By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Farmers, entrepreneurs and resource managers may learn about the production of feedstocks for biofuel and the use of alternative energy in agriculture during the Michigan State University extension’s program Energizing your Future: Opportunities in Michigan’s Bioeconomy.

Sessions are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 24 in Charlotte, Feb. 25 in Frankenmuth, Feb. 27 in Mount Pleasant and March 13 in Dowagiac. Chris Peterson, director of the MSU Product Center, and Ruben Derderian, the center’s associate director for bioeconomy, will begin each session with a look at the current status and future opportunities presented by Michigan’s bioeconomy.

During his presentation, Derderian will explore the concept of the bioeconomy and how farmers can become involved.

“We want to, first, define what we think the bioeconomy is, and give them a little history and a current update because there are a lot of issues associated with the bioeconomy today,” Derderian said.
“There are some very good opportunities for them in the area of the bioeconomy that they may not be aware of or may want more info, to decide that it’s a direction they want to transition their farming.”

With the recent economic downturn and its impacts on agriculture, especially farmers’ experiences growing corn for ethanol production in an environment of rapidly skyrocketing and falling prices, Derderian realizes growers may hesitate to explore production of unproven commodities. However, he urges farmers to educate themselves on the possibilities.

“Five years from now, ethanol will probably be made from cellulosic-type products as opposed to food products,” he said. “We see the production of ethanol using new sources of feedstocks such as waste from forestry, fast-growing softwood trees such as poplar, and switchgrass.

“Farmers may want to participate by setting aside some land or taking land not tillable and planting this new feedstock on it. The nice thing about most of the cellulosic stuff is it will grow almost anywhere – on poor soil as well as good soil.”

The $15 registration fee is due one week prior to each meeting. It includes lunch and all materials.

To register for the Charlotte program, contact the Eaton County extension office at 517-372-5594; for the Frankenmuth program, the Saginaw County office at 989-758-2500; for the Mount Pleasant program, the Isabella County office at 989-772-0911 ext. 302; and for the Dowagiac program, the Cass County office at 269-445-4438.
To reach any county extension office directly, call toll-free 888-MSUE-4MI (678-3464) and follow the instructions.