Farm Energy Calendar of Events

July 10, 2008
Goldsboro, North Carolina

"Fueling the Farm II: Managing energy risks, reducing energy costs and exploring alternative energy sources" is part of the Seasons of Sustainable Agriculture series at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems. This day-long workshop will provide farmers and other participants with information and tools to explore and evaluate farm energy use, potential economic risk and ways of reducing on-farm energy usage and expenses. Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects will be discussed and demonstrated and potential funding sources will be identified. Biofuel production topics will be a specific breakout thread and will include the step by step demonstration of biofuel production.

July 11, 2008
Goldsboro, North Carolina

Piedmont Biofuels will teach a 'hands on' workshop on biodiesel production at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems. Topics to be covered and demonstrated will include equipment set up and design, materials and supplies, titration, running the reaction, washing, drying, testing, and final product evaluation. Additionally they will demonstrate a small oil seed press, and describe the steps necessary to produce biodiesel from an oilseed crop.

July 15-16, 2008
Grand Forks, North Dakota

Biomass '08: Power, Fuels, and Chemicals Workshop features cutting edge presentations on new technology developments, as well as opportunities for economic production of power, transportation fuels, and chemical feedstocks from biomass. Biomass '08 is sponsored by the Centers for Renewable Energy and Biomass Utilization, the U.S. Department of Energy, with collaborating sponsor, the North Dakota Department of Commerce Division of Community Services State Energy Program, and BBI International.

July 21-24, 2008
Albuquerque, New Mexico

This training will help tribal leaders and staff understand the range of energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities that exist within their communities. The sessions are offered free of charge to tribal members and Bureau of Indian Affairs employees.

July 21-25, 2008
Ames, Iowa

This 5-day workshop format includes business management for biodiesel producers, biodiesel analytical methods, and biodiesel production technology. The Ames workshops are held at the Biomass Energy Conversion Center (BECON) of the Iowa Energy Center.

July 25-27, 2008
John Day, Oregon

The Eastern Oregon Renewable Energies Non-profit presents Solwest Fair, an occasion for learning, networking, and supporting all types of renewable energy. This three-day event offers engaging activities for all ages and knowledge levels. Participants from around the western region and beyond come to join the SolWest community and learn about energy efficiency, solar and wind energy, alternatively fueled vehicles, and more.

July 26, 2008
Lyons, Nebraska

Nebraska Renewable Energy Association presents this full-day workshop at the Off-Grid Energy Farm, featuring training at Nebraska Screw Press.

July 26-27, 2008
Pittsboro, North Carolina

The advanced class by girl Mark is designed for those who already make biodiesel (full-scale or test batches) or have attended hands-on workshops. Quality control will be covered in great detail, along with analysis of real-world problems with offspec biodiesel, different options in washing, and much more.

July 30 - August 1, 2008
Orlando, Florida

The Florida Farm to Fuel™ Summit for 2008 will attract an audience of agricultural producers, fuel producers and suppliers, government officials, venture capitalists, financiers, etc.

August 8, 2008
Flagstaff, Arizona

Mark Glauth, NAU Research Associate; Tom Acker, NAU Mechanical Engineering, and Gary Deason, Center for Sustainable Environments will be the presenters. Join them for a luncheon presentation that assesses the links between water use and energy costs.

August 12-14, 2008
Tifton, Georgia

At this third annual conference, experts will be on hand to deliver the latest information and answer questions on the changing face of the bioenergy market. Topics include energy crops, emerging technologies, product quality, and conservation and renewables.

August 18-22, 2008
Bloomington, Minnesota

The goal of this conference is to initiate and provide opportunities for scientific exchange and full integration of the science and application of producing both agricultural and forest crops for biofuels, bioenergy, and bioproducts. This conference offers an international forum for discussion and scientific exchange about methods for overcoming barriers to economically and sustainably producing large quantities of biofuels, bioenergy, and bioproducts.

August 30, 2008
Plainfield, Iowa

At this Practical Farmers of Iowa field day, Kim Odden, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College instructor, will demonstrate the process from seed to fuel and discuss issues important to on-farm biodiesel. Oilseed plantings on site at the Laydon and Mennenga farm will illustrate cropping possibilities.

September 8-9, 2008
Ames, Iowa

"Growing the Bioeconomy: from Foundational Science to Sustainable Practice" will focus on strategies to achieve the new federal cellulosic biofuels mandate and advance the Midwestern Governors Association energy and climate change platform. The schedule includes presentations of research, tours, and demonstrations.

September 10-12, 2008
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is pleased to announce the third annual Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy. This meeting will continue and expand the essential exchange between industry, academia and government that has been so successful at the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing. The Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy will highlight recent advances in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics in the energy and manufacturing space. The conference organizers hope to foster international business relationships that will spur development of biobased economies in countries that have large agricultural feedstock resources.

September 17, 2008
Sioux Center, Iowa

Under Dr. Ethan Brue, Dordt College, alternative design criteria have been used to develop a small-scale ethanol system that can be maintained and operated by an individual farmer or group of on-farm producers. At this Practical Farmers of Iowa field day, participants will have the opportunity to see this equipment in operation, view sorghum research trials, and take part in the discussion of economics and feasibility of home-grown ethanol.
Also, learn about PFI’s new energy project.

September 17-19, 2008
Napa, California

These workshops will address Waste-to-Energy, Combined Heat and Power, and Energy Efficiency for Farmers and Food Processors in California.

September 19-21, 2008
Kempton, Pennsylvania

This event is a three-day festival about renewable energy, natural building construction, sustainable agriculture, land-use planning, forestry and healthy living practices in general. Featuring dynamic speakers, national exhibitors, workshops, hands-on demonstrations, vendors, live music and entertainment, children's activities, food and more.

September 24 - 25, 2008
Portland, Oregon

American Wind Energy Association presents a two-day workshop, addressing current practices, wind speed studies, and identifying and reducing measurement bias and uncertainty. Landowners and project developers are among those encouraged to attend.

September 27, 2008
Cambria, Iowa

At this Practical Farmers of Iowa field day, producers will learn what they can do to prepare for cellulosic bioenergy. Also, this event will show farmers and land owners how to convert to switchgrass from cool-season grasses.

October 6-8, 2008
Madison, Wisconsin

This 8th annual conference addresses methane, ethanol, biodiesel, compost and bioproducts. Topics include biomass inventory, anaerobic digestion, biogas, and emerging technologies, among others.