Area Site Visits

Lincoln Way Energy, LLC – A 50+ million gallon/year dry mill ethanol plant

BECON Facility – The Iowa Energy Center’s Biomass Energy CONversion facility

Plenary: Regional Round-Up: Energy Challenges and Opportunities for Agriculture

Perspectives from around the U.S. on the intersection of energy and agriculture will illuminate the work being done on a regional level to meet the challenges posed by increased demand for energy. Presenters will share their on-the-ground experiences with integrating the sometimes conflicting needs of the agricultural and energy communities.

Moderator: Glee Murray, ACEEE

John Bonitz, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Tom Potter, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
Dave Sjoding, Washington State University Energy Program

Introductions by Steve Nadel, ACEEE
Welcome by Iowa Governor Chet Culver

Introductions by conference co-chairs Rich Hackner, GDS Associates and Wisconsin Focus on Energy, and Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology

Energy Efficiency through Rural Development
Mark Reisinger, State Director for Iowa, USDA, RD

The Footprint of Our Food: A Lifecycle Approach
Sarah Murray, author of Moveable Feasts

Sustainable Agriculture: What’s Energy Got to Do with It?
Dennis Olson, National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture

Peak oil is just around the corner and America needs to find an energy source that is efficiently produced and viable to meet its agricultural needs. Current state and federal policies have started a veritable bonanza in ethanol production.  However, the rush to ethanol has largely ignored questions such as whether biofuels can be produced efficiently, or is the net energy balance of biofuels at or near zero?  This panel will explore whether biofuels can produce an efficient alternative.
Moderator: Jack Sautter, Institute for Energy and the Environment, Vermont Law School

How to Increase the Efficiency of Ethanol Production
Dick Munson, Recycled Energy Development

The Energy Bill of 2007: Effects and Consequences on Ethanol Policy
Dulce Fernandes, Network for New Energy Choices

The 2002 Farm Bill created the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program, also known as "Section 9006." This successful program provides grants and loan guarantees and has spurred hundreds of new clean energy projects in nearly every state. Expanded funding for 2008 provides new opportunities to directly implement clean energy technologies. Our panelists will provide an introduction and tips for successful applications.

Organizers: Tony Harvey and Mark Kingland, Alliant Energy

Overview and Introduction to Section 9006
Andy Olsen (moderator), Environmental Law and Policy Center

Proven Approaches for Successful 9006 Grant Writing
Brad Oeltjenbruns, Ebenezer Management LLC

Implementing Ag Energy Efficiency with Section 9006
Mark Kingland, Alliant Energy

How well does the concept of food miles capture the energy and carbon implications of U.S. food systems?  This session will explore the conceptual and methodological development of the concept of food miles and discuss what we've learned about the energy implications of local, organic, and conventional food systems.                                           
Organizer: Therese Langer, ACEEE
Moderator: Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez, ACEEE

The Evolution of Food Miles and its Limitations as an Indicator of Energy Use and Climate Impact
Rich Pirog, Leopold Center, Iowa State University

Measuring Energy Intensity and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Food System Using a Life Cycle Assessment Approach
Sonja Brodt, University of California, Davis

Global Oil Depletion, Food Miles and Life Cycle Assessment for Several New York Grown and Imported Crops
William Reinhardt, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Luncheon Plenary {Salon D}

Role of Agriculture in Achieving Energy Independence
Several states have recognized the increasing importance of energy use and supply to their economy. In particular, Iowa and Wisconsin, two states with few conventional energy sources, recently established Offices of Energy Independence that report to their respective governor's office. Representatives from these offices will outline key strategies to achieving greater energy independence.

Moderator: Rich Hackner, GDS Associates

Roya Stanley, Iowa Office of Energy Independence
David Jenkins, Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence

Moderator: R. Neal Elliott, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

A Trans-Continental View of Ag Energy Efficiency Program Strategies
Craig Metz, EnSave

Ag Energy Efficiency Partnerships: A Utility Perspective
Patsy Dugger, Pacific Gas & Electric

Effective State Ag Efficiency Programs
Jessica Zweig, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Modern agriculture is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. This panel will explore innovative ways to manage energy on farms, including both energy efficiency measures and ways to incorporate renewable energy into farming operations.
Moderator: Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology

New Analysis of Data from the Sunshine Farm
Aaron Wolf Baum, consultant with the Land Institute

Does Organic Farming Use Less Energy?
David Granatstein, Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University

Energy Efficiency in Small Scale Market Crop Production Systems
Steve Moore, Center for Environmental Farming Systems

A brief overview of animal waste-based biogas production using anaerobic digestion technologies will be followed by an open discussion with the moderator. Audience questions will be encouraged.  Topics of discussion will include technology, economics, environmental benefits, technical potential and policy support for converting agricultural waste products into various forms of useful energy while reducing odors and greenhouse gas emissions.
Moderator: Ricardo Amon, California Energy Commission

Jim Bodensteiner, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
John Cuttica, Midwest CHP Application Center, University of Illinois, Chicago
Mark Hall, Environmental Power

How do energy and the economy relate to one another? This session will explore the link between energy and the economy, the economics of new energy production, and a hopeful long-term path for energy and economic development.

Economic Development and Energy: What Role to Energy, Energy Efficiency, and New Energy Sources Play in the Economy?
William D. Walker (moderator), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Sorting the Wheat from the Chaff: Identifying the Economic Gains and Offsets of Emerging Energy Developments
David Swenson, Iowa State University

Ammonia: Providing the Best Path to a Hydrogen Economy
Norman K. Olson, Iowa Energy Center     

This session will provide an overview of potential revenue streams from agricultural carbon offsets including minimum till farming, managed rangeland, and methane trapping.  In addition, the session will provide details for trading credits today on the Chicago Climate Exchange and future tools being developed to support farmers with this emerging market opportunity.   
Moderator: Tony Frank, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union

Greenhouse Gases and Agriculture: an Introduction to the Processes and Tools to Quantify Them
Rich Conant, Colorado State Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory

Carbon Credits - Selling a New Crop from Your Farm or Ranch
Dale Enerson, National Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program

Moderator: Stan Hitt, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Energy Implications of Advanced Nutrient Management Tools in Small Grain Cropping Systems
Chad Kruger, Climate Friendly Farming Project

A Comprehensive Approach to Improving Agriculture Programs
Dorothy Landt, Alliant Energy

Low Tech Winter Greenhouse Food Production without Direct Fossil Fuel
Steve Moore, Center for Environmental Farming Systems

Dinner {Salons E-H}

Recognition of ACEEE 2007 Exemplary Agricultural Program Award Winners

Public policy both at the state and federal levels is critically important to the level of energy efficiency investments made in the agricultural sector.  This session will explore current as well as potentially new state and federal energy efficiency policies affecting American agriculture.
Moderator: Lloyd Ritter, Green Capitol

Reaping the Benefits of A New Energy Economy – Why Capitalizing On Key Policy Drivers at both the State and National Level Is Critical To Continued Momentum for Agriculture in the New Energy Economy
Roya Stanley, Iowa Office of Energy Independence

Overview of Chairman Harkin’s Work Building upon the Successes of the 2002 Farm Bill within the Framework of Today’s New Energy Challenges and Opportunities
Ellen Huntoon, Senior Agriculture Aide, Senator Harkin

Discussion of Major Federal Policy Initiatives for Ag-Based Energy Efficiency, Including the Farm Bill, Energy Bill, And Other Recent or Pending Legislation
John Moore, Environmental Law and Policy Center

A Look Ahead at Possible New Federal Ag-Sector Energy Efficiency Policy Initiatives, and the Prospects for Future Legislation to Affect the Ag Sector
R. Neal Elliott, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Organizers: Laura Furrey (moderator) and Sara Kelly, Institute for Energy and the Environment, Vermont Law School

The On-Farm Process of Producing Biodiesel from Oil Seeds Trials to Retrofitting Tractors
John Williamson, State Line Farm

Current Feedstock Economics and Producing Usable Co-Products from Oilseeds
Jamie Derr, Great Lakes Biofuels

Comments on the Small Scale Biodiesel Industry in General and Techniques for Saving Energy in the Production Processes
John Bonitz, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

This session will explain what farm energy audits are, define some challenges to implementing energy audits, and discuss some tools and funding opportunities to help more farmers benefit from energy efficiency audits.

Organizers: Amelia Gulkis and Craig Metz (moderator), EnSave

Farm Energy Audits: Challenges and Opportunities
Amelia Gulkis, EnSave

On-Line Farm Energy Assessment
Jennifer Brinker, GDS Associates
*additional handout

Section 9006 Energy Program
Teresa Bomhoff, Iowa Rural Development

When we speak of local ownership or buying local, what do we really mean and in what ways does localness matter—and not matter—to the public and to policy makers? This session will address concerns about the implications of the local food movement, where we are lacking in infrastructure and how we can grow this movement sustainably.

Moderator: Tara Rainstrom, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

What is Local?
Neil Hamilton, Drake Law School

Local Food Systems - The Production Side of Local
Patrick Garrity, Floyd Boulevard Local Foods Market

The Economics of Localness - The Consumption Side of Local
Mallory Smith, Buy Fresh Buy Local

Rural Electric Cooperatives (RECs) provide power to agricultural members across America, serving 75% of the land mass. As not-for-profit, member-owned organizations, RECs are guided by core values that include a commitment to service, and have a long history of assisting their members in electrical energy efficiency. This session will features tools and programs being used by RECs at the national, regional and local level.

Moderator: Claudia Smith, Central Iowa Power Cooperative

Touchstone Energy Cooperative's Energy Efficiency Edge
Tim Sullivan, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Rural Cooperatives and Agricultural Energy Efficiency
Paul Gillis, GEN~SYS Energy

Efficiency Investment and Opportunities for Iowa's Electric Cooperatives
Regi Goodale, Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives

To what extent can new forms of bioenergy meet US and world energy needs?  This session will explore the possible environmental and social limits we will encounter as we begin exploiting the full bioenergy potential of our agricultural lands.

Fueling the Future through Energy Crops: What are the costs?  Who pays?  Do we care?
Tim Kautza, National Catholic Rural Life Conference

Balancing Bioenergy Opportunities on our Natural Resource Base
Doug Karlen, USDA-ARS, National Soil Tilth Laboratory and Iowa State University

Building a Sustainable Bioeconomy - A Path Forward for our Existing Industries, and for Emerging Approaches
Brendan Jordan, Great Plains Institute

The closing session will feature feedback and discussion by conference participants regarding what they have learned during the conference and ideas for future action in the following six areas: farming, on-farm energy production, carbon sequestration, food processing, food transportation, and consumer behavior.

Moderators: Rich Hackner, GDS Associates and Wisconsin Focus on Energy, and Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology

Panel Participants: Tony Frank, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Glee Murray, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, and Andy Olsen, Environmental Law and Policy Center. Additional panelists TBD.