The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture will offer a field day entitled, "Energy on the Farm: A Toolkit for Taking Control of Energy Bills" at The Lands at Hillside Farms in Shavertown, Pa.

The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and costs $15 for PASA members and $25 for all others and includes lunch.

The objective of this daylong workshop is to provide information on alternative options to improve farm energy efficiency including a biodiesel demonstration and tour of the dairy farm.

The day will begin with an introduction to biodiesel production presented by Piedmont Biofuels, a biodiesel cooperative in Pittsboro, NC. Participants will learn how to convert plant matter and restaurant waste into a high quality fuel for diesel engines.

A demonstration on the innovative mobile biodiesel processing trailer will cover production as well as proper handling and use, giving participants the opportunity to see all the components of a small commercial biodiesel production system in operation, including oilseed crushing.

This field day will also focus on emphasizing farm energy audits as a means for farmers to explore potential energy savings.

A tour of The Lands at Hillside Farms and its milk processing facility will demonstrate how farmers can benefit from an energy audit. Information on how to have an energy audit performed on your farm will be provided along with a description of what resources are available to improve energy efficiency in your operation. People of all levels of experience are encouraged to attend.

Funding for this workshop is provided by the USDA-Risk Management Agency, through a cooperative partnership agreement with the National Center for Appropriate Technology, as part of a project called "Managing Farm Energy Risks."

The workshop is a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, the Lands at Hillside Farms, Piedmont Biofuels, and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association.

To register, visit the Field Day webpage or contact PASA at 814-349-9856.

5/23/2008