Posted By Cindy September 5, 2008
A process used in breweries and wastewater treatment facilities could make corn ethanol more energy efficient.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are exploring the use of oxygen-less vats of microorganisms that naturally feed on organic waste produced from the ethanol fermentation process.
According to a university release, a WUSTL team has tested anaerobic digestion on waste from ethanol plants and found that the process could cut down an ethanol facility’s use of natural gas by 50 percent. They published the results in the recent issue of the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
A complete story on the research is available at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Technology Review.
Posted By Cindy September 5, 2008
This trendy trash can is green in more ways than one.
A winner of numerous design awards , the iconic Garbino garbage can from Umbra is now made with corn-based plastic. According to the Umbra website, “Over the years Umbra has designed products with sustainability in mind. We have taken the “Reuse” mentality and adopted a new approach that includes sustainable items like corn and plantation grown wood. Our new line of eco-friendly products promote our objective to provide contemporary, casual and affordable products that foster a healthy environment.”
The 10-quart Garbino, and it’s smaller desktop cousin the Garbini, were named among BusinessWeek’s “Hot Green Products” earlier this year.
Umbra debuted the Garbino Trash Can in 1996, designed by Karim Rashid. “Known for its swerving rim, flowing curves and negative spaces, the Garbino brought glamour to trash cans. The Garbino, with a 10-quart capacity, remains a key part of Umbra’s line; it is a core product that each year introduces Umbra’s newest colors.”
The trendy trash can does come in a variety of colors, but the eco-version is only available in green or black – and the price is pretty reasonable at around $6, but not real easy to find. I did find black ones in a few places, like here at The Container Store, but the greens are on back order.
Posted By Cindy September 4, 2008
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association was one of the top five sponsors for the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council AgNite event on Tuesday, held in conjunction with the Republican National Convention in the Twin Cities.
“The top five platinum sponsors are all Minnesota-based companies or organizations and we were thrilled that they came on board early to sponsor the event,” said council executive director Daryn McBeth. “The food and ag industry is important, it’s Minnesota’s second largest industry, it’s as far away as your next meal and we felt that with this opportunity with so many influencers and media in town for the convention, that in a non-partisan way we could take advantage of that and showcase this important industry.”
The venue and set-up for the event was nothing short of spectacular and extremely well done. The historic Minnesota Depot was skirted on the outside with potted corn stalks and inside the 60,000 square foot area was dotted with comfortable seating around video screens where those attending could just relax and enjoy the food and refreshments while taking in some information about the various agricultural sponsors. Unlike a trade show, it allowed people to take it all in just by the atmosphere. And it showed that agriculture could really throw one heck of a high-class party. There are always multiple outside evening events at political conventions, but the AgNite event was “the go-to” party that evening.
That was a relief to the organizers, who did have some concerns over the weekend when Hurricane Gustav threatened to wash out their plans. But, as it turned out, the attendance for the invitation-only event exceeded all expectations. As someone said, “What if you threw a party and everyone showed up?” Maybe not everybody – I don’t think John McCain made it – but the organizers were still quite pleased with the turnout.
Posted By Cindy September 4, 2008
The AgNite event sponsored by the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council on the second night of the Republican National Convention was a model of what agriculture should be nationwide – united.
Agribusiness companies and organizations of all stripes united to showcase the food, fuel and agriculture industries for the delegates and policy makers in the Twin Cities for the convention. The event’s top sponsors included the Minnesota Corn Growers, CHS, Land O’ Lakes, Hormel and AgStar – growers, food processors, co-ops – the meat industry and the grain industry … everyone put their differences aside, both political and policy, for at least one evening to unite for agriculture. Unofficial estimates put the crowd during the night at over 4,000 – a tremendous turnout that exceeded expectations. It was a beautiful thing.
Let’s keep that momentum going.
