SBA News

Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance News

SBA puts down roots at Farm Aid 2008

This September the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance was lucky enough to be a part of the "Home Grown Village" at Farm Aid 2008. The Village was an educational experience filled with displays from organic farms, farm related youth groups and NGO's. Visitors learned the value of sustainability, and local sourcing for food as well as being exposed to alternative energies and fuel technologies. The SBA presented important information on the facts and fiction about biodiesel today, and recruited over 150 new members.

Visitors were very receptive to the message of sustainable community based biodiesel. This year the Farm Aid concert drew a crowd of over 20,000 visitors with an impressive line up of performers including Jerry Lee lewis, Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders, John Mellencamp, Kenny Chesney, Dave Mathews with Tim Reynolds, Neil Young and Farm Aid founder Willie Nelson. Besides a day of great music, attendees enjoyed educational displays and local, organic food and drinks. The Farm Aid concert is not just a venue for amazing musical acts but it serves a very important purpose; to support family farmers across the country. The founders of Farm Aid and the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance share common goals, and the SBA was honored to be a part of this years event. The sentiments of both groups can be felt when Farm Aid founder and SBA supporter Willie Nelson says "The only way to solve this is to do it locally, Let your neighbors grow your food so you don't have to import it. That addresses not only the big expense, but the environmental problem. And at the same time you're getting better food." This local, sustainable model can be applied to agriculture as well as biodiesel. The SBA hopes to be a part of many Farm Aid events in years to come.

The SBA presents at the 2008 National Clean Cities Coordinators Retreat

This year the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance was invited to Big Sky Montanna, to speak on Sustainability at the 2008 Clean Cities Coordinators Retreat. SBA representative Tanner Watt gave a presentation on sustainable biodiesel. the SBA was able to use this event to reach out to over 75 representatives from Clean Cities programs across the country. The Clean Cities program is funded directly by the Department of Energy. Clean Cities strives to advance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of petroleum consumption. Clean Cities has a network of approximately 90 volunteer coalitions, which develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction. The SBA will continue to work with the Clean Cities program on many exciting programs. stay tuned for more information on SBA programs and events in your area. For more information on Clean Cities click here.

The SBA goes local at the 2008 Biodiesel Coalition of Texas convention

This year the Biodiesel Coalition of Texas held their annual convention in Austin, Texas. The SBA was a sponsor of the event and Presented an educational booth in the exhibit hall. SBA Executive Director Jeff Plowman was a guest speaker at the event and also acted as a moderator on a panel discussion on sustainability. For more information on BCOT click here.

Interested in becoming a member of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance? Click here to become a memeber.