SPOKANE, Wash. — Prospects for growing canola and mustard as a renewable energy source in eastern Washington is the topic of a workshop sponsored by Washington State University Extension, Feb. 17.
“The goal of having a fully operable, local oilseed crusher is closer than ever before,” says Pam Kelley, a Pacific Northwest Processors facilitator. PNP represents a group of growers and business owners who are coordinating a regional effort to reap the highest value from processing canola and mustard grain into biodiesel, livestock feed, and related value- added products.
“Our goal is to build several small oilseed-crushing facilities in eastern Washington, with the first one scheduled for Fall 2004. We are eager to partner with area farmers to make canola and mustard seed a profitable crop for the Pacific Northwest,” Kelley said.
PNP will present a business option they believe will make canola and mustard profitable crops for eastern Washington farmers.
The workshop will also include a session on the agronomics of canola and mustard. It will be presented by Don Wysocki, Oregon State University, Pendleton, Ore. Several area growers who have practical experience growing these crops will discuss their experience.
The workshop will conclude with a discussion of current and future oilseed varieties and products by Jack Brown, University of Idaho oilseed breeder.
The meeting will be at the Spokane County Extension Education Center, 222 N. Havana, Spokane. The program will be 9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. It is free and open to anyone interested. For further information, or to sign up for e-mail notification of meetings, please contact Diana Roberts, WSU Extension, (509) 477-2167 or e-mail robertsd@wsu.edu. For special accommodation for a disability contact WSU Spokane County Extension, (509) 477-2048 beforehand.
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