Producers learn bioenergy possibilities in Danville

Intern McGregor Hayslip collects canola seed oil in a small jar on the Pittsboro, N.C.,-based Piedmont Biofuels demonstration trailer in front of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research on Friday. He also collects the leftover seed material in a bucket that can be used in animal feed. The canola seed oil becomes biodiesel.

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Published: March 27, 2010

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Local farmers and conference attendees saw how bioenergy could be part of Southern Virginia’s agricultural future Friday.

More than 180 people participated in the Southern Virginia Bioenergy Conference at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, said Martha Walker, community viability specialist in the Danville office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Walker hopes all participants walked away with one idea on how to enhance their industry, farm or community.

“All the possibilities are out there and you have to take the information and put it in your own business plan and determine what will work,” she said.

The Pittsboro, N.C.,-based Piedmont Biofuels demonstration trailer showed farmers and community leaders how local producers could make biodiesel from canola seed oil. The biodiesel from the seed oil powered a generator that provided power to the trailer.

The trailer is part of Piedmont Biofuels’ education and outreach program funded by the U.S. De-partment of Agriculture.

For more information on Piedmont Biofuels, visit www.biofuels.coop.