The AgSTAR 2014 National Workshop, held April 7 in San Diego, will feature a series of panels designed to maximize interaction and discussion around the strategies being used to successfully implement agricultural biodigesters. The group is excited to bring together four sets of speakers, each with a diversity of perspectives and great depth of knowledge.

Sandra Schubert, undersecretary for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, will act as keynote speaker, and precede a series of panel discussions that will provide ample opportunity for audience interaction.

The individual panels will focus on timely and relevant topics related to state and private sector leadership in digester installation, and the policies, incentives and programs that have advanced the use of anaerobic digestion (AD) systems by livestock producers. Featured speakers include:

  • Bob Joblin, AgPower Group and Ben Vitale, Wastewater Capital Management, on indicators for project success
  • Amanda Mott, Wisconsin State Energy Office, Joe Francis, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, and Jiqin Ni, Purdue University, on how States can collaborate to advance AD
  • Karen Lee, Progressive Dairyman, Margaret Land, Manure Manager, and Jerry Bingold,Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, on effective marketing methods to reach producers
  • Jon Van Nieuwenhuyzen, Qualco Energy, and Brian Langolf, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh farms, on successful operation of AD systems
  • David Babson, AAAS Fellow at the U.S. EPA, and Dan Weller, California Air Resources Board, on Federal and State policies and programs furthering adoption of AD

This workshop will be held in conjunction with the 14th annual BioCycle Conference on Renewable Energy From Organics Recycling (BioCycle REFOR14 West) on April 8-10. BioCycle REFOR14 West offers a unique opportunity to gain greater knowledge of rising trends across multiple biogas sectors, and new ideas and innovative tools for maximizing returns from biogas recovery projects.

The event features a full exhibit hall, optional site tours and dedicated networking time. AgSTAR is co-sponsoring this conference and strongly encourages the attendance of all workshop participants.

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To register for the workshop, which is free, or for more information, visit the BioCycle REFOR14 West website. Attendees may choose to have lunch on their own or participate in an optional luncheon for $25. PD

—From EPA AgSTAR news release