Whatcom County Community Food and Energy Project
We are working with Comunidad y Comunidad, a community organization working with Latino farmworkers, on multiple economic development and organizing projects. The project has received three grants from the USDA and one is in process. So far, the project has supported the creation of two local food businesses and a community based collective to support these and other aspiring businesses. The approach we have taken has been documented as a model for providing services to rural Latino communities. Our model is receiving favorable national attention.

The Mustard Meal Commercialization Project
We created a coalition of agricultural associations, local businesses, organic growers and university researchers exploring agronomic applications for mustard meal, a promising bio-pesticide that is a major byproduct of biofuel production. We are leading efforts to find market applications for the meal in organic crop systems. Successful commercialization will mean greater efficiencies for biofuel facilities and less use of synthetic petrochemicals.

Methow Valley Healthy Forest Project
We administered a major grant to restore highly compromised forests to health. This led to several grant proposals to study turning woody biomass into energy, one of which was funded. We have just completed the restoration and study projects. This project resulted in treating four hundred acres of critical forest habitat and creating a model for incorporating forest restoration with renewable energy production, which promises to increase the economic viability of both in remote rural communities.

Yakima Dairy Producers
We obtained and executed a grant to study the feasibility of converting dairy waste to methane and other products through anaerobic digestion. Part of the project was to look at an innovative technology to convert methane to LNG. This project resulted in producing significant information on the economics of anaerobic digestion and synergistic opportunities in co-location of different technologies and co-production of bio-products. One of the participating dairies subsequently developed a digester.

Quinault Indian Nation
They acted as general contractor on a renewable energy planning grant. We produced a scoping study, and energy plan for the reservation and Casino. Our work led to implementation of a forward looking energy conservation program and an additional grant to study the feasibility of commercial production of renewable energy from wood.