Nov. 30, 2006
Contact: Rita Mitchell, University Relations
UT Martin draws biofuels experts to conference
MARTIN, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Martin will host a conference, “Biofuels: Opportunities for Tennessee Agriculture,” Jan. 30, in the Boling University Center on the UT Martin campus. The conference is expected to draw an audience of farmers, economic development directors and other business representatives. Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the Watkins Auditorium lobby, and the conference will begin with a welcome by Dr. Jim Byford, dean of the UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.
“Mid-South agriculture will play a vital role in meeting our future national energy needs,” said Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, UT Martin associate professor of agricultural economics. “The ‘Biofuels: Opportunities for Tennessee Agriculture’ conference will be an excellent venue to focus on how agricultural producers, businesses and communities will be impacted by the emerging alternative fuels market.”
Several speakers will discuss a variety of topics including “The U.S. Corn Industry Outlook,” “Renewable Fuels and their Impacts on the Agriculture Sector and the Nation’s Economy,” “Distillers Grains and Animal Agriculture,” “Quality Issues Related to Biofuels,” and “Agriculture’s Role in Meeting Our Energy Needs.” Other topics will pertain to the economics of biofuels, alternative fuels and livestock, commercial biofuels and agronomic aspects of biofuels crops.
Speakers include Geoff Cooper from the National Corn Growers Association; Drs. Burt English and Daniel Ugarte from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville; Drs. Gary Bates, Don Tyler and Larry Steckel from the UT Extension; Diane Mulloy, president of Milagro Biofuels; and Mick Henderson from Commonwealth Agri-Energy.
The registration fee is $20 and includes conference materials and lunch. A online registration form for the conference is available at http://www.utm.edu/departments/caas/anr/. For more information, contact Mehlhorn at 731-881-7257.
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