South Hampton Roads RC&D Boosts Biodiesel at Workshop 

Gas prices have affected farmers in two ways – higher costs and increased opportunities.   In response to a growing interest in alternative fuels among Virginia farmers, the South Hampton Roads Resource Conservation and Development joined with Virginia Clean Cities to hold a biodiesel workshop. 

“We were overwhelmed with the response,” says Acting RC&D Coordinator Gene Crabtree.  “We had space for 65 people and had to turn some away.” 

Topics ranged from biodiesel production on a small scale, to safety issues, to the types of crops that can be used to produce biodiesel.  Farmers learned how to make biodiesel for their own purposes on the farm or at home.  A researcher from Virginia Tech offered safety tips for handling, storing, and producing biodiesel. 

Another expert suggested new opportunities for growing crops such as canola to produce alternative fuels.  Currently, soybeans which comprise the largest crop acreage in the state, is most often used for biodiesel.  However, biodiesel can be made from almost any oilseed crop including peanuts, cottonseeds, and mustard, or from used vegetable oil.   Farmers who used to grow tobacco or peanuts can now look at using this land to grow crops for alternative fuels. 

Other RC&D’s are planning workshops across the state to meet the demand for information on biodiesel production.  

Contact Gene Crabtree, Acting RC&D Coordinator, South Hampton Roads at 757/547-7172 for more information.

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