Conference Proceedings
Powering Michigan Agriculture with Renewable Energy
Conference Proceedings
8:30 a.m. Welcome
8:45-9:15 a.m. Energy in Rural Michigan: Lay of the Land – Jim Byrum, Michigan Agri-Business Association
9:15-10:45 a.m. Existing Renewable Opportunities – Implementation
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- Why solar energy? – Ken Zebarah, Harvest Energy Solutions
- Exploiting the free, renewable energy, above and below your farm – Timothy Schultz, Terra Caloric, LLC
- Small wind energy systems – Steve Harsh, Michigan State University Extension
- Anaerobic digestion in Michigan: A review of where we are and a look at opportunities for the future – Dana Kirk, Michigan State University
- Growing fuels: Biomass opportunities for farmers – Charles Gould, Michigan State University Extension
- The role of an energy audit in renewable energy project – Dan Schrauben, Schrauben Associates, LLC
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10:45-11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Getting It Built: Funding Pathways Available to Farmers
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- Consumers Energy – Duane Watson
- DTE – Sean McCoy
- WECC – Kevin Phillips
- USDA Rural Development – Rick Vanderbeek
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services – Becky Otto
- MI SAVES – Todd O'Grady
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12:15-2 p.m. Lunch, Keynote Presentation, Awards Presentation, Vendor Visits
- Sean Babington, Senator Debbie Stabenow's office
- Al Go, Michigan State University
2-3:30 p.m. Energy Innovation: Michigan Examples
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- Joanmarie and Roger Weiss, Weiss Centennial Farm (dairy farm with a gasifier that uses biomass to produce heat and hot water)
- Jon VanderKolk, GDW Turkey Farm (turkey farm that implemented heater efficiency, insulation and facility weatherization energy efficiency practices)
- Judy Marteniuk, Refsal/Marteniuk Farm (goat farm with geothermal and solar photovoltaic systems)
- Andy Austin, Scenic View Dairy (dairy farm with an anaerobic digester)
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3:30-3:45 p.m. Michigan's Energy Policy and Programs Affecting Agriculture – Paul Proudfoot, Michigan Agency for Energy
3:45-4 p.m. Closing Comments – Laura Campbell, Michigan Farm Bureau