Conference Agenda

Agri-Energy Brochure

March 30, 2009

7:30 a.m. - Registration opens

8:30-9:45 a.m.

Michigan Energy Policy - What it means for Michigan Agriculture
- Honorable Terry Brown, (D-Pigeon)
- Monica Martinez, Commissioner, Michigan Public Service Commission

10 a.m.-noon - Breakout Sessions

Biomass Production (Facilitator: Dennis Pennington)
Learn about sustainable production of biomass crops like switchgrass and miscanthus. Explore their potential for profit and projected demand.
- Sustainable Biomass Production, Phil Robertson, MSU
- Switchgrass and Miscanthus, Kurt Thelen, MSU
- Michigan Biomass Inventory, Steve Miller, MSU

Anaerobic Digestion (Facilitator: Charles Gould)
Anaerobic digesters can be put to use on small and medium-sized farms. This session will feature new approaches and research on small-scale anaerobic digestion.
- Small Scale Digestion with Algae, Wei Liao, MSU
- Small scale digestion using the Costa Rican-style digester, Vance Haugen, UWEX
- Results of biogas potential project, Steve Safferman, MSU
- Farmer Perspective, Rodger Decker, Top Deck Dairy
- NOTE: bus will not return until 4:30 p.m.

Large Wind (Facilitator: Lynn Hamilton)
Are you thinking about signing a wind energy contract? Before you do, take time to learn about the legal aspects of wind contracts and the feasibility of community wind energy.
- Understanding the Legal Aspects of a Wind Contract, David Schweikhardt, MSU
- The Economics of Community Wind, Lynn Hamilton, MSU

Solar/Geothermal (Facilitator: Steve Harsh)
Would you like to cut your energy bill? This session will look at options for solar energy and geothermal heating systems.
- Solar Options for Michigan's Climate, Mark Bauer, Bauer Power
- Basics of Geothermal, Art Thayer, Michigan Electric Cooperative Association

12:00-1:15 pm - Lunch with Keynote Presentation

Food and Fuel: Can American farmers produce both?
- Rick Tolman, National Corn Growers Association

1:30-3:30 p.m. - Breakout Sessions

Biomass Logistics (Facilitator: Dennis Pennington)
Harvesting, storing and handling large amount of biomass brings many challenges. Experts will share their experience with regional processing and compressing of biomass for transport.
- Regional Processing of Biomass, Joe Carolan, MSU
- Densification of Biomass, Jim Mennell, Renewafuels LLC

Conversion Technologies (Facilitator: Mark Seamon)
The energy contained in biomass is difficult to extract. This session will cover new and emerging approaches for converting biomass into energy.
- Cellulosic Biofuels, Darold McCalla, MBI
- Biomass Fast Pyrolysis, Chris Saffron, MSU
- Gasification, Dave Prouty, Heat Transfer International (HTI)

Small Wind (Facilitator: Lynn Hamilton)
Can you benefit from wind energy at your residence or business? In many cases, you can cost effectively offset your electricity costs with smaller wind turbines sized for your needs. The presenter in this session will explain how.
- What is Involved in Small Wind Production, John Patten, WMU
- Michigan Anemometer Loan Program, Steve Harsh, MSU

Forest Product Resources (Facilitator: Anthony Weatherspoon)
Find out how your land or woodlot can be used to generate renewable energy. Crops like hybrid poplar and residues will make significant contributions to the renewable fuels stream.
- Bioenergy and Feedstock Supply Chains, Donna LaCourt, MEDC
- Woody Biomass Inventory, Karen Potter-Witter, MSU
- Woody Biomass Energy Plantation, Robert Froese, MTU

3:30-5:30 p.m. - Reception Trade Show/Poster Session

Dinner and continued networking on your own with area restaurants listed in flyer

March 31, 2009

8:30-9:45 a.m.

Farm Bill - Energy Title
- Andy Olsen, Environmental Law and Policy Center
- USDA Representative

10:00-noon - Breakout Sessions

Policy and Programs (Facilitator: Lynn Hamilton)
Would you like to begin producing energy crops on your farm? Find out what grants and cost share programs are in place to help you get started.
- Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Dennis Pennington, MSU Extension
- Grants, Traci Smith, USDA Rural Development
- Current and Pending Legislation, Ryan Findlay, Michigan Farm Bureau

Cutting Edge Technology (Facilitator: Mark Seamon)
This session will cover emerging technologies for renewable energy. Learn how algae cultivation, on-farm ethanol production and cellulosic ethanol will contribute to the renewable fuels stream.
- Algae Biofuel Production, Wei Liao, MSU
- On Farm Ethanol Production, Jim Zook, Innovative Concepts of Ethanol
- Cellulosic Ethanol - Breeding for Biomass and Biofuels, Miriam Sticklen, MSU

Energy Conservation (Facilitator: Terri Novak)
Do you need to upgrade your grain dryer or put in a new milking system? During this session the presenter will identify programs that can help you conserve energy and provide financial incentives.
- Energy Conservation for the Homeowner, Roger Doherty
- Energy Audit Programs for Michigan Agriculture, Truman Surbrook & Aluel Go, MSU
- On Farm Fuel Saving Tips, Mike Staton, MSU Extension

Land Use (Facilitator: Blake Johnson)
How we use our land for food and energy production is very important. Discover sustainable practices that fit with local land use plans in this session.
- Land Use and Sustainability, Rick Tolman, National Corn Growers Association
- Wind Resource Zones, MPSC Staff
- Net Metering, MPSC Staff

12:00-1:00 pm - Lunch and Closing Presentation

Crystal Ball Gazing - What is the Future of Bioenergy?
With the prospect of lower energy prices and higher production costs, how will renewable energy contribute to energy independence and security? This speaker will explore the past, present and a glimpse into the future of renewable energy production in America.

March 31

1:00-4:00 pm - Offsite Tours

Energy Conservation (Facilitator: Terri Novak and Traci Smith)
Come and see how two greenhouses are reducing their energy costs by using an energy curtain and an outdoor biomass boiler system. The owners will share how they have put these technologies to work in their businesses.

Electric and Heat solutions through Agri-Energy (Facilitator: Steve Harsh)
Explore the potential for small-scale wind at Western Michigan University and the role wind energy can play in job creation. Then, travel to a commercial organic greenhouse that uses a combination of wind power, solar and geothermal to meet its energy needs.

Renewable Fuels/Feedstocks (Facilitators: Pat Poli and Bob Craig)
Explore current research on biodiesel production from soybeans and green algae feedstock being conducted at Western Michigan University. Visit a commercial biodiesel biorefinery that makes fuel and a variety of green chemicals.

Anaerobic Digesters in Action (Facilitator: Charles Gould)
See a working dairy farm that uses anaerobic digesters to generate electricity and produce pipeline quality gas. Get a firsthand look at the facility and learn about the challenges and successes in producing biogas.


	Home Partners Conference Agenda Registration Lodging Call for Posters Sponsors / Exhibitors Contact Us Conference Agenda Agri-Energy Brochure March 30, 2009 7:30 a.m. - Registration opens 8:30-9:45 a.m. Michigan Energy Policy - What it means for Michigan Agriculture Honorable Terry Brown, (D-Pigeon) Monica Martinez, Commissioner, Michigan Public Service Commission 10 a.m.-noon - Breakout Sessions Biomass Production (Facilitator: Dennis Pennington) Learn about sustainable production of biomass crops like switchgrass and miscanthus. Explore their potential for profit and projected demand. Sustainable Biomass Production, Phil Robertson, MSU Switchgrass and Miscanthus, Kurt Thelen, MSU Michigan Biomass Inventory, Steve Miller, MSU Anaerobic Digestion (Facilitator: Charles Gould) Anaerobic digesters can be put to use on small and medium-sized farms. This session will feature new approaches and research on small-scale anaerobic digestion. Small Scale Digestion with Algae, Wei Liao, MSU Small scale digestion using the Costa Rican-style digester, Vance Haugen, UWEX Results of biogas potential project, Steve Safferman, MSU Farmer Perspective, Rodger Decker, Top Deck Dairy NOTE: bus will not return until 4:30 p.m. Large Wind (Facilitator: Lynn Hamilton) Are you thinking about signing a wind energy contract? Before you do, take time to learn about the legal aspects of wind contracts and the feasibility of community wind energy. Understanding the Legal Aspects of a Wind Contract, David Schweikhardt, MSU The Economics of Community Wind, Lynn Hamilton, MSU Solar/Geothermal (Facilitator: Steve Harsh) Would you like to cut your energy bill? This session will look at options for solar energy and geothermal heating systems. Solar Options for Michigan's Climate, Mark Bauer, Bauer Power Basics of Geothermal, Art Thayer, Michigan Electric Cooperative Association 12:00-1:15 pm - Lunch with Keynote Presentation Food and Fuel: Can American farmers produce both? Rick Tolman, National Corn Growers Association 1:30-3:30 p.m. - Breakout Sessions Biomass Logistics (Facilitator: Dennis Pennington) Harvesting, storing and handling large amount of biomass brings many challenges. Experts will share their experience with regional processing and compressing of biomass for transport. Regional Processing of Biomass, Joe Carolan, MSU Densification of Biomass, Jim Mennell, Renewafuels LLC Conversion Technologies (Facilitator: Mark Seamon) The energy contained in biomass is difficult to extract. This session will cover new and emerging approaches for converting biomass into energy. Cellulosic Biofuels, Darold McCalla, MBI Biomass Fast Pyrolysis, Chris Saffron, MSU Gasification, Dave Prouty, Heat Transfer International (HTI) Small Wind (Facilitator: Lynn Hamilton) Can you benefit from wind energy at your residence or business? In many cases, you can cost effectively offset your electricity costs with smaller wind turbines sized for your needs. The presenter in this session will explain how. What is Involved in Small Wind Production, John Patten, WMU Michigan Anemometer Loan Program, Steve Harsh, MSU Forest Product Resources (Facilitator: Anthony Weatherspoon) Find out how your land or woodlot can be used to generate renewable energy. Crops like hybrid poplar and residues will make significant contributions to the renewable fuels stream. Bioenergy and Feedstock Supply Chains, Donna LaCourt, MEDC Woody Biomass Inventory, Karen Potter-Witter, MSU Woody Biomass Energy Plantation, Robert Froese, MTU 3:30-5:30 p.m. - Reception Trade Show/Poster Session Dinner and continued networking on your own with area restaurants listed in flyer March 31, 2009 8:30-9:45 a.m. Farm Bill - Energy Title Andy Olsen, Environmental Law and Policy Center USDA Representative 10:00-noon - Breakout Sessions Policy and Programs (Facilitator: Lynn Hamilton) Would you like to begin producing energy crops on your farm? Find out what grants and cost share programs are in place to help you get started. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Dennis Pennington, MSU Extension Grants, Traci Smith, USDA Rural Development Current and Pending Legislation, Ryan Findlay, Michigan Farm Bureau Cutting Edge Technology (Facilitator: Mark Seamon) This session will cover emerging technologies for renewable energy. Learn how algae cultivation, on-farm ethanol production and cellulosic ethanol will contribute to the renewable fuels stream. Algae Biofuel Production, Wei Liao, MSU On Farm Ethanol Production, Jim Zook, Innovative Concepts of Ethanol Cellulosic Ethanol - Breeding for Biomass and Biofuels, Miriam Sticklen, MSU Energy Conservation (Facilitator: Terri Novak) Do you need to upgrade your grain dryer or put in a new milking system? During this session the presenter will identify programs that can help you conserve energy and provide financial incentives. Energy Conservation for the Homeowner, Roger Doherty Energy Audit Programs for Michigan Agriculture, Truman Surbrook & Aluel Go, MSU On Farm Fuel Saving Tips, Mike Staton, MSU Extension Land Use (Facilitator: Blake Johnson) How we use our land for food and energy production is very important. Discover sustainable practices that fit with local land use plans in this session. Land Use and Sustainability, Rick Tolman, National Corn Growers Association Wind Resource Zones, MPSC Staff Net Metering, MPSC Staff 12:00-1:00 pm - Lunch and Closing Presentation Crystal Ball Gazing - What is the Future of Bioenergy? With the prospect of lower energy prices and higher production costs, how will renewable energy contribute to energy independence and security? This speaker will explore the past, present and a glimpse into the future of renewable energy production in America. March 31 1:00-4:00 pm - Offsite Tours Energy Conservation (Facilitator: Terri Novak and Traci Smith) Come and see how two greenhouses are reducing their energy costs by using an energy curtain and an outdoor biomass boiler system. The owners will share how they have put these technologies to work in their businesses. Electric and Heat solutions through Agri-Energy (Facilitator: Steve Harsh) Explore the potential for small-scale wind at Western Michigan University and the role wind energy can play in job creation. Then, travel to a commercial organic greenhouse that uses a combination of wind power, solar and geothermal to meet its energy needs. Renewable Fuels/Feedstocks (Facilitators: Pat Poli and Bob Craig) Explore current research on biodiesel production from soybeans and green algae feedstock being conducted at Western Michigan University. Visit a commercial biodiesel biorefinery that makes fuel and a variety of green chemicals. Anaerobic Digesters in Action (Facilitator: Charles Gould) See a working dairy farm that uses anaerobic digesters to generate electricity and produce pipeline quality gas. Get a firsthand look at the facility and learn about the challenges and successes in producing biogas.