Sorghum industry contributing to USDA renewable infrastructure program
September 14, 2015 |07:49 PM
The U.S. sorghum industry will contribute $250,000 towards the partnership that USDA announced last week to make grants to states to build pumps and other infrastructure to deliver higher blends of renewable fuels, the United Sorghum Checkoff Program announced today.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week that USDA will make $100 million in grants to the states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership program to help deliver higher blends of renewable fuel by constructing pumps and other infrastructure.
Tim Lust
“This is monumental news for the renewable fuels industry and the thousands of sorghum farmers that rely on the markets it provides,” said Sorghum Checkoff CEO Tim Lust. “The sorghum industry has pulled together in a way that will benefit both local and national interests, and we look forward to helping fill the demand that will result from this investment.”
With a combined contribution of $250,000, the Sorghum Checkoff along with the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and the Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board affirmed the sorghum industry’s alliance with renewable fuels and belief in the industry’s future, a news release said.
“Sorghum farmers sent a strong signal in support of renewable fuels,” said Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman Stephen Bigge. “Market access for renewable fuels is critical to the future of American agriculture.”
Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board Chairman Chuck McDonald also emphasized the significance of this large investment.
“For far too long renewable fuels have faced seemingly insurmountable infrastructure challenges,” said McDonald. “BIP will help us end that.”
Though individual award amounts were not made available, Vilsack estimated the number of pumps that will be installed in Kansas and Texas are 174 and 763, respectively.
Other Sorghum Belt states to be awarded funds through BIP are Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota. The effort is expected to result in the installation of 1,400 new pumps.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week that USDA will make $100 million in grants to the states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership program to help deliver higher blends of renewable fuel by constructing pumps and other infrastructure.
“This is monumental news for the renewable fuels industry and the thousands of sorghum farmers that rely on the markets it provides,” said Sorghum Checkoff CEO Tim Lust. “The sorghum industry has pulled together in a way that will benefit both local and national interests, and we look forward to helping fill the demand that will result from this investment.”
With a combined contribution of $250,000, the Sorghum Checkoff along with the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and the Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board affirmed the sorghum industry’s alliance with renewable fuels and belief in the industry’s future, a news release said.
“Sorghum farmers sent a strong signal in support of renewable fuels,” said Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman Stephen Bigge. “Market access for renewable fuels is critical to the future of American agriculture.”
Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board Chairman Chuck McDonald also emphasized the significance of this large investment.
“For far too long renewable fuels have faced seemingly insurmountable infrastructure challenges,” said McDonald. “BIP will help us end that.”
Though individual award amounts were not made available, Vilsack estimated the number of pumps that will be installed in Kansas and Texas are 174 and 763, respectively.
Other Sorghum Belt states to be awarded funds through BIP are Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota. The effort is expected to result in the installation of 1,400 new pumps.
