"Biofuels: Boom Or Bust For Montana Producers?", 11/9, Bozeman, Montana

2007-11-09 08:00:00

Hilton Garden Inn

Contact: http://www.montana.edu/extensionecon/biofuels.html or Joel Schumacher at 994-6637

Conference set Nov. 9 on biofuels for Montana ag producers

Montana producers interested in assessing how biofuels will impact their farm or ranch’s bottom-line can attend the "Biofuels: Boom or Bust for Montana Producers?" conference Friday Nov. 9 in Bozeman.

The conference features a national expert on the economics of energy from Purdue University as well as experts in the field from Montana. The program will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn. More information, including the complete agenda, speaker biographies and registration forms can be found at http://www.montana.edu/extensionecon/biofuels.html or by contacting Joel Schumacher at 994-6637 or [email protected].

A discounted registration fee of $145 is available until Oct. 1 after which the fee is $195. Early registration is recommended as space is limited for this conference.

The keynote speaker at the conference is Wally Tyner of Purdue University. Tyner is an expert in the economics of oil, coal, natural gas, ethanol and renewable energy policy. Other speakers include Howard Haines, manager of the Montana Bioenergy Program of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Haines has more than 25 years experience working with alternative energy in Montana. In addition, Ted Dodge, executive director of the National Carbon Offset Coalition will discuss the impact of carbon based land management practices on farm and ranch income.

The conference also will feature a sessions on oilseed production, research and uses in Montana. Speakers at these sessions include Chengci Chen of the Central Agricultural Research Center in Moccasin, Kent McVay of the Southern Agricultural Research Center, Alice Pilgeram of the MSU Biobased Institute and Darrin Boss of the Northern Agricultural Research Center. Miles City Community College staff will demonstrate small scale oilseed processing and biodiesel production.

The conference is sponsored by Montana State University Extension, Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana Farm Bureau and the National Center for Appropriate Technology.

Contact: Joel B. Schumacher (406) 994-6637 or [email protected]