The Future of America: Energy From Our Farm

GREAT FALLS, MT (June 7, 2006) – The Montana Farmers Union (MFU) in conjunction with the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) and Farm Aid are pleased to welcome Larry Mitchell, national spokesperson for the ACGA and the Alliance for Rural American (ARA), to Montana on Monday, June 19, 2006. Mitchell is the featured speaker at a public workshop sponsored by the three organizations on Agriculture and Energy at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls, MT, which begins at 9:00 a.m.

“The workshop will feature renewable growing opportunities and continues the ongoing educational efforts MFU provides its Board of Directors and President’s Committee members,” said MFU President Brooks Dailey. “But because of the heightened interest in agriculture and renewable energy issues, we decided to open the workshop to the public.”

Topics that will be discussed during the all-day event include fuel diversity, expanding and updating the grid, climate change legislation, biodiesel production, an ethanol update, and how farm based energy production can be an essential component to better farm policy.

Montana-specific information will include updates on the 25x25 Initiative and co-op development opportunities in the state. Howard Haines, Department of Environmental Quality, Tony Kavanaugh, Peaks and Prairies, and Cheryl MacArthur, Montana Co-op Development Center, are featured Montana-based speakers.

The workshop is open to farmers, rural businesses and residents, the press and electronic news media and others interested in energy and agriculture policy. The workshop, which includes lunch, is free to MFU members and $10 to non-members. Please RSVP to the MFU office at 406-452-6406.

Support for this effort is also provided by South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, National Biodiesel Board, American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Agricultural Policy Analysis Center (APAC), and Alliance for Rural America (ARA).

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