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Growing energy on the farm good idea for ag industry (Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004 -- CropChoice news) -- Barry Bushue, Oregon Farm Bureau & Katy Coba, Oregon Dept of Agriculture: There should be no debate about the economic value of Oregon agriculture.
The industry in Oregon -- including input suppliers and on-farm production
and processing, transportation, and wholesale marketing -- equates to more
than $8 billion in economic activity. One in 12 jobs with a payroll
exceeding $2.8 billion is connected to this critical industry.
There are indications that Oregon agriculture is getting stronger. Net farm
income is on the way back up, exports are increasing, and many commodity
prices are better than they've been in the past five years. But global
competition, rising costs, competition over natural resource use (water and
land), and other challenges continue to face the industry.
That's why those things that can better the bottom line for agriculture are
always worth considering.
Renewable energy is a good fit for the agricultural industry -- not that the
idea is new. Renewable energy technology has been around for centuries
(windmills, water wheels, etc.). But we haven't yet matched today's
technologies with the resources in ways that fit today's economy.
As Oregonians, we generally consume "energy" through three main sources:
petroleum-based fuels for vehicles, electricity for homes and businesses,
and natural gas for heating and energy generation.
Much of this energy comes from outside the region and even outside the
country. But an opportunity has cropped up for agricultural producers in
the Pacific Northwest. Why not produce more energy here and reap the
economic benefit?
Consider that Oregon's producers own and manage more than 17 million acres
of private land -- the resource base for biomass that can potentially be
used in energy generation. These lands are also the potential sites for
wind energy generation. A recently awarded USDA grant is helping a group of
growers assess the feasibility of actually owning the wind towers and
sharing in the electricity revenue rather than merely leasing land for
tower sites.
Consider that Oregon's producers own or control -- directly or through
irrigation districts -- vast network of canals, piping, and irrigation
structures. Here are many opportunities for small-scale hydro projects that
can generate electricity and offset pumping costs without affecting fish
concerns.
Consider that Oregon's producers have the capacity to grow thousands of
acres of oilseed crops that can be converted into biodiesel and other
bio-based products.
Consider that hundreds of dairies and other livestock operations may be
able to use methane digesters to manage animal nutrient issues, reduce
odors, generate electricity, and produce compost products that can be
resold.
Solar, geothermal, and other technologies also exist with many exciting
potential applications.
None of this will happen overnight. It's no silver bullet. But the
potential is real, and worth evaluating and pursuing where it makes
economic sense.
To help growers, food processors, and other segments of the industry
evaluate some of these options, our organizations are helping to plan,
sponsor, and coordinate a two-day conference called "Harvesting Clean
Energy" on Jan. 20-21 at the Convention Center in Portland.
To see a full agenda of the conference, go to:
http://www.harvestcleanenergy.org/conference
We believe this is an excellent opportunity for producers and agricultural
businesses to hear directly from others who are involved in projects
related to renewable energy. We encourage producers in Oregon and the
region to explore these options and network with others who are also
thinking more broadly about how they can utilize their natural resource
base in a positive way that benefits them economically and Oregon as a
whole.
Katy Coba is Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Barry
Bushue is president of Oregon Farm Bureau. | |
