STAPLES — The Staples campus of Central Lakes
College will host the second Ag & Energy Expo from 9:30 a.m. to 3:25 p.m., Friday
Feb. 24, a free event featuring Michael Reese the Renewable Energy Director at
the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center at
Morris. The day-long event that includes breakfast and lunch is co-sponsored by
CLC and Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank of Wadena, Staples and Long Prairie. Reese
has participated as Project Manager or Coordinator on several renewable energy
research and demonstration projects including large scale wind energy, biomass
gasification, renewable hydrogen, and other renewable energy systems. He has spoken
at regional, state, and national conferences on the topic of renewable energy. He
maintains a strong focus in agriculture, rural economic and business development,
and community vitality.
Julia
Palmer, Public Relations and Event Coordinator, Mid-Central said exhibitors
registered for this annual event include several companies emphasizing
conservation and natural resource stewardship with wind energy and solar power
technological advancements and considerations for both home and commercial
utilization, soil and water, and Energy Project Funding, and economic
developments.
“We
have many exhibitors registering from many regions who will promote a variety
of products and solutions,” Palmer said. “Interests include wind towers and
turbines, solar heat, and energy efficiency equipment, grain-drying crop
demonstrations, home energy and gasification boilers and bio equipment.”
Break-out
sessions and a webinar will be taking place later in the day provide a large
array of opportunities and will address many topics ranging from energy crop
opportunities and developments, Silent Power Projects, Energy Project Funding,
Wind Energy Considerations at the CLC Agriculture and Energy Center near Staples.
Participants from Central Lakes College include Robert Schafer, Del Lecy, Bob
Rick, Keith Olander, and Nathan Converse.
“We
had a phenomenal response and attendance for our first Expo,” said Palmer. “Last
year was a huge success. We had embraced a topic that is pertinent to the well-being
of our local communities with future thoughts on energy conservation and
natural resource, and financial opportunities.”
Palmer
said those attending do not need to be a member of the bank or affiliated with
the college to attend or be an exhibitor.
For information or to
register, contact Julia Palmer at (218) 639-7615 or (218) 640-0193 or
Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank staff at 1-877-631-1414 or Cindy Hase of CLC
at (218)-894-5100.
