Seminar on Energy, Water and Working Lands

A Matter of Balance: Energy, Water and Working Lands

Wednesday, March 7, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration opens at 8 a.m.)
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, Michigamme Room
Sponsor: Michigan Chapter, Soil and Water Conservation Society

Energy and water are inextricably linked in what a Great Lakes Commission issue brief called  í¢â‚¬Å“the energy/water nexus.í¢â‚¬  The brief stated that it takes water to produce energy and it takes energy to make water available.  How does this relate to working lands such as farmland and forestland?  It takes energy to get products from working lands, and working lands produce energy in foods and fuels.  The production of biofuels such as corn-based ethanol uses vast amounts of water. When ethanol is produced from corn that is irrigated, it can use nearly 1,000 gallons of water per gallon of fuel.  It takes energy to provide this water, and energy costs money.  So any practice that produces energy or reduces energy use potentially reduces costs. This seminar looks at the relationships of energy, water and working lands, how each affects the others, and how both conservation and wise use help to sustain all three.  This seminar is for agency conservation professionals, as well as private consultants, conservation advocates and land users.  Advance registration is required.  For more information, go to www.miswcs.org or contact Daniel.Kesselring@miswcs.org.

For related information, visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Energy Web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/energy

Daniel F. Kesselring, Secretary
Michigan Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society
Marshall, MI