*******************************
5. Arkansas
biodiesel plant will use 100 percent soybeans
Oct 9, 2006 10:37 AM
A new facility that will produce biodiesel fuel made entirely from soybean oil
will be built near DeWitt, Ark. Founders of Arkansas SoyEnergy Group, LLC, say
they expect to produce the first 100 percent soy-based fuel by late 2007.
The
plant will crush soybeans grown within a 50-mile radius of DeWitt, creating a
new market for area farmers as well as providing “homegrown energy”
that can be used in farm machinery and vehicles. Soybean meal from the plant
can be used for animal feed.
Arkansas
SoyEnergy is believed to be the state’s first biodiesel plant that uses
only soybeans and that is equipped to crush the beans on-site. Other biodiesel
plants in the state use soybean or cottonseed oil, animal fats or used cooking
oils to make biodiesel that is then blended with regular diesel.
“The
greatest thing about this new plant is that it will help the farmers in this
community,” said Troy Hornbeck of DeWitt, a principal in Arkansas
SoyEnergy Group. “Farmers need new markets for their crops, and they are
battling higher energy costs. Our goal is to create new markets and produce
cost-effective fuel for farmers, right here in Arkansas County.”
When
initial construction is complete, Arkansas SoyEnergy will produce 3 million
gallons of biodiesel that is 100 percent soy-based. Future expansion could more
than double the initial capacity.
Biodiesel
is any renewable fuel for diesel engines that has been made from natural oils,
and which meets the specifications of the American Society of Testing and
Materials. Pure, unblended biodiesel is called B100, and blended fuels are
labeled to show their biofuel content. For example, B20 is a blend of 20
percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel.
Arkansas
SoyEnergy Group will process up to 110,000 tons of soybeans annually, and 85
percent of that volume will leave the plant as soybean meal for use in animal
feeds.
“As
a year-round soy fuel refiner, Arkansas SoyEnergy Group will be a consistent
source of high quality soy meal that the feed mills in our region
require,” Hornbeck said. “That is another way this plant can create
a stronger market for local farmers.”
Arkansas
SoyEnergy Group is building its facility on a 22-acre tract along Highway 165
south of DeWitt. The plant will be built in phases, starting with machinery
that will crush the locally grown beans, extract and produce partially refined
soybean oil. When that work is completed next year, work can begin on the
second phase to produce up to 3 million gallons of B100 by year-end 2007.
“We
will be able to sell partially processed oil to other refiners, or we could
splash-blend the B100 on our site for delivery to the farm, or we could sell
the B100 fuel,” Hornbeck said.
B100
has been used for several years in Argentina. In the United States, biodiesel
use this year is expected to double the 75 million gallons consumed in 2005. To
meet demand, as many as 50 new biodiesel plants are being built nationwide.
Rather
than seeing other plants as competition, Arkansas SoyEnergy Group welcomes a
growing biodiesel industry. “That’s the best way to give farmers an
opportunity to succeed, plus it would improve our energy independence and help
local economies,” Hornbeck said.
Arkansas
farmers produce approximately 124 million bushels of soybeans. A bushel will
yield about 1.3 gallons of B100.
The
Arkansas SoyEnergy plant is designed to allow still more expansion, with the
potential for up to 6.5 million gallons of soy-based B100 in the future.
Arkansas
SoyEnergy Group was founded by Jeff, Troy and Jon Hornbeck, all of DeWitt. They
also own and manage a family farm and the Hornbeck Seed Company, based in
DeWitt. Starting in 1981, Hornbeck Seed has grown into one of the
Mid-South’s premier dealers of proprietary soybean products.
http://www.ipm.msu.edu/plants/results.htm
is a web site with data of flowering period of native plants. Using these
results can help you in selection of plants to encourage and propagate for
buffer zones and natural areas on your farm. This study has found the when
plants are in bloom then beneficial insects will be attracted to the area, thus
making them a possible control of agronomic pest insects, especially
Lepidoptera larvae.
Community Supported Agriculture putting down roots
FLUSHING TOWNSHIP
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
By Ron Krueger
[log in to unmask] • 810.766.6117
QUICK TAKE |
How does this garden grow? What: A Community
Supported Agriculture program is where a farmer sells shares to produce buyers who
also work in the field. Number: There are 75
gardens listed at www.csafarms.org, the Web site for CSA Michigan. Cost: Shares (usually
run about $400 for a season) depending on how much work you do. What you get: A season
of organically grown produce. How old: A version was
created in Switzerland in the 1980s. It came to the States in 1985. |
FLUSHING
TWP. - Sue Jarema drove past supermarkets, farmers markets and roadside farm
stands to buy fresh vegetables all summer.
She
drove each week, starting in mid-May, to Patricia Whetham's farm. She paid a
onetime fee and got a good deal, but there was one catch.
She
had to toil in Whetham's garden.
For
her money, Jarema not only got more organically grown produce than she could
use, she got some sun on her back, some dirt under her fingers, made new
friends and got acquainted with kale and kohlrabi.
The
concept is called Community Supported Agriculture and it is growing. There are
75 gardens listed at www.csafarms.org, the Web site for CSA Michigan.
Whetham
has been growing and selling vegetables for three decades, but this is the
first year she ventured into CSA.
Four
families signed on for a full "share." They each paid about $400
upfront, agreeing to put in 25 hours in exchange for 20 weekly vegetable
assortments.
Eight
other families bought half-shares. Jarema and her husband, Chuck Barker, were
one of those. Even then, they received more produce than they could use.
"I
froze some green beans but gave stuff away some weeks," she said.
The
CSA concept is traced to Japan. Some housewives took note of a decline in the
number of farms and more food imports and approached a farmer about helping him
in exchange for a ready supply of fruits and vegetables.
A
version was created in Switzerland in the 1980s. A Massachusetts woman, Robyn
Van En, created her model at her Indian Line Farm and called it Community
Supported Agriculture. That was 1985.
The
sum collected from consumers is supposed to cover the gardener's expenses and
pay them a nominal salary. The reality is that considerable time and effort are
required to run a CSA garden, according to Diane Franklin of Springfield
Township.
"We're
in our fifth year, and we're just starting to make money," she said.
Franklin and her husband, John, own Rocky Gardens Farm.
The
Franklins have 39 shareholding families for their 1 1/2-acre garden.
One
thing they learned is that some people who like the idea of trading their time
for fresh produce don't appreciate the commitment.
"I
tell people upfront they have to plan to make most of their meals at home every
week, week after week," Diane Franklin said. "Once the stuff
(produce) starts coming, it keeps coming. You won't be able to take some weeks
off and go out to eat three times."
She
also has frank words for some new CSA gardeners and anyone thinking of going
that route.
"It's
a trial-and-error enterprise, and you will want to build slowly. Don't sell too
many shares at first. If you can't deliver the produce you promise, you will
lose members and get a reputation you don't want."
Jarema,
48, magistrate in Flint's 68th District Court, said she bought a half share in
Whetham's garden out of health concerns.
"I
was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, and my husband has had some health
problems," she says. "I decided it was time to eat better food."
Jarema
says she has logged about 10 hours weeding, picking and doing other chores. But
that still doesn't meet her obligation. "I'll be spending a whole Saturday
out there this month helping clean things up for the winter."
Jarema's
half-share costs about $200. But Whetham also permits shareholders to get a
variety box of produce without lifting a finger. But they pay $600 for a full
share.
"I
only had one nonworking member this year, "Whetham said. "That
defeats the purpose, but it's an option."
Molly
Boons of Grand Blanc is another of Whetham's half-share families. She said she
is cooking and eating vegetables she spurned in the past.
"When
I found beets in my box, I roasted them, and my 2-year-old son loves
them," Boons said. "We noticed the salad greens stayed fresh longer
than the ones you buy in the store."
Three
Roods CSA garden in Lapeer County's Marathon Township, started in 1995, is one
of the older ones in Michigan.
"We've
always kept it small, about 2 acres," said Robin Mallor. "We have
eight shareholders representing 10 families. Each one is expected to put in
three hours here every four weeks."
About
half of those families are from Macomb County and take turns driving to pick up
produce, Mallor added.
Whetham
said a big part of a CSA host's obligation is to educate members.
"These
are people who believe in buying locally, but most have never gardened and
aren't familiar with some of these vegetables.
"I also noticed my shareholders
getting to know each other, which reflects the community part."
7. U.P.
Agricultural Experiment Station Fall Beef Research
Day October 17, 2006
U.P. Agricultural Experiment Station,
Chatham, MI
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (lunch on
your own)
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Weaning Research Observation
Observe research in progress on comparison of 3 weaning
strategies for beef calves. Which is least stressful? The investigators will
be on hand to discuss the data they are collecting and how it may apply to your
operation.
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Beef Topics
Round-Table Discussion
Bring your questions for the MSU specialists in an informal
round-table discussion. Topics will also include winter feeding strategies and
the latest on animal identification.
MSU Specialists
Dan Buskirk – Dept. of Animal
Science – Beef Nutrition & Mgmt.
Janice Siegford – Dept. of Animal
Science – Animal Behavior & Welfare
Ben Bartlett – Extension Beef/Dairy
Educator
Paul Naasz – U.P. Agricultural
Experiment Station Manager
8. WTO
Rules in Favor of Biotech
The World Trade Organization (WTO)
ruled in favor of the U.S., Argentina, and Canada in their WTO case against the
EU over its illegal moratorium on approving agricultural biotech products.
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said, "Today's decision affirms what
the world's farmers have known about biotechnology for many years. Since the
first biotechnology crops were commercialized in 1996, we've seen double-digit
increases in their adoption every single year. Biotechnology crops not only are
helping to meet the world's food needs, they also are having a positive
environmental impact on our soil and water resources." - Scott Shearer
Vicki Morrone
Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist
Michigan State University
C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems
303 Natural Resources Bldg.
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-353-3542
517-282-3557 (cell)
517-353-3834 (fax)
http://safs.msu.edu/
http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/