Resource list

Carbohydrate Economy Clearinghouse
Resource List
Resource list

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Agricultural Economics: AgEcon Search - Research in Agricultural and Applied Economics
This site was developed at the University of Minnesota and is designed to index and electronically distribute full text reports of scholarly research in the field of agricultural and applied economics.; American Agricultural Economics Association
The American Agricultural Economics Association is a professional society for those interested in agricultural economics. A nonprofit organization, AAEA is committed to furthering knowledge about the economics of agriculture, rural communities, and natural resources.

Biochemicals: Market Opportunity Studies – Soy Based Industrial Products
These studies, conducted by Omni Tech International in conjunction with the New Uses Committee of the United Soybean Board, analyze present and future market potential for soy-based industrial products. Market sectors include adhesives, building composites, emulsifiers, lubricants, paints and coatings, pesticide carriers and adjuvants, plastics, printing inks, and solvents.; Biobased Industrial Products: Research and Commercialization Priorities
This report predicts a reversal in the historical trend that replaced biobased products with petrobased products, envisioning a "biobased industrial future." It overviews US land resources, summarizes current plant material production, and addresses prospects for increasing yields. Citing current developments in biobased industrial technology, the report identifies areas where further research is worthwhile.; Soy Ink Life-Cycle Study
This study delves into the impact that the use of soy ink has on our environment. It quantifies the use of energy, resources and the kinds of emissions released in the production of soy ink from planting to printing.; Bioresource Technology
This journal publishes original papers, review articles and case studies related to bioresource technologies. Biochemical conversion technologies and end products (including fibers, fuels, building materials, polymers and other industrial products) are discussed.; Evergreen
The newsletter of the New Uses Council, focusing on industrial uses for agricultural materials.; Feedstocks: News About Industrial Products Made from Soy
A quarterly newsletter dedicated to reporting on the latest developments in the use of soybeans to make industrial products.

Chemurgy: Industrial ecology of bio-based products
Special issue of Journal of Industrial Ecology on bio-based products. Journal is an international peer-reviewed quarterly on industry & the environment, owned by Yale Univ. and published by MIT Press. Available on web at no cost.

Cooperatives: New Generation Cooperatives on the Northern Plains
This study examines developments in North Dakota and Minnesota regarding New Generation Cooperatives and evaluates potential for New Generation Cooperatives in Manitoba. The report provides background, history, and case studies of the New Generation Cooperative model.; MDA grants for agricultural cooperatives
Since late 1997 the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has assisted over a dozen new cooperatives (most with fewer than 50 members) in establishing cooperatives that add value to their agricultural commodity by processing and marketing activities. Grants of up to $50,000 (25% match required) per co-op are available to investigate opportunities in adding value to the commodities produced by the cooperative. Eligible activities covered by the grant moneys include: 1) Technical assistance in the formation of value-added agriculture cooperatives. 2) Market research identifying the market potential and market trends for the proposed value-added product. 3) Technical product design, development, and market testing assistance to establish the feasibility and viability of specific value-added products. 4) Assistance in the development of business plans. 5) Assistance for the pre-design of facilities.; Make No Small Plans: A Cooperative Revival For Rural America
A book about why "New Generation" farmer cooperatives can revive economically threatened rural America. Egerstrom draws upon the model successful Dutch cooperatives provide as a way out for the American farmer. Critical to the idea of New Generation co-ops is value-added processing, by which farmers increase the value of their commodity by processing it cooperatively into a product of greater value.; Cooperation Works!
This book describes a number of cooperative ventures including farmer cooperatives (such as value-added co-ops), housing co-ops and cooperatively-owned sports teams.

Fibers: Ag Fiber Technology News
Ag Fiber Technology News is an electronic newsletter covering agricultural fibers and agricultural crop residues including bast fibers, cotton, grasses and crop residues from grain production. The focus of the publication is the utilization of these fibers in biobased products including absorbency products, chemicals, composites, fuels, nonwovens plastics, pulp, textiles, and other products.; Special Crops Newsletter
The quarterly Special Crops Newsletter provides information about the issues, trends, marketing opportunities, upcoming events, programs, and services related to the special crops industry in Canada.; Towards Bast Fibre Production in Finland
This academic dissertation evaluates the bast and stem fibre productivity and quality of hemp and linseed grown in Finland between 1995 and 1997. The study examines and cultivation management practices and yields for both domestic and introduced hemp and linseed genotypes.; Kenaf Properties, Processing and Products
This collection of research papers addresses cultural and biological factors, harvesting and processing, chemical and physical properties, woven and nonwoven products, pulp and paper products, composites, and environmental applications for kenaf.; Cultivation of Hemp: Botany, Varieties, Cultivation and Harvesting, The
Dr. Iván Bócsa, a world-renowned expert on hemp breeding and cultivation, and Michael Karus, Germany’s leading hemp technologist and consultant, co-author this definitive guide to growing hemp.; Hemp Horizons: The Comeback of the World's Most Promising Plant
This book discusses the history and politics of industrial hemp cultivation. Separate sections outline the status of hemp around the world, the diverse opportunities for the plant in the marketplace, and the sustainable future of hemp. A resource section provides contact information for everything from hemp seeds to hemp end-products.; Study on Markets and Prices for Natural Fibres (Germany and EU)
This March 2000 study, from the German nova Institute for Ecology and Innovation, provides a comprehensive overview of the natural fibers market in the EU and Germany. The report analyzes current and future markets for flax and hemp fibers, characterizes the economic situation of producers, and recommends a suitable framework that will foster the development of the natural fibers market.; Rice Straw Feedstock Supply Study for Colusa County California
This report, prepared for the Western Regional Biomass Energy Program by the Rice Straw Feedstock Joint Venture, looks at rice straw supply and use options in Colusa County, California, the largest rice-producing county in the state. End uses discussed include energy generation, building materials, paper production, erosion control, animal feed, and chemical production. Updates on projects currently using rice straw are provided.; Exploring The Feasibility of Growing Industrial Low THC Hemp in Northwestern Ontario
This report explores the feasibility and potential of growing low THC industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) for fibre and seed grain in northern Ontario. The project was funded primarily from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.; SimpleLife Guide to Tree-Free, Recycled and Certified Papers
This book outlines the history of paper, the various alternative fibers available for the production of tree-free paper, and the status of the tree-free and recycled papers industry today. Swatches of the papers with company information are an added bonus. Order on the web or contact the company directly.; Industrial Hemp Fact Sheet - Canada
A Canadian government web page FAQ about hemp and hemp policy; Nova Scotia: A Maritime Industrial Hemp Product Marketing Study
This September 1998 study was aimed at identifying the potential for a Maritime-wide industry. Maritime production is small, made up of only a handful of growers. In the absence of a well-developed distribution system, there appears to exist only niche-market opportunities for a small number of growers. This report suggests that at this time substantial effort will be required to develop a Maritime industry for many of the markets claimed for hemp products such as textiles, building materials, alcoholic beverages, livestock feed, bedding and biomass fuels. The main reasons include insufficient processing and value-added infrastructure and incomplete research and development results.; State of Hawaii: Industrial Hemp-Economic Viability and Political Concern, The
This April 1996 report, prepared for the House of Representatives, was designed to provide some background information and to help generate a public discussion in Hawaii around industrial hemp.; Industrial Hemp Farming: History and Practice
A new discussion of the history of industrial hemp and practical aspects of farming the crop.; Hemp in Wisconsin
This full-text version of an article on the history of industrial hemp in Wisconsin was published in HempWorld Magazine.; Fiber Wars: The Extinction of Kentucky Hemp
This report provides an excellent historical account of the rise and fall of Kentucky hemp.; Market Analysis for Hemp Fiber as a Feed Stock for Papermaking
This analysis shows that hemp could profitably be used as a fiber source for the paper industry and that Wisconsin farmers could meet the demand for fiber by the fine paper manufacturers of Wisconsin. In contrast to the past utilization of hemp, it is essential that the whole plant be used to make paper and not just the long bast fibers.; Hempworld: The International Hemp Journal
A quarterly journal reporting on the latest developments in the industrial hemp industry.; Commercial Hemp
This quarterly trade journal for the industrial hemp industry reports on the latest hemp products, legislation and conferences.; Issues in Resource Conservation
Three issue reports are presented in this document, all relating to reducing the demand for forest resources. The topics include: agricultural residues as an alternative to virgin wood fiber, building codes and sustainable development, and industrial hemp.; Industrial Hemp as an Alternative Crop in North Dakota
This report, mandated by the North Dakota Legislature, evaluates industrial hemp as an alternative crop in that state. The report recommends that the Legislature consider legislation that would allow controlled experimental production and processing.; Economic Impact of Industrial Hemp in Kentucky
This report, commissioned by the Kentucky Hemp Museum and Library, provides a detailed analysis of the costs of growing hemp, the short term markets for hemp in a variety of product areas and the economics of hemp.

Fuels & Energy: 2002 Farm Bill Energy Title IX - Energy
This is a link to USDA's web site covering the details of Title IX of the 2002 Farm Bill signed into law in May 2002.; Greenprint on Ethanol Production in Saskatchewan
This April 2002 report is the provincial strategy to create a framework to stimulate investment in ethanol production. Further, this strategy will secure the significant environmental benefits that stem from the increased use of ethanol as an additive to conventional gasoline for Saskatchewan.; California Energy Commission's MTBE Alternatives Web Site
On March 25, 1999, Governor Gray Davis released Executive Order D-5-99 that ordered the removal of the additive MTBE (Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether) from gasoline at the earliest possible date, but not later than December 31, 2002.
The Governor also directed the California Energy Commission to evaluate and report to the Governor and the Secretary for Environmental Protection on the potential for development of a California waste-based or other biomass ethanol industry. The Commission was directed to "...evaluate what steps, if any, would be appropriate to foster waste-based or other biomass ethanol development in California should ethanol be found to be an acceptable substitute for MTBE."
California Energy Commission's MTBE Study Web Site; Biodiesel: A Policy Choice for Minnesota
This May 2001 report was prepared as a result of legislative proposals introduced in Minnesota related to biodiesel development in the state. The report discusses the proposals and the economic dimensions for Minnesota.; Iowa Value Added Resource Manual
This manual is designed to assist farmers interested in starting up an ethanol facility. Though it is geared towards farmers in Iowa, much of its content is not location-specific. It offers information on business structures, financing, policy issues and market research.; Wood-Ethanol: A British Columbia Value Added Opportunity
This report, prepared for Environment Canada and the Ministry of Environment Lands & Parks, explores the environmental benefits of using ethanol and reviews current technology and market opportunities.; Energy Independent, The
This monthly newsletter focuses on production and marketing issues for the ethanol and biomass industry. The publication tracks news and events, and profiles companies and people in the industry.; Outlook for Biomass Ethanol Production and Demand
This report examines the outlook for celluose-derived ethanol production in the U.S.; Ethanol-Its Use in Gasoline: Expected Impacts and Comments of Expert Reviewers
This report, sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association, summarizes information about ethanol's health and environmental effects when used as a fuel oxygenate.; Fuel Ethanol: Background and Public Policy Issues
A Congressional Research Service Issue Brief published by the National Council for Science and the Environment that provides background concerning various aspects of fuel ethanol, and a discussion of the current related policy issues.; Biomass Monthly
The Biomass Monthly is a review of the major environmental and electricity issues affecting biomass power. It informs policy-makers, researchers, and developers about current regulatory activity and market opportunities regarding biomass power in the U.S. and internationally.; Emissions from Nine Heavy Trucks Fueled by Diesel and Biodiesel Blend without Engine Modification
Diesel fuel made from natural renewable sources such as vegetable oils or animal fats lowered air-polluting emissions of heavy trucks in a study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Biodiesel fuel can be used in regular diesel engines without equipment modification.
The scientists studied a blend of 35 percent biodiesel fuel and 65 percent conventional diesel fuel. They found that this emitted significantly less carbon monoxide and moderately less hydrocarbons and particulate matter, compared to 100 percent petroleum diesel.; Effects of Fuel Ethanol Use on Fuel-Cycle Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This study compares the per vehicle-mile fuel-cycle petroleum use, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy use effects of using ethanol blended with gasoline to those of using gasoline only. According to the study, using 1 gallon of cellulosic ethanol would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 84%-144%, energy use by 87%-126%, and petroleum use by 86%-106%.; Canadian Regulations on Industrial Hemp
A collection of PDF-format government documents on hemp reglulations; Corn Stover Collection & Potential for Ethanol Production
This 1998 report from CEA takes a peek at an innovative corn stover collection operation centered in Harlan, Iowa. It can be viewed as a pilot for developing the infrastructure to use agricultural waste for ethanol production.; Ethanol: Biomass Waste To Ethanol Plant in Louisiana
This October 1998 report from NPR's Sounds Like Science provides an overview of the biomass-to-ethanol facility in Jennings, Louisiana. (Real Audio); Health and Environmental Assessment of MTBE
This November 1998 report to the Governor and Legislature of the State of California by UC Davis was the primary technical document in California's effort to stop the use of MTBE as an oxygenate in the state's gasoline. MTBE competes with ethanol in the oxygenated fuels market.; Ethanol Industry Outlook - 1999 and Beyond, The
The publication features current and historical data and trends concerning the domestic fuel ethanol industry as well as a look at the critical issues facing today's ethanol producers.; Use of Ethanol in California Clean Burning Gasoline - Ethanol Supply/Demand and Logistics, The
This March 1999 report from RFA presents an argument that ethanol could be used to replace MTBE as an fuel oxegenate in California.; Biodiesel Development: New Markets for Conventional and Genetically Modified Agricultural Products
Abstract
With environmental and energy source concerns on the rise, using agricultural fats and oils as fuel in diesel engines has captured increasing attention. Substituting petroleum diesel with biodiesel may reduce air emissions, increase the domestic supply of fuel, and create new markets for farmers. U.S. agricultural fats and oils could support a large amount of biodiesel, but high production costs and competing uses for biodiesel feedstocks will likely prevent mass adoption of biodiesel fuel. Higher-priced niche markets could develop for biodiesels as a result of environmental regulations. Biodiesel has many environmental advantages relative to petroleum diesel, such as lower CO, CO2, SOx, and particulate matter emissions. Enhancing fuel properties by genetically modifying oil crops could improve NOx emissions, cold flow, and oxidative stability, which have been identified as potential problems for biodiesel. Research activities need to be directed toward cost reduction, improving fuel properties, and analyzing the economic effects of biodiesel development on U.S. agriculture.
Agricultural Economic Report No. 770.; SERBEP Update
A newsletter targeting the general biomass energy community, reporting on recent events, news, and feature articles.; Ethanol Report
A bi-weekly newsletter covering issues of interest to the ethanol industry.; Western Biomass Quarterly
A quarterly newsletter focusing on clean energy sources, including wood wastes, food wastes, agricultural crop residues, and other waste streams.

Green Building: Environmental Building News
A newsletter, published 10 times a year, the reports on environmentally sustainable design and construction. EBN covers a range of issues relating to green building, from energy efficienty to cellulose-based materials.

Miscellaneous: GRACE Factory Farm Project
The GRACE Factory Farm Campaign (GFFC) works to create a sustainable food production system that is healthful and humane, economically viable, and environmentally sound. Headed by Project Director Bill Weida, the GFFC helps rural communities, family ranchers and farmers around the country to oppose the spread of new factory farms and to close down existing ones which are affecting the health and well-being of communities.; State Inspections Revive Local Markets
An article from ILSR's "The New Rules" journal, Winter 2001 issue.
After years of suffering heavy hits from industry consolidation and low prices, small livestock farmers and independent meat processors are getting a second chance through a long-forgotten policy. The recent resurrection of state meat inspection programs has given farmers the opportunity to market their own meat and is increasing business for small processors.; World Watch
A bimonthly not-for-profit magazine that tracks key indicators of the Earth's well-being, including issues of climate change, forests, agriculture, food production and population.