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Cities Developing Urban Agriculture Codes

Urban agriculture has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to deal with vacant properties, revitalize neighborhoods, and provide job skills and nutrition to local residents struggling with poverty and a lack of access to fresh produce.

In Austin, Texas, a working group of the Sustainable Food Policy Board is meeting to clarify and update city code related to urban farms, livestock, size of farm, employees and dwellings, according to the Austin Chronicle.

The working group has been holding public sessions to gather input from urban farmers and community members about pending updates to the urban farm ordinance.

In April 2013, the Flint Farmers' Market reported that the Detroit City Council adopted the city's first urban agriculture zoning ordinance recognizing agriculture as a legitimate land use and setting standards for it.

Other cities working to update or create urban agriculture codes include Boston, Massachusetts;
Fort Collins, Colorado; and Portland, Oregon.

For more information, see USDA's National Ag Library webpage on Urban Agriculture.

Home » Commodities & Products » Energy » Biodiesel

Overview

Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel made from renewable resources. The most common process employs transesterification whereby methyl esters are produced from fats and oils, yielding a non-toxic, biodegradable fuel that can be burned in diesel engines, and glycerin, which can be used in industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it is usually mixed with petroleum diesel fuel and sold as, for example, 'B2', 'B5', 'B10' to reflect the percentage of biodiesel (2%, 5%, 10%) included in the mix. It is also used alone as a diesel fuel, called B100. In the United States, biodiesel is produced from plant oils, animal fats, recycled restaurant grease and waste grease. Research continues to develop other feedstock sources for biodiesel, including algae, to make biodiesel production affordable in many different locations. OIls from non-food plants, such as camelina, jatropha and pennycress are potential feedstocks for biodiesel. June 2012 ... Biodiesel

Marketing

Alternative Fuels Data Center.
Biodiesel, Market to Market, Iowa Public Television, 2002 - Explore biodiesel's future and West Central Cooperative in Iowa and their biodiesel efforts.
Biodiesel at the Intersection, Rural Cooperatives magazine, USDA, 2008 - Increased corn demand, fewer soybean acres in production and a growing demand for biodiesel feedstock has pushed soy oil prices to new heights.
Biodiesel - Distillate Usage Patterns in Minnesota, Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, 2005.
Biodiesel Marine Biodiesel In Recreational Boats - Technical Handbook, CytoCulture International, Inc., 1999.
Biodiesel Marine Marketing Opportunities: Successes and Challenges in the Chesapeake Bay, MARC IV Consulting.
Biodiesel: The Sustainability Dimensions, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), 2006.
Bioenergy Outlook, Economic Research Service, USDA - Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for biofuels and biofuel feedstocks, including supply and demand prospects in major producing, importing and exporting countries. Focuses on ethanol and corn, biodiesel and soybeans.
Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.
End-User Survey: Implications for Industry Growth, Prepared by ASG Renaissance, Dearborn, Michigan, 2004.
Evaluating Biodiesel as a Value-added Opportunity, Department of Economics, Iowa State University, 2004 - This paper looks at the current interest and growth in the industry and examines considerations for investing.
The Growth and Direction of the Biodiesel Industry in the United States, Nick D. Paulson and Roger G. Ginder, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Iowa State University, 2007.
How Biodiesel Works, HowStuffWorks, Discovery Channel.
The National Biodiesel Board - National trade association representing the biodiesel industry.
Renewable Fuels Association.
Soybeans, Economic Research Service, USDA.

Processing/Manufacturing

National Ag-Based Lubricants Center, University of Northern Iowa - Research program dedicated to industrial lubricants made from oil.
Biodiesel Attributes and Consideration for Use, Ag Environmental Products, L.L.C.
Co-generation Using Wind and Biodiesel-Powered Generators, Department of Applied Economics, College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota, 2005.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory - An overview of biodiesel and petroleum diesel lifecycles.
SOYA and Oilseed Bluebook - World-wide soy industry directory.
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Biomass Programs - Numerous research reports on alternative fuels and new technologies.

Production

A Slicker Soybean, Farm Journal, 2006 - Researchers are attempting to increase the oil content of soybeans for biodiesel production.
BERA (Biomass Energy Research Association) - Association of biofuel researchers, companies and advocates.
Biodiesel, ATTRA, NCAT.
The Economics of Oilseeds for Biodiesel in Montana ~ Overview and Case Studies, ATTRA, NCAT, 2009 - This publication contains several case studies that describe the economic factors impacting the production of oilseed crops for renewable biobased fuels.
Energy Independence: On-Farm Biodiesel Fuel Production, SARE, USDA - Roger Rainville is currently producing biodiesel on his farm near Alburgh, Vermont, for about $1.70 a gallon.

Businesses/Case Studies

Ag Environmental Products, L.L.C. - An AGP subsidiary doing research and market development of soy oil.
American Soybean Association - Membership organization promoting soybean production and consumption.
Renewable Energy Group - Turnkey biodiesel plants.
Value-Added Corner: Farmers Co-Op Elevator, Value-Added Producer Grant Success Stories, Rural Cooperatives, 2004 - Biodiesel project looks promising for Iowa co-op.
West Central Soy - A leading manufacturer of soy fuels, lubricants and cleaners.

Links checked June 2012.

U.S. Bioenergy Statistics, ERS, USDA, May 2013 - The U.S. Bioenergy Statistics are a source of
information on biofuels intended to present a picture of the renewable energy industry and its
relationship to agriculture.

Energy Industry

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