Project Overview
FNE03-453
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2003: $4,367.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2004
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $1,882.00
Region: Northeast
State: Vermont
Project Leader:
Carl Benson
Back Acres Farm
Commodities
- Vegetables: tomatoes
Practices
- Energy: general energy
- Farm Business Management: feasibility study
Proposal summary:
The environmental advantages to using biodiesel fuels made from waste vegetable oil are obvious, but it is not obvious that a farmer using these fuels will reduce farm operating costs. The farmer will heat his greenhouses using waste cooking oil collected from local restaurants and mix it with methanol and lye to make fuel. He will track his costs, the time involved in collecting waste oil and making the fuel, and the cost to heat the greenhouse. The results will be offered in an on-farm workshop and will be reported in grower publications and an extension newsletter.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.