Explore Opportunities for Bioenergy at March Conference
12/17/08
Contact: Laura Probyn
517-432-1555, ext. 175
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The expanding bioenergy sector offers tremendous potential for Michigan farmers. All members of the agricultural community are invited to learn more about bioenergy and renewable fuels during the Michigan Agri-Energy Conference, March 30-31 at the Kalamazoo Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo.
New technologies are opening doors that we never envisioned, and growers who take the time to learn about the latest innovations and emerging trends can discover new opportunities for profit centers.
“There are numerous opportunities for farmers in raising crops for biofuels, wind generation and other aspects of renewable energy,” says Dennis Pennington, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension educator for bioeconomy education. “The real challenge comes in keeping up on trends, tracking developments and understanding where the niche opportunities exist.”
The conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. March 30 with a presentation about Michigan’s energy policy and what it means for agriculture. It will be followed by a slate of concurrent sessions.
Concurrent session topics will look at such issues as regional biomass processing and compressing biomass for transportation, anaerobic digester technology and economics and farmer perspective, the legal aspects of wind contracts, the economics of community wind, solar options for Michigan’s climate, using solar energy to live off the grid and geothermal energy basics.
After lunch, a panel of speakers will address the food and fuel debate. Additional breakout sessions will follow on topics around biomass production, energy conversion technologies, small-scale wind production and forest product resources. A trade show and poster session will round out the day.
The second day will kick off with an address about the energy title of the farm bill, followed by breakout sessions on renewable energy policy and programs, cutting-edge technology, energy conservation and land use. The lunch speaker will discuss the future of bioenergy.
After lunch, participants can choose one of four off-site tours. One will travel to two local commercial greenhouses to explore their energy conservation practices. Another will look at wind turbines and other electricity and heat generation options, a third will focus on renewable fuels and feedstocks, and the fourth will take visitors to tour an anaerobic digester at an area dairy farm.
“The team that put this event together has worked very hard to develop a comprehensive event that will provide plenty of information but will also give participants opportunities to network and learn from people who have ‘been there, done that’ or are experts on the topics we are presenting,” Pennington adds.
The registration rates are $150 for the entire conference, $85 for March 30 only, $65 for March 31 only and $15 for a bus tour only. Fees include meals, refreshments and materials. Registrations are due March 13. A special conference room rate of $81 is available at the Radisson. To reserve a room at that rate, call 888-201-1718.
To register or learn more about the Michigan Agri-Energy Conference, visit www.agenergy.org, e-mail Pennington at pennin34@msu.edu or call ANR Conference Services at 517-353-3175.
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