Workshop examines woody biomass

Talk about it

A biomass field day/workshop will be offered in Alexandria.

“Woody Biomass for Energy: Where Are We Now?” will be presented on Thursday, June 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Public Works Department (park in the northeast lot).

The workshop is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, WesMin Resource Conservation and Development Council, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Participants will learn about a local, renewable and clean alternative energy source – woody biomass, which has the potential to become a very viable energy source for the future, according to conservation leaders.

Overall, this workshop will provide participants the avenues to understand recent developments of bioenergy from production, utilization, marketing and conversion technologies.

Participants will also have the opportunity to visit a hybrid poplar plantation in Alexandria to discuss management, to achieve greater productivity for energy.

The target audience for the workshop includes woodland landowners, agricultural producers, natural resource professionals, energy intensive businesses and the general public.

This is a woodland advisor program class that offers two elective credits. Continuing education credits will also be available for certified foresters and forest stewardship plan preparers.

Registration is $25, including lunch, if made before May 27.

For more information about the workshop, contact Dean Schmidt or Chuck Rose at (320) 763-3191, extension 5; e-mail Dean.Schmidt@mn.usda.gov; or go to the website wesminrcd.org.

Tags: woody biomass, farm, agriculture, agribusiness