GAPRI Biodiesel Processor - Up and Running!
After several months of searching for local sources of waste vegetable oil, upgrading wiring at the FeralTech shop and lot's of help from Steve Fugate at Greenworld Biofuels, the processor is up and running!
photo by Lee Honeycut
Do you live or work in the Grinnell Area and want to take part in the GAPRI Project? Contact Rich Dana at rich@gotoplanb.net
Local Food/Local Energy
In a time of ever-increasing globalization, the variety of food available in American grocery stores is staggering. Despite the reputation of the American farmer for "feeding the world", consumers in the American Midwest often consume fresh produce from Guatemala, Honduras, Chile and even Israel. With the boom in "organic" food sales, many large chains carry a variety of certified organic produce, much of which is grown in California or Mexico.
A new "Locavore" movement puts the emphasis on buying as much locally produced food as possible. This helps assure that your food dollar stays in the local economy and allows you to establish a relationship of trust with producers who grow in a responsible fashion, while supplying you with fresh, healthy seasonal food.
Although local small farmers often practice more environmentally friendly growing methods, local food systems do not always assure lower energy input. The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has done several reports on the energy balance of our food supply. In their recent report entitled "Assessing fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions of two local food distribution options in Iowa" the authors state:
"Recent studies have questioned whether local food systems indeed have lower carbon dioxide equivalents (emissions) than conventional systems. Research on local, regional, and national distribution systems for fresh produce in Iowa showed that regional distribution was more fuel efficient than local. Greater efficiency in distribution systems may be one area where local food enterprises can increase profitability and reduce both fuel use and CO2 emissions."
One of the goals of GAPRI Phase 2 is to look at ways that small farmers can reduce petroleum usage by integrating small-scale energy production into their operation. More...
Fall Biodiesel Class at Iowa Valley Community College
Introduction to Homebrew Biodiesel
Learn the basics of how to turn vegetable oil into low-cost, environmentally friendly biodiesel in this hands-on workshop. Learn from a guy who has already run his vehicles thousands of trouble-free miles on homemade renewable fuels. During this fast-paced workshop, you will learn all aspects of Biodiesel production, from acquiring quality feedstock to assembling your own processor. Instructor, Steve Fugate is from Greenwold Biofuels.
Course #: AGR 9386 002 $20
11/22 Sat. 9 am - Noon
Grinnell, Iowa Valley Community College Grinnell Room 115
Instr: Steve Fugate
Register Here
Project History
The Grinnell Area Petroleum Replacement Initiative (GAPRI) is a project initiated by the Imagine Grinnell Energy Program in 2006 to help educate area businesses and residents about alternatives to petroleum products, promote the use of those products, and assist in expanding local business development in the field of bio-products. The strategies implemented are the result of meetings of a working group which includes representatives from a broad cross-section of the community - state and city government, educators, local businesses ag and trade associations, local media and non-profits. GAPRI Phase 1 was an 18 month project funded by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Energy and Waste Management Bureau, and coordinated by Imagine Grinnell.
Phase 2 of GAPRI was launched in 2008 with financial assistance from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. The focus of Phase 2 is to look at the petroleum consumption of small, sustainable farm operations, and to develop models for reduction of their reliance on foreign oil and utilization of locally available energy sources.
 imaginegrinnell.org
 http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/
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