Jan 27, 2012

Ag & Energy Expo


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.