ASA welcomes news this week out of USDA that the department will provide $5.6 million in grants to the nation’s producers of advanced biofuels, including soy-based biodiesel, as well as an additional $4 million in funds to advance the nation’s bioeconomy.

“Biodiesel and other biofuels are a key player in the effort to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and the commitment today from the Department of Agriculture is one that will go a long way toward strengthening this burgeoning industry,” said ASA President and Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser. “Investment in biodiesel—and specifically the Advanced Biofuel Payment and Biodiesel Education Programs we worked with Senate and House Agriculture Committee leadership to strengthen in the 2014 Farm Bill—is a cornerstone issue for ASA and for soybean farmers. They help to advance our industry by spurring innovation and education on the ways we contribute to American energy independence.”

Among those organizations receiving grants through USDA is the National Biodiesel Board, with whom ASA works to spur investment in and the growth of the domestic biodiesel industry.

“We are particularly excited for our partners at NBB,” added Gaesser, “Their work to advance the biodiesel industry has been integral in creating a valuable and growing market for soybean oil that actually decreases the price of the soybean meal used for animal feed. We look forward to seeing the research and market-building that NBB generates with this new investment from USDA.”

Also funded through the Critical Agricultural Materials program was a project at Iowa State University that develops new paint, coating, and adhesive products made from acrylated glycerol, a byproduct of the biodiesel processing industry.

“The project at ISU is a prime example of the ingenuity at the heart of the soybean industry,” said Gaesser. “Our beans go into so many different applications, and it is wonderful to see the investment and commitment from USDA to fostering this innovation.”

For questions, please reach out to me or to Tom Hance in ASA's Washington office. We will keep you updated as this issue progresses.