This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

hm-m biofuel?

A new member wrote the following to a board member of the Native  
Prairies Association of Texas (I'm adding paragraph spaces to make it  
easier to read).  Until this email arrived, I haven't even allowed  
myself to even imagine the possibilities associated with a real use  
of switchgrass as biofield.  Read on, please. He makes interested  
comments.

Kunda
Austin, TX

I have been thinking for sometime now on many subjects that have seem  
to coalesce into an idea whose time has come.  Since I have left the  
armed forces I have been getting reacquainted with my home town/ 
county etc.  As I listen to many stories from local citizens I hear  
how difficult the land we inhabit [in far north Texas (not the  
Panhandle)] seems to be as far as making it profitable.

  It seems that it is a transitional zone, not far enough  
north,south,west, or east to have stable seasonal patterns for fruit  
production, farming or ranching, the moods of mother nature swing  
widely in our part of Texas. It also seems to have been left out of  
the natural resources i.e. deposits of natural gas or oil, not great  
timber land etc. You build a house on it and foundations crack and  
crumble etc. So I found myself asking just what good is this land??  
Seems marginal for just about any endeavor except building lakes on  
which I'm not a big fan!!

The meeting [Native Prairies Association of Texas Biennial Conference  
last year] at [Baylor] [in] Waco sponsored by NPAT helped give me an  
idea. I have already sent some thoughts to Senator Bob Deuell,  
Senator Kevin Eltife, and Rep. Mark Homer suggesting that we pursue  
the market developement for ethanol production plants.You will see  
this email is also being copied to them as a followup. You may ask  
what NPAT could possible have to do with ethanol.

I remember President Bush's state of the union speach in where he  
mentioned switchgrass as an alternative to grains for the production  
of alternative fuels, as you know the midwest has about 30 plants in  
production utilizing grains.  I have asked our elected  
representatives to explore the possibilities of such an endeavor.

How can NPAT and other organizations might help.  Our area seems well  
suited only for what nature intended, that is growing prairie grasses  
and forbs, thus I feel this idea can provide many avenues for  
restoration of prairies, planting of  prairie grasses for commerical  
use, i.e ethanol,haying etc, providing cover and food for wildlife,  
restoration for the bobwhite quail, wild turkey's, alternative  
markets for farmers and ranchers, and the beautfication of our lands  
back to (or as close as we can get it) original prairie.

The last one provides for so called eco-tourism opportunities. There  
are many bird watchers, wildlife generalist who would love to spend  
some time on a beautiful flowering prairie, as well as photographers  
etc. This provides townships with the opportunity to entice business  
to there area etc. I understand that there will be some form of  
negativity to doing this, but if one thinks through this opportunity  
I can see only positives for many aspects of our society, especially  
restoration and wildlife benefits. It seemed to me that NPAT has not  
only the expertise to organize a meeting but the professional  
knowledge to educate the public/officials.

I would like for you to explore the possibilities of working toward a  
common goal of organizing a seminar to include ethanlol production  
facilites, growing of switchgrass and other prairie grasses for a  
product,restoration of prairies, inviting as many wildlife  
organizations as possible, such as, National Wild Turkey, Quail  
forever/unlimitied, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Birdwatching  
groups,Wetland Restoration, ranchers,farming organizations, elected  
representatives, chamber of commerce reps from various townships on  
the Blackland prairie and anyone else we could think of that might  
view this as an opportunity for all  to come together for a common goal.

I would like to suggest that if these idea bear fruit that the  
seminar be held in Northeast Texas. I don't know if one day would  
cover it  or perhaps two days requiring a venue that could accomodate  
hotel rooms, eating establlshments etc. It is my desire that  
Northeast Texas  be affored an opportunity for a new business that  
also helps our wildlife/environment.  Your thoughts as always  
appreciated. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PRAIRIE
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index