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Time to submit nominations

By Staff | Dec 25, 2015

The production of ethanol and biodiesel is big business in Iowa. The Hawkeye State’s role in the nation’s renewable fuels industry is enormous.

Our state has 43 ethanol refineries with the ability to generate in excess of 3 billion gallons of this important fuel each year according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. Iowa’s 12 biodiesel plants currently can produce more than 300 million gallons annually.

This industry’s success is important to Iowa’s economy. The annual Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards recognize fuel retailers that are helping it do so. Awards, now in their ninth year, are presented for both the marketing of ethanol and biodiesel.

Early this month, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey issued a call for Iowa retailers and gas stations to submit nominations for these awards.

“Fuel retailers continue to take steps to make ethanol and biodiesel more available to Iowa customers and this award is an opportunity to recognize those who have shown leadership in promoting these renewable fuels and making them more available to customers,” Northey said.

Nominations forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov. Completed nominations can be submitted via email at Dustin.VandeHoef@iowaagriculture.gov or mail at Henry A. Wallace Building, Attn: Dustin Vande Hoef, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines IA 50319. Dec. 31 is the deadline by which nominations must be received.

According to the statement issued by Northey, “qualifying entities will be those that market the renewable fuels they have available through creative means including, but not limited to: hosting special events highlighting their renewable fuels, development of creative signage, initiation of new advertisements or marketing efforts, and efforts that dramatically increase renewable fuel availability.”

Farm News applauds this effort to acknowledge worthy marketing efforts that are boosting an important Iowa industry.