Russell Martin interned with the Conservation and Environmental Programs Division (CEPD) of the USDA Farm Service Agency.

He assisted CEPD in policy and program development for the new Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). The BCAP provides numerous subsidies to renewable biomass producers and is intended to help increase the supply of renewable biomass for conversion to bioenergy in the forms of heat, power, and advanced biofuels, as well as some biobased products. One of the most beneficial aspects of his experience was gaining a deep technical understanding of how the BCAP operates which allowed him to develop several public outreach documents (see Eligible Materials List on BCAP webpage) and presentations (see webinar on the Minnesota Project webpage), serve as a technical reference for public affairs media inquiries (quoted in several popular articles including Biomass Magazine), and establish and maintain contacts with numerous professionals within the bioenergy industry within both the public (NREL, USFWS, Forest Service, NRCS, EPA, and BLM) and private sectors (consulting firms, biomass procurement firms, and energy producers) . While the BCAP is currently in it's infancy (summer 2009), future components of the program will also establish dedicated energy crops on America's croplands and forestlands, which will also require assistance with conservation planning (carried out by NRCS and Forest Service).

BCAP Webpage: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=ener&topic=bcapT
Minnesota Project BCAP Presentation Webpage: http://www.mnproject.org/BCAP.html

The USDA Farm Service Agency is looking for more SNRE interns (especially students who have a conservation background)!

Internship Details