(February 8) On February 8, 2010, USDA issued its proposed rule to implement the 2008 Farm Bill’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). In the same proposal USDA also terminated an interim funding program under BCAP which has cost the government far more than expected.
USDA is accepting public comments on its BCAP proposal through April 9, 2010. Here is a copy of the proposal (opens in new window); otherwise, read on for more information on the proposal. (more…)
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently visited the Flick Seed Company and Show Me Energy Cooperative as part of the Obama Administration’s Rural Tour. Secretary Vilsack praised the operation as a model to “create new opportunities in rural communities and new markets for farm products.”
Shortly after Secretary Vilsack’s visit, Show Me Energy Cooperative became the first in the nation to be approved under the USDA’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), providing a working model for sustainable biomass energy. Flick and his partners have developed an agricultural enterprise that provides jobs and increased income for growers – all while helping to slow global warming. (more…)
While energy crops like switchgrass are generally associated with liquid fuel production, a recent report (pdf) from Agrecol Corporation suggests that other routes can use the energy source sooner, and perhaps, even more efficiently. Pellets can be an efficient solution for heating-a challenge for many rural businesses in the midst of high and volatile fuel costs.
Rather than wait for cellulosic ethanol, grass pellets are today fueling space heating, power generation and other high efficiency uses. This approach “primes the pump” for developing energy crop economies so that they will be more ready to deliver when cellulosic ethanol is market-ready. (more…)