FEBRUARY 2022 | A NOTE FROM DAVID NEUMANN
New 'Climate Smart Commodities' Program
Farmers, ranchers and forest landowners may soon have an opportunity to receive incentive payments for producing ag- and forest- products under a new $1 billion USDA commodities program.
Announced in mid-February, the program will accept grant proposals for funds that can be used to encourage production of on-farm and in-forest ‘climate smart commodities,’ and track the resulting carbon and greenhouse gas benefits through the supply chain.
If that jargon sounds confusing – you’re not entirely alone! The program seems designed to encourage production of crops, forest products like logs and pulpwood, and also potentially crop or timber harvest residues using practices that sequester carbon, reduce carbon emissions, or mitigate climate change impacts.
Many of the forest practices are likely to be similar to practices already offered under other USDA programs – like tree planting, forest stand improvement thinning, and water quality best management practices. Many of the ag practices are likely similar as well – the funding announcement mentions as examples cover crops, low- or no-till practices, nutrient management, manure management, riparian buffer strips, prescribed grazing, and use of biochar as a soil amendment.
The USDA is seeking applications on the order of $5 million to $100 million by April 8th; and smaller project proposals (under $5 million) by May 27. A recording of the webinar introducing the program and more information on how to apply are available at: https://www.usda.gov/climate-solutions/climate-smart-commodities.
Sincerely,
David Neumann
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AUTHOR:
David Neumann
Forest Products Utilization & Marketing Specialist
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Forest Resources Division
HTM Steering Committee
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UPCOMING EVENTS
- March 2-3, 2022 - Ohio Forestry Association Annual Meeting
- March 14-16, 2022 - International Biomass Conference & Expo
- March 29-30, 2022 - Wood Bioenergy Conference & Expo
- June 15-16, 2022 - National Firewood Workshop
- September 21-23, 2022 - NLHA Annual Convention
CONSERVATION SPOTLIGHT
- Protecting Our Elders: Fon du Lac Band
FEBRUARY RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
- Grants Available for Value-Added Agricultural Processing
LOCAL BIOMASS
- Biomass For Sale
- Biomass Wanted
CURRENT EVENTS
- Power Alternatives and Sustainably Managed Forests
- Short Term Energy Outlooks: EIA Updates Bioenergy Forecasts
- Modern Wood Heat: Biomass Boilers and Pellet Stoves
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HTM STEERING COMMITTEE
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Jeremy Mortl* - President
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T.J. Morice* - Secretary/Treasurer
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Stacy Cook*
- John Ackerly - National Rep
- Bruno Zagar
- David Neumann
- Joseph Donnell
- Becky Philipp
- Tim Portz - National Rep
- Ben Rose
- Adam Sherman - National Rep
- Emanuel Wagner - National Rep
* Executive Members
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BROUGHT TO YOU BY HEATING THE MIDWEST
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UPCOMING EVENTS
March 2-3, 2022
- Ohio Forestry Association Annual Meeting | Worthington, Ohio
March 14-16, 2022
March 29-30, 2022
June 15-16, 2022
September 21-23, 2022
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Protecting Our Elders: Fond du Lac Band
Fond du Lac doesn't manage their forests, they're in relationship with them — a relationship that is foundational to their culture and ways of life.
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa have a historic relationship with the forest that has spanned many generations.
Their approach to the land is based in the concept that trees and other plants preceded humans in the order of creation. As Chairman of the Fond du Lac Band Kevin DuPuis puts it, “We can’t assume that we manage the forest and trees. We’re in relationship with them.”
It’s personal for DuPuis and for other members of the Fond du Lac Band. “This land is part of my being,” he says, “every part of my being. It’s a birthright, and it’s part of the natural world. If we don’t have woods, fish, wildlife and rice, we cease to exist as a people. It’s about our culture and identity. It’s hard for people to understand that, but where our rice beds are—the plants, the animals, the medicines, the trees themselves—that’s us as a people.”
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In 2018, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa commissioned a Sawyer Community Center District Heating project. View details of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Band)’s Energy Vision & Profile at FDL-Energy-Profile-Brochure_4-15-21.pdf (fdlrez.com)
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FEBRUARY RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT |
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Grants Available for Value-Added Agricultural Processing
Minnesota processors encouraged to apply by March 24, 2022
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for its Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant program.
The program offers designated grants to help Minnesota processors add value to Minnesota agricultural products by investing in the purchase of equipment, production capacity, market diversification, and market access for value-added products.
Applicants must:
- Be an individual (including farmers), business, agricultural cooperative, or a local unit of government (including Tribal governments) engaged in value-added processing
- Currently reside in Minnesota or be authorized to conduct business in Minnesota
The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $1,000,000 using a competitive review process. The maximum equipment award is $150,000, and the minimum award is $1,000.
For more information, visit the AGRI Value-Added Grant Program website. Funding for the grants was established through the AGRI Program to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries.
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Power Alternatives And Sustainably Managed Forests
Around the world, demand for coal is soaring as the economy adjusts to the challenges of the pandemic. Coal usage in Europe jumped from 10% to 15% in 2021. Simply put, we’re moving in the wrong direction and are not currently on a trajectory consistent with the Paris Agreement to phase out fossil fuels. Instead, we’re now at the point where, according to experts, even if the world follows the most stringent emission reduction pathways, it will exceed the global carbon budget by 2040.
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Short Term Energy Outlooks – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
EIA updates bioenergy forecasts
Renewable electricity is expected is expected to account for 22 percent of U.S. electricity generation this year, expanding to 24 percent in 2023, according to the February edition of the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Short-Term Energy Outlook, released Feb. 8 (Full forecast here). Renewable electricity generation accounted for 20 percent in 2021.
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Modern Wood Heat: Biomass Boilers and Pellet Stoves
Biomass boilers (wood gasification and bulk pellet systems) and EPA-certified Pellet Stoves are an economic way to heat your home using a renewable, local resource. Learn more here about how they work and get your questions answered.
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MORE WAYS TO GET BIOMASS NEWS |
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BiomassMagazine.com
- Printed Magazine
- Free digital Magazine
- Free e-Newsletters
- Free Webinars
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Pellet Mill Magazine Free to U.S. Subscribers.
- Printed Magazine
- Free digital Magazine
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