<b>By SARAH B. AUBREY<br>
Indiana Correspondent</b> </p><p>

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Several Indiana agriculture leaders were recognized last week during the annual stakeholder meeting for Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance, Inc. (CICCA) at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.<br>

Receiving Partner Awards for their contributions to the organization’s mission and general support were CountryMark staff Steve Thomas and Belinda Puetz. Cary Aubrey, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, was also named as a Partner Award recipient.<br>

CICCA further honors members for their achievements and contributions to the promotion of biofuel. From Integrity Biofuels in Morristown, Charles “Shorty” Whittington and his son, John, were honored as “champions in the biodiesel industry in all areas, including production, implementation and regulation”. Other awards were given to members outside the agriculture arena.<br>

According to the organization’s website, CICCA is sponsored in part by the United States Department of Energy and was created to promote alternative fuel vehicles and “grassroots level” fuels. Stakeholders include a cross-section of fuel resource providers, private companies and trade groups.<br>

According to Executive Director Kellie Walsh, the group strives to be “fuel-neutral,” working to promote alternative fuel sources across commodities.<br>

“The coalition started as fleet-based, but in my opinion, since E85 is an especially consumer-friendly alternative fuel choice, we’ve evolved to include fuel retailers,” Walsh noted, adding agriculture groups are some of the organization’s best partners in promotion to the public.<br>

“Ag is here because of biofuels like ethanol. Their campaigns are really helpful to get our message out to the general public. We can support agriculture, our economy and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”<br>

Agriculture trade groups such as the Indiana Corn Growers and the Indiana Soybean Alliance are members of CICCA and see the value.<br>

“It makes the most sense for us to be involved, because we’re working with cleaner fuels and renewable fuels. This organization is a great resource that brings all sources together from natural gas to electric,” said Karl Locasio, manager of Biofuels for the Indiana Soybean Alliance.<br>

CountryMark, well-known as Indiana’s farmer-owned cooperative and the largest distributor of biodiesel in the state, likes the tie-in with CICCA.<br>

“We’re here to promote for two reasons,” began Steve Thomas, sales manager for Energy Products. “First, biofuels are right, and second, they are very important to our farmer-owners.”
Thomas said CICCA’s annual functions and workshops give groups like CountryMark the opportunity to promote biofuel at a variety of levels.<br>

Larry Kinser, business development manager for Energy Products at CountryMark, likes the public awareness that groups such as CICCA create.<br>

“These organizations do a great job of educating the public about fuel alternatives and about that fact that farmers are also really green,” Kinser said.<br>

CICCA operates on grant dollars and, largely, on member dues. The organization holds educational and training workshops throughout the year geared toward fleets, first response groups, fuel retailers and others.<br>

For more information, contact Walsh at 317-834-3754 or kwalsh@cicca.org or visit the organization’s website at www.cicca.org