Linda Grotberg , Prairie Farm Pilot Project

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Big Idea

We have seen farmers interested in homegrown fuel during every fuel crisis since 1980. Always, the interest wanes. Industry doesn't promote small-scale sustainable production. Without grassroots research and development, the widespread use of homegrown fuel will not happen on U.S. farms.

Our experience in producing our own homegrown fuel over the past two years has shown that small-scale, on-farm, renewable biofuel production can increase and maintain small farms and rural communities by growing and producing fuel to run tractors and vehicles, heat homes and generate electricity. We will be a hands-on working model to help other farmers. We are committed to sustainable, organic, responsible agriculture and believe that it is our responsibility to share the concept with others.

How Winning Will Help

The money will help us create a business to produce homegrown fuel and livestock feed from sunflower oil; use waste byproducts for heating; use the oil and feed; sell the excess oil and feed; offer courses on oil pressing; and provide technical resources and a help desk.

About Linda Grotberg

Five years ago, my husband and I returned to active farming at retirement age in Wimbledon, N.D., to restore our soil and test our theories of small farm sustainability. We became organic, no-till farmers amid large-scale industrial farms. We continue to learn by our successes as well as our failures, sharing our experiences with others. The learning curve for the oil-press project has been straight up, but we continue to ensure that we and our fellow farmers dig the well of sustainability before we get thirsty.