I hope everyone is enjoying the winter, and in particular the fresh snow!

We had a great time connecting with Vermonters who were interested in the Vermont Bioenergy Initiative while at the annual Vermont Farm Show. We showcased, among other materials, a brand new case study that is part of a series of on-farm energy profiles produced with support from Cabot Creamery, Organic Valley, Ben & Jerry’s and Stonyfield. This case study — on oilseed and biodiesel production  at Borderview Farm in Alburgh (VBI grant fund recipient) — flew off the table. We hope you will find it of interest and please do share it widely.

 

The Farm to Plate Energy Cross-cutting Team is completing a chapter for the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan on energy in food systems that will be of interest to farmers and researchers, including writing contributions from many others in the industry. Chris Callahan, an agricultural engineer with University of Vermont Extension, is the chairperson of the Team.

 

General Systems Research based in South Burlington, another recipient of grant funds from VBI, has announced the development of a private lab and the launch of a new study assessing the feasibility of using waste streams from a local dairy and brewery to grow algae for oil. The oil will be processed into biodiesel and can be interchangeable with heating, diesel, and jet fuel. The leftover “algae cake” will be used as a potent organic crop fertilizer. The project is part of Farm to Fly 2.0, a program of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative to further the development of bio-jet fuel. Learn more about algae for biofuel production on our new website.

Vermont Bioenergy Initiative has a new website, www.vermontbioenergy.com

 

The NEW  Vermont Bioenergy Initiative website is a growing resource library including image galleries, reports, and helpful links for teachers, students, entrepreneurs, farmers, and others interested in bioenergy. Sections of the website focus on oilseeds for biodiesel production, algae for biodiesel, and grass for heating fuel and each includes profiles of VBI grantees working in these fields.

 

In addition to the website, you can keep tabs on bioenergy development in Vermont by following our new regular column in Green Energy Times, “Emerging Frontiers in Bioenergy.”

 

Warmly,

Sarah Galbraith

Vermont Bioenergy Initiative Program Manager
A program of Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund