AgWired

As delegates from over 26 countries convene in central Illinois this week for the International Farm Management Congress, they are sure to not go hungry courtesy of local organizations.

Each tour allows for a 10 minute “grab and go” break where conference attendees can snatch a quick snack and share stories with other delegates.

GROWMARK called on organizations like the Illinois State University Department of Agriculture, Ladies of St. Ann’s Rectory and various 4-H Clubs to sponsor the refreshments.

Jane Castellano of GROWMARK explained these sponsorships may appear as a simple gesture, but the organizations’ support contributes to the overall networking purpose of the Congress.

Castellano said, “It gives [delegates] the chance to interact with the local farmers hosting the tours.” Castellano added the “grab and go” is also a benefit for central Illinoisans as well to gain a global perspective from the international delegates as well.

And after a long day of touring, the refreshments also provide an opportunity to relax. Congress correspondent Erin Yancey said, “It was just nice to know people took the time to think of us. Traveling all day can be exhausting so it was nice to have a quick break.”

The efforts of these organizations are not going unnoticed. IFMA 17 is offering to reimburse organizations or to provide a donation.

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Attendees of the International Farm Management Association 17 Congress were witness to a very optimistic view of the future of renewable energy.

Dennis Magyar, a renewable energy industry leader with North American DuPont Biofuels, gave an insightful presentation on the future of bio fuels and bio fuel technologies. The presentation began discussing the desire for energy independence, establishing the importance of the future on renewable energy.

Magyar introduced DuPont’s role in the renewable energy industry along with the company’s latest goal and developments. Magyar expressed DuPont’s desire “to explore carbohydrate based businesses opportunities.”

The three main focuses included sustainable feedstock, cellulosic ethanol and advanced biofuels. DuPont is working to provide the means for a more sustainable feedstock by continuing to invest in seed and chemical development.

Their Pioneer seed corn brand has been a main focal point attempting to create hybrids that are more resilient to all adverse variables, higher yielding and higher profits for producers. Continuing to develop production of their seed corn is contributing to the goal of more bushels per acre and more ethanol per bushel.
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Wind energy is an up and coming technology in the U.S. and central Illinois. Attendees of the International Farm Management Association 17 Congress (IFMA 17) got a chance to learn more about this current, complex energy issue. Andrew Young, CDO of Horizon Wind Energy, addressed the IFMA 17 Congress today in the Brown Ballroom at Illinois State University. Young’s presentation outlined the wind energy industry, the company itself and the current policies and incentives in place to help grow the industry.

Horizon Wind Energy is the company that manages the wind farm located in McLean County. The Twin Groves Wind Farm is located five miles east of the Central Illinois Regional Airport. The wind farm produces 396 megawatts of clean energy per year enough to power around 120,000 homes in Illinois. With over 240 massive turbines the Twin Groves Wind Farm is one of the largest in the country.

One of the main factors in starting a wind project is getting land owners to sign on to the project. The ideal placement for wind farms is on open range and actively cultivated farm lands, thus relevant to many of the attendees of the IFMA 17 Congress.

Young also stressed the challenges that exist to furthering the wind energy industry in the U.S. Currently, the U.S. energy grid system is not structured to support the full potential capacity for wind farming technology. Lack of connection to the grid has tabled some wind farm projects in areas that are ideal for wind technology. Also, tax credits and incentive programs are another main factor in funding and starting a wind farm project, Also, community opposition and difficulty in obtaining permits can slow a wind project.
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Okay. Cindy has tweeted “My Twittering husband, who tweets photos of what he makes for dinner, doesn’t bother to tweet that he’s in the hospital for pneumonia.” She’s right. Maybe I should have been writing about this but I just couldn’t find the right “voice” for it and it’s been one of those things that has dragged on for a couple weeks and I keep thinking it’s about to be resolved. Well we’re finally getting there (he said confidently.)

I am still in the hospital and will be for a few more days after a procedure in the morning. Hopefully that will settle the whole problem and then I’ll have to take it easy for a while after that. This is hard to say for someone who is pretty much on the go and used to jogging or biking at every chance he can get. I figured that I owed to the AgWired community to let you know in case you didn’t already. That’s why I’ve been a little light on posting and tweeting, especially for the last couple days.

Thank goodness you can use a cell phone and computer/air card in your room! I’ll be off the grid tomorrow and hope to be back on by Friday sometime with an update.

So, let me just say a huge thank you to all our sponsors and supporters, followers and friends. Without you there would be no community. I’m looking forward to being back to 100 percent as soon as possible.

IFMA 17 was not kidding when it came up with its concept for the second Congress ever held in the U.S. Conference planners have woven the theme of “Food, Fiber and Energy” throughout the past few days of the Congress. However, it may surprise a few of the international delegates to learn their transportation is also joining the IFMA 17 Congress to implement the “energy” component of the theme.

Since Sunday, delegates have had the opportunity to ride shuttle buses to and from the Congress’ events. These Peoria Charter Coach buses are currently running on bio-fuels.

This practice is not uncommon for the company, who has been running its shuttles on bio-fuels since March 2004. And in its five year history of using bio-fuels, the company is pleased with their decision.

Bill Winkler, president of Peoria Charter Coach said,” To me, it is a three win situation…It burns cleaner. It’s cheaper, and it helps the farmers.”

As delegates look to the future of the agriculture industry, the issues of sustainability and a poor economy are sure to arise. However, Winkler was quick to mention this clean-burning fuel is mixed locally, reducing the cost. With these incentives, Winkler looks forward to continuing this practice in the future.

Peoria Charter Coach Company has served over 400,000 passengers since its start in 1941.

For a complete itinerary of IFMA17 events, visit: ifma17.org.

AgWired coverage of the IFMA 17 is made possible by