Grinnell Area Petroleum Replacement Initiative Phase 2

In 2006, the Imagine Grinnell group and the Iowa DNR partnered to establish the Grinnell Area Petroleum Replacement Initiative (GAPRI), a one-year program to promote alternatives to petroleum products, and assist in expanding opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Phase 2 of GAPRI will seek to explore farm and community-based alternatives to large-scale biofuels production, in order to reduce on-farm energy costs, and decrease emissions and dependence of fossil fuels. To make on-farm biofuel and bio-products viable for farmers, a model needs to be developed that takes into account regional resources, roadblocks and regulations. Phase 2 of GAPRI will construct such a model.

Phase 2 of GAPRI will focus on several objectives: 1) Make information available to farmers on the feasibility of on-farm bio-fuel processing and "de-mystify" production techniques. This will include holding workshops, followed by the formation of a work group and publishing literature and web-based information. 2) Provide value-added options to farmers through on-farm energy production and track the progress of energy use, product viability and marketability. 3) Encourage partnerships between farmers and local businesses to explore new opportunities and document the successes and obstacles. 4) Create four models for cost-effective and environmentally friendly farm-based production of biofuels and other bio-products.

Contact:
Rich Dana
Imagine Grinnell
833 4th Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
rich@gotoplanb.net
319-530-6051