oilseeds Update 2008 [PDF / 1.85M] This issue focuses on oilseed crushers and biodiesel processors.
Oilseeds Update 2008 Fall Edition [PDF / 633K] This issue focuses on on some Montana market outlets for oilseeds.