Out here in Iowa, as soon as you leave the city you are surrounded by farms primarily growing corn and soybeans. A farmer told me a couple of days ago that Iowans only eat 3% of the soybeans produced in Iowa, and that the rest is used for biodiesel production. All of the gasoline in Iowa has at least 10% ethanol, and biofuels are strongly supported by the state and national governments. However, there is concern over the environmental impacts biodiesel production causes, the amount of energy consumed during production, and the efficiency of ethanol production from various biofuel soruces.

I am not an expert on biofuels, but I am excited that in a couple of days at the March to ReEnergize Iowa we will have the opportunity to explore some of the details of biofuel production. On Thursday, our kickoff begins with a biofuels walking tour at Reiman Gardens at 9:30 am. The walking tour allows you to see what biorenewable plants look like, learn about their cultivation requirements, and learn more about the issues concerning biofuels. During the walking tour, you can see 15 different plants that are used to make ethanol. All you need for the tour is a cell phone.

Not only will we get a chance to learn about the ecological aspects of biofuels, but on Saturday night we will have the opportunity to discuss some of the current policies surrounding biofuels. During our evening program at Saydel High School, Saylorville at 5:00 pm, Ed Woolsey of the Iowa Renewable Energy Association will lead a session on biofuel policies and how individuals can get involved with biofuel issues. Also, that evening we will have sessions on coal and industry and their relationship to global warming.

These are both incredible opportunities to learn about an issue that is so dominant in Iowa, and I can't wait to be a part of it. Even if you can't make it to the march itself, I highly recommend that people check out our evening programs and the Reiman Gardens biofuels walking tour.