As many as 120,000 acres may be available to produce biomass energy crops in Central New York.  This and other findings from a recently-completed farmer and landowner survey, will be the focus of several upcoming local meetings. 
 
The Central New York Biomass Crop Study offers insight into growing biomass crops and use of biomass as an energy source, said Dan Conable, co-founder of Cato Analytics consulting firm.
 
“We were asked to look at whether this area could produce enough biomass, at an affordable price, to support a mid-sized renewable biomass energy project.  We look forward to sharing what we learned, and to answering any questions we can, at a series of meetings that are being organized with the help of Cornell Cooperative Extension,” Conable said.
 
This study was sponsored by the New York Farm Viability Institute, a farmer-run nonprofit group that awards grants for projects that help improve farm profitability, and develop models for other farmers.  The Institute received funds from the state legislature and Department of Agriculture and Markets.
 
Recent grants from the NY Farm Viability Institute, housed in Syracuse, have supported the development of information about how to grow biofeedstock, including shrub willow, switchgrass, castor oil, pennycress, and more.  Other projects are exploring how to convert biomass into energy, and market biomass to energy companies.
 
During the study, a project team assessed the biomass crop production potential of more than 150 properties in Madison and neighboring counties.  Each property was evaluated for its potential to produce native grasses, cool season grasses, warm season grasses and hybrid willow.  The team also interviewed 113 landowners about their plans for the land, reasons for owning the land, and the conditions under which they would consider producing biomass or leasing their land for biomass production. 
 
The study has attracted the attention of many farmers and landowners in the region, Conable said.
 
“The cross-section of rural landowners who participated showed a wide range of views about how energy crop production would fit into what they want to do with their land,” he said. 
 
At the public meetings, Cato Analytics representatives are slated to discuss what the study indicates about the price levels needed to achieve a substantial level of biomass output, characteristics of the land base in the region, and the potential effect of government incentive programs. 
 
Meeting schedule:
Wednesday, March 10, 10 a.m.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, 100 Eaton St., Morrisville
(315) 684-3001
 
Thursday, March 18, 7 p.m.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County, 99 N. Broad St., Norwich
(607) 334-5841
 
Saturday, March 20, 9 a.m.*
Gilroy, Kernan and Gilroy, 210 Clinton Road, New Hartford.
(315) 736-3394 extension 129 
* This meeting starts a program for rural landowners.  The results of the biomass crop study will be presented 11 a.m.
 
Registration is not required for the meetings.  For more information, call the Central New York Biomass Crop Study hotline at (315) 893-4004. 
 
On the web:
Cato Analytics, http://catoanalytics.com/  
NY Farm Viability Institute, www.nyfvi.org  
 
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Contact:
Rebecca Schuelke Staehr, NY Farm Viability Institute communication specialist 
   T: (315) 453-3823 
   E: rschuelke@nyfvi.org