NCGA’S Doggett to Participate at Cellulosic Summit (10-20-06)

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett will represent corn growers in a roundtable discussion at the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit in Washington, D.C., Nov. 13- 15.

The summit will bring together a broad array of organizations and industry representatives to discuss the role cellulose will play in advancing renewable fuels alternatives.

“Corn growers have led the ethanol industry from the ground up and will continue to have an important role to play as we work to advance the future of ethanol as a viable and feasible alternative fuel,” Doggett said. “Corn based ethanol in addition to cellulosic ethanol will both be important to our energy security and future. It is important to work together to build a stronger industry 15 to 20 years down the road.”

Doggett will participate in a roundtable discussion, “The Agricultural Community's Perspective on the Value Chain.” Other panelists include: Tom Buis, National Farmers Union president; Duane Grant, owner and manager of Grant Four-D Farms; Richard Hamilton, Ceres, Inc. president and CEO; and Dale Schuler, National Association of Wheat Growers president. The roundtable discussion will be moderated by Ernest Shea, project coordinator of the 25 x 25 coalition.

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns is scheduled to deliver the keynote address, “Agriculture’s Role in Building a National Cellulosic Ethanol Industry.”

The goals of the summit include providing a forum where all stakeholders can discuss activities needed or under way for developing a national cellulosic ethanol industry; outline key technical, organizational, economic and financial challenges stakeholders face; and the types of relationships needed to support cellulosic ethanol.

A briefing called “Building the Cellulosic Ethanol Industry: Status and Outlook” will be provided to attendees prior to the event. For more information, visit www.infocastinc.com/cell06.html or call 818-888-4444.