9:54 We had some difficulties getting online with the local wifi, so we had to good to our aircard. Loni Kemp (Minnesota Project), Kevin Papp (Minnesota Farm Bureau), and Doug Tiffany (U of M) have given their statements so far. Thom Petersen is speaking now.
Loni Kemp opened by talking about how thrilled she was to drive into Minnesota and see renewable energy projects : wind farms, trucks from Fagen Construction zooming by on their way to new ethanol plants. she stressed the need to move to cellulostic ethanol and clean up water quality. Papp talked about how ag spending, like education, is an investment, and so we need to keep a safety net for farmer (at this point, connectiviity issues forced me to leave the room for a bit).
Doug Tiffany focused on envirnomental issues and how ag can be an answer. Thom Peterson stressed the need to aid beginning farmers and the promises of reneewable energy, reviewing federal and state legislation to address the issue. Bob Worth, former president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers, devoted his opening remarks to renewable energy, especially biodiesel and wind, conservation programs, and the need for more research in plant genetics and insect control.
George Crocker, North American Water Office, noted the connection between renewable energy, conservation, and financial resources, and the need to quickly launch CBED, community based energy districts, to capture economic development dollars in rural communities, rather than corporations based elesewhere. He praised the wind turbine planted being located in Pipestone. Unfortunately, outside corporations capture most of the income from those turbines once they're erected. CBED will negotiate more dollars toward local communities.
Nancy Adams asks a question about the need to conserve water and improve water quality. Kevin Papp notes the conflict between agriculture and Oberstar's bill for regulating water. Crocker talks about the importance of water quality to his good. Kemp notes the development of closed loop systems for ethanol plants. Thom Peterson notes state legislation directed toward improving water quality, citing Jeremy Kalin's work in particular.
10:07 There's a question from a farmer and ag lender from Wells about soybeans and biodiesels. Worth talks about the thin margins in the biodiesel industry. Tiffany suggests that cooking oils can be recycled for biodiesel, and animal fats from slaughtering plants could be another sources. Biodiesel will be important but not as big as ethanol. Worth jumps in again with mention of foreign biodiesel being brought into the country through a loophole created by the introduction of an additive. Worth talks about the time needed to breed more oil-rich beans.
A clergyman talks about the global nature of agriculture. Crocker talks about the need to create a global community.
A bison farmer asks about creating a level playing field for his emerging industrry. Petersen talks about legislation to allow meat that is slaughtered tn state inspected plants to be shipped interstate. He also recommended using the Mn DOA's Minnesota Grown program. Papp talks about how animal agricutlure is great.
A man representing Bread for the World wants to know the panelists' opinion of the trade-offs using food for energy in light of global hunger. Kemp talks about switching to cellulostic feedstocks. Papp talks about the price of energy, but reminds the audience that little of the money for a box of cereal comes from the price of grain. Worth mentions that 4.5 rows of soybeans out of 10 in the United States are exported for food, and in Minnesota, 6 rows out of 10 grown in the United States are exported for food. Crocker mentioned that the problem of hunger is one of distribution, not of production. There is enough grown for food and fuel, but it's not distributed equitably.
Walz is back from DC. He welcomes everyone, and talks about the contributions Borlaug made with the Green REvolution
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