 What
Was the Forum on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture?
When
and Where Was the "Ag Forum?"
What
Topics Were Covered?
Download
the Program
Site Visit Information
Who
Funded and Organized the "Ag Forum?"
What
Was the Forum on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture?
Downloadable Ag Forum Flyer
In the
recent national dialogue about biofuels and other renewable
energy opportunities for agriculture, efficiency has been
a strangely neglected topic. The usual vision or hope is that
agricultural lands will produce enough fuel and electricity
to meet future energy demands that continue to expand rapidly.
This
conference explored an alternative vision, where increased
energy production by agriculture is accompanied by equally
significant improvements in energy efficiency throughout our
economy. Making these improvements will require rethinking
and redesigning many aspects of our interrelated food and
energy systems.
Background
In recent years, ACEEE has been active in reinvigorating interest
in energy issues in agriculture. We supported the Senate Agriculture
Committee in their crafting the energy title (Title IX) of
the 2002
Farm Bill, helping to insure that energy efficiency
was included. Since the bill's passage, we have worked to
provide information on energy efficiency opportunities in
the agricultural sector and to identify successful program
strategies, becoming a leading source of information the government
and the energy efficiency community on energy efficiency in
agriculture through our Web site, reports and presentations.
In order
to stimulate a dialogue about the role of energy efficiency
in agriculture, ACEEE organized the first Forum
on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture in November of
2005 in Des Moines, Iowa. In the second "Ag Forum,"
we continued to plan and to build a more energy-efficient
agriculture and food system. The conference included practical
information for agricultural producers, food processors, energy
providers, consumers, and others who are adapting to new energy
realities.
Return
to top
When
and Where Was the "Ag Forum?"
The Forum
on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture took place February
20–22, 2008 at the Embassy
Suites Hotel, 101 E. Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa.
Return
to top
What
Topics Were Covered?
See our Program.
Return
to top
Site Visit Information
On Wednesday, February 20th a group of 30 participants visited Lincoln Way Energy, LLC, a dry mill ethanol plant, and the Iowa Energy Center's BECON Facility.
Return
to top
Who
Funded and Organized the "Ag Forum?"
The 2nd Ag Forum was organized by the ACEEE Ag Team (Neal Elliott, Sarah Black, and Glee Murray), our indefatigable co-chairs, Rich Hackner, Wisconsin Focus on Energy and GDS Associates and Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology
(NCAT), as well as a steering committee with representation from our funders, conference speakers and session organizers, and others interested in shaping the direction of the conference.
The planning process for the next Ag Forum will begin soon. If you are interested in participating as a member of the steering committee, please contact us at agforum@aceee.org.
Host
Sponsor
Iowa
Energy Center
Sponsor
MidAmerican
Energy
U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
Contributor
Alliant
Energy
California Energy Commission
New York State
Energy Research and Development Authority
Pacific Gas &
Electric Company
Southern California
Edison
Supporters
EnSave
Environmental
Power
GDS
Associates
National
Center For Appropriate Technology
Stoel Rives
LLP
If your organization is interested in sponsoring the next Ag Forum, please contact Sarah Black at 202-429-8873.
Return
to Top |
ACEEE
Forum on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture
