June Biodiesel Magazine

Page 21

insideNBB

NBB congratulates 2011 ASA Conservation Legacy award winner The American Soybean Association recently announced Ed Ulch and Brian Ulch as the winners of the 2011 ASA Conservation Legacy Award. The father and son pair from Solon, Iowa, grow soybeans, corn and hay on 2,300 acres. Ed Ulch is vice chair of the National Biodiesel Board. The Conservation Legacy Awards Program is a national program designed to recognize outstanding environmental and conservation achievements by U.S. soybean farmers. Selection is based on each farmer's environmental and economic efforts on their farm. Judges look for dedication to the land through cropland management practices, farmstead protection, and conservation and environmental management. Ed serves on the board for the Iowa Soybean Association as well as serving on NBB’s governing board. “It is no coincidence that the biodiesel industry is linked so closely with a Conservation Legacy Award Winner,” said Don Scott, Director of Sustainability for the National Biodiesel

Board. “Sustainability is one of the key principles of both agriculture and the biodiesel industry.” The Ulchs have been leaders in the conservation farm movement in Johnson County, Iowa, and have served as leaders to other farmers in promoting the adoption of best management practices. The Ulches are committed to reduced tillage operations and have implemented no-till practices on their farm for nearly 20 years. “These types of conservation practices and other advances in agriculture are leading to higher yields and lower inputs with the same acreage,” Scott added. “Biodiesel producers are already providing a very sustainable fuel and these advances in agriculture ensure that as the biodiesel industry continues to grow it will do so in a sustainable way.” Along with the American Soybean Association, the Conservation Legacy Awards Program is co-sponsored by Monsanto and the Corn & Soybean Digest.

NBB Members Only site provides platform for important industry information The National Biodiesel Board has a strong online presence that includes www.biodiesel.org, the all-inclusive source for biodiesel information, a biodiesel sustainability website, a BQ-9000 website, a biotrucker website and more. One of the most important features you may not know about, however, is the NBB Members Only site. The Members Only site is a password-protected secure area where NBB member companies can access vital industry information. The site features six content-specific areas, a news-youshould-know section, a rotating featured member, and a section for committee activities and hot topics. Content managers from each of NBB’s project areas frequently upload important documents. The Member Files section features membership forms, a member directory, meeting minutes and a secure online location to report volume dues and production reports. The Federal Affairs section contains detailed RFS2 information, pending legislation, current laws, current grants, tax credit information and other important federal information. The Communication section features prepared talking points, NBB Member news releases, biodiesel stories in the press and other educational materials. The Technical section features ASTM specifications, OEM industry updates, petroleum industry activity and more. The State Affairs section contains current state laws, pending legislation, state mandates, fuel quality laws and regulation by state, and other pending state actions. The Economics/Feedstocks section is home to

The NBB Members Only website is home to many valuable industry resources.

economic impact studies, USDA reports on crop production and other reports. Along with important documents, whitepapers, talking points and other valuable resources, the Members Only site is home to the Members Media Center which holds videos ranging from NBB presentations to on-site RFS2 workshop videos to recent Member Town Hall Webinars. The NBB Members Only site continues to be the go-to place for NBB Members to access the most up-to-date information. While the site continues to have content added to it on a regular basis, a redesigned Members Only site is scheduled to be unveiled this summer.

JUNE 2011

z

BIODIESEL MAGAZINE

21


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.