Eighty-five farmers in and around Emmetsburg, Iowa have become early adopters by participating in the world’s largest biomass harvest for cellulosic ethanol ever. Over the next year, nearly 60,000 tons of bone-dry light corn stover and corn cobs will be delivered to Project Liberty in an effort to refine biomass harvesting, storage and transportation techniques in time for the production debut in early 2012.

I spoke with Scott Weishaar to learn more about the role these pioneering farmers will play and also what concerns have been raised and how POET is addressing them. Farmers have been concerned about the effect of removing the cobs and stover on soil health and yield. Early tests by Iowa State University show that these will be minimal as long as no more than approximately 25 percent of the biomass is removed. In fact, Iowa State is working on creating variable rate removal technology that will ensure that only the appropriate amount of biomass is removed from each field.

Over the next 12 months, the farmers who are participating in the program will harvest their biomass into either round or square bales and then store the at either the edge of their field or at their actual homestead. Eventually, the biomass will be delivered to Project Liberty and the research team will conduct tests to determine the best ways to store the biomass and how long it can be stored before the biomass is compromised to an extent it can’t be converted to ethanol.

Once the date is compiled, POET will publish a white paper that will help guide farmers who plan on harvesting biomass for ethanol in the future. Weishaar stressed that POET’s goal is to arm farmers the tools to become successful.

“Because if they’re not successful, we’re not successful,” said Weishaar. “So we want to make sure we address all their questions and concerns so they not only have a positive experience, but profitable one that moves us towards sustainability.”

You can see photos from the Biomass Harvest Kickoff here.

Listen to the interview with Scott Weishaar here: Scott Weishaar Talks Biomass