Ethanol Facility Powered by Renewable Energy From Dairy Waste Planned
For Fair Oaks Dairy Farm in
(CSRwire) FAIR OAKS, Ind. -- Bion
Environmental Technologies and Fair Oaks Dairy Farms, the largest dairy east of
the Mississippi River and an industry leader in efforts to find a solution to
dairy environmental issues, today announced a joint venture that will enable
environmentally sustainable expansion of animal agriculture in concert with
ethanol production. Bion’s patented animal waste technology supports the
synergistic integration of ethanol production with animal agriculture by
enabling herd concentration. Herd concentration both provides the scale needed
to achieve the economically viable generation of renewable energy in support of
ethanol production, and establishes a stable local market for the entire volume
of produced co-product distiller grains without the need for drying.
Bion’s technology platform provides sufficient renewable energy from the
associated animal waste stream to produce ethanol absent any outside fuel
source such as natural gas or coal, while it directly addresses the growing
long-term risk to distiller grains revenues as those markets become increasingly
saturated by the continued expansion of
Early results indicate that implementation of Bion’s patented and
proprietary technology improves the net energy balance in the production of
ethanol from corn from 1.4 to 1 up to 2.5 to 1. In essence, Bion’s
technology platform utilizes the inherent energy value of the cellulosic
component of the manure stream to improve both net energy value and margins in
the production of ethanol.
The integrated Bion platform incorporating ethanol production at Fair Oaks will
be a balanced, closed-loop system that the company’s research indicates
will create sufficient renewable energy to support one million gallons of
ethanol for every 1,000 dairy cows. "Based on Bion’s ratio forecast
between herd concentration and ethanol production, it appears that both heat
energy and ethanol co-product can be in balance in an environmentally
sustainable manner," according to John Ewen of Ardour Capital, an advisor
to Bion.
The two-stage joint venture announced today provides for the construction of a
research center in Stage One to determine the economic and environmental sustainability
of utilizing sand bedding in conjunction with Bion’s technology platform.
Based upon that evaluation, Stage Two will include a Bion treatment system for
End products from the animal waste stream in Bion’s proprietary system
include renewable energy, and high-value biological solids to be marketed as
either organic fertilizer or as a high-protein animal feed ingredient for other
species.
Bion’s implementation plan projects a number of dairies located within a
geographic area, each with modular waste treatment facilities capable of
handling the waste stream of 10,000 dairy cows or more. Renewable energy
produced by the Bion technology platform will meet the natural gas requirements
of an ethanol plant on a ratio of 1,000 dairy cows to one million gallons of
ethanol production. This model will enable Bion to secure burner-tip (retail)
values for the renewable energy produced, instead of wellhead (wholesale)
values presently being achieved by anaerobic digesters and other renewable
energy technologies focused on the animal waste market.
Expanded herd concentration directly resulting from the implementation of
Bion's patented technology platform can lower capital costs while significantly
improving operating margins of expanding or new ethanol facilities. Ethanol
production sites will not require dryers, eliminating both the capital and the
imbedded energy costs in the corn co-products. In addition, the ability to
create a local herd in immediate proximity to the ethanol plant essentially
eliminates the distiller grains marketing and revenue risk, reducing
transportation costs and eliminating the requirement for natural gas in the
site selection process. It will enable existing older plants and East Coast
facilities to "create" markets for their ethanol co-product, and
therefore to remain competitive with newer larger facilities in the
Bion’s patented technology significantly reduces environmental impacts of
large-scale animal farming while enabling herd concentration required for
economies of scale in the generation of renewable energy. The patented
"microaerobic" process for biologically treating dairy waste
encapsulates most of the pollutants so they can no longer escape into the air
and water, reducing the nutrient content of the treated waste stream in the
effluent discharge by 75-90% and air emissions by 90-99%. The closed-loop
ethanol production system simultaneously provides an end user for the undried
distiller grains and for the dairy’s waste stream.
The new research center at
For more information on Bion’s system performance data, peer review team
and test protocols, see http://www.biontech.com/technology.
About
About Bion: Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc.’s patented and
proprietary technology for large dairy farms (as well as swine and other animal
facilities) mitigates the nutrient releases to water and gaseous emissions to
air created by the waste streams of such operations while enabling profitable
integration of renewable energy production (methane and ethanol). Bion’s
stock trades under the symbol “BNET” on the Pink Sheets. This
material includes forward-looking statements based on management's current
reasonable business expectations. In this document, the word
“intends” and similar expressions identify certain forward-looking
statements. These statements are made in reliance on the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act, Section 27A of the Securities act of 1933, as amended.
There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could result in actual results
differing materially from expected outcomes.
For further information, please visit the Bion website at http://www.biontech.com, or contact
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For more information please contact:
John Ewen, Ardour Capital Partners,
LLC
(212) 375-2950, ext.
Mark Smith, President and General Counsel
(719) 256-5329 office
(303) 517-5302 cell
David Mager,
Vice President – Public Policy
(413) 247-0120 office
(413) 427-1768 cell
Job announcement for sustainable or organic fruit and ornamental
extension educator
Please pass this announcement or apply yourself if you qualify and are
interested in working with MSU extension to expand opportunities for
June 2006
#1507
POSITION: Extension Educator, Fruit & Ornamentals,
OFFICE LOCATION:
STATUS: This position is funded 100% by a grant with appointment on
an annual renewal basis.
AVAILABLE: September 15, 2006
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 18, 2006
STARTING SALARY: Commensurate with training and experience up to
$44,500.
POSITION DESCRIPTION/QUALIFICATIONS: See attached.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply using the Web Employment Application
process at:
http://www.msue.msu.edu/jobs
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Phone: 269/671-2444
Fax: 269/671-2409
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Extension Agriculture and
Natural Resources Educator
Fruit and Ornamentals Area of Expertise
June 2006
Summary Description:
The moderate temperatures, soils, proximity to markets, and an established
agricultural infrastructure combine to make Berrien County one the most diverse
horticultural areas east of the
General Responsibilities:
Provide leadership and cooperate in planning and delivering effective Extension
educational programs in commercial horticulture with emphasis on Integrated
Pest Management (IPM), especially in fruit and nursery crops. Plan,
develop, implement and evaluate Extension educational programs that focus on
strengthening profitability.
1. Provide research based technical
and crop management information to farm operators, producers, agri business and
related industries in the counties.
2. Improve the knowledge and skills
of producers and agri business personnel in the application of research-proven
techniques to their production or marketing situations.
3. Provide program leadership by
collaborating with the County Extension Directors, extension educators,
Extension Specialists and Area of Expertise (AoE) team members to deliver
programs to the horticulture industry in
4. Contribute to the effective use of
agricultural resources as a part of overall social, economic, and environmental
development in the county.
5. Represent MSU Extension on the
USDA County Emergency Board and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
and stay informed on matters that relate to farm commodity and farm chemical
safety and security.
6. Develop and support agriculture
leadership within the
Specific Responsibilities:
1. Provide Extension leadership in
reviewing and assessing the horticulture industry situation in relation to the
region, state, nation, and world. Communicate and interact with related
commodity groups.
2. Provide leadership to determine
priority needs in the horticulture industry in cooperation with local Extension
staff and stakeholder groups. Develop advisory group(s) or other
structures for program development and input.
3. Provide clientele/producers
current and timely technical recommendations applicable to industry through
farm visits, one to one contact, group presentations, newsletters, direct mail,
news releases, electronic media and other means. Provide farmers and other
agriculturalists with the results of unbiased research results in agriculture
and other related subject matter areas.
4. Provide leadership and support to
the Agricultural Industry through active participation in relevant Area of
Expertise teams.
5. Serve as the lead county Extension
educator in matters pertaining to farm labor policy education and stay informed
with key local and state organizations that support/coordinate/administer
programs for farm labor.
6. Serve as an information resource
for Extension personnel throughout the district and region. Maintain and
update databases of horticulture producers to include: fruit, vegetable,
ornamental horticulture, and floriculture.
7. Develop Educational Initiatives,
based upon program priorities in accordance with local needs, advisory groups,
and established policies and procedures.
8. Assist growers in developing a
strong farm financial management system based on recordkeeping, cost of
production data, computer assisted decision-making and long-range planning.
9. Cooperate with other educators,
with AOE team, with campus based departments/specialists in establishing,
conducting, and evaluating demonstrations and research efforts in the
area. Cooperate with other USDA, county, and state agencies that support
agriculture industries.
10. Communicate the Extension and research needs of the
area to campus based departments, crop integrators, and research
partners. Assist departments and AOE team in determining these needs
through interaction with state commodity groups and associations
11. Cooperate with county and campus based Extension
staff in developing and implementing programs for improved crop production and
products (including strategies for value added products), improved management
decision making, and overall advancement in the industry. Conduct
educational programming in proper pesticide use, storage, and safety.
12. Regularly share plans and results with County
Extension Director and other appropriate Extension colleagues.
13. Develop and utilize appropriate media methods to
communicate current information about the industry to producers. Use
communication technologies (e mail, FAX, Web Page, etc.) to keep producers
aware of current pest conditions.
14. Actively participate in conferences, in service
education, and professional development activities to continually improve
technical expertise and proficiency as an educator. Submit reports,
evaluations, and other materials in a timely fashion, as required by MSUE.
15. Facilitate interactions with appropriate industry
groups and associations within the region as well as on a statewide basis.
16. Work with appropriate team members to meet the
natural resource and public policy programming needs related to agriculture,
environment, and land use issues.
17. Work with Extension Council and other advisory
groups for support of Extension programming.
18. Implement the directives and objectives of Equal
Opportunity and Affirmative Action regarding the availability of Extension
programs. Strive to reach a diverse audience and extend Extension
programs to under served audiences.
19. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Master's degree related to horticulture with focus on fruit and/or
ornamentals. Course work or experience in integrated pest or crop
management or entomology preferred. Three years of Extension and/or
Extension related experience. Experience in improved crops management
practices to increase profitability, reduce undesirable environmental impacts,
manage insects and diseases, and food safety. Prior experiences in
conducting programs related to Integrated Pest Management, Integrated Crop
Management and value added products preferred. Knowledge of farm
management practices such as farm labor, records, financial planning, marketing
channels and organizations preferred. Demonstrated ability to develop
leadership in the agriculture community. Ability to manage multiple and varied
tasks required. Ability to accept and delegate responsibility.
Effective oral and written communication skills. Knowledge and skills in
the use of computers for use in educational programming and management
required. Understanding of and a commitment to equal opportunity, affirmative
action and diversity/pluralism. Upon employment, must reside within
Responsible to:
This position is responsible to the County Extension Director in
Michigan State University Extension
employment opportunities are open to eligible/qualified persons without regard
to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. Persons
with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable
accommodations.
MSU Southwest
Phone: 269/671-2444
Fax: 269/671-2409
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
END 0f MI organic news for week of June 19-23
Wish you all a good week ahead!!
Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach
Specialist
C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems
303 Natural Resources Bldg.
517-353-3542
517-282-3557 (cell)
517-353-3834 (fax)
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