Proceedings available at: http://www.extension.org/67728 The online Bioenergy Training Center provides educational training resources for Extension educators focused not only on the technical feasibility of bioenergy generation, but also on approaches and processes that assist communities in understanding the comprehensive implications of bio-based alternative energy. The intended outcome of the courses is to bring viable bioenergy projects into communities by providing Extension educators with tools and knowledge they can use to make this happen.

1. an on-line educational resource
http://fyi.uwex.edu/biotrainingcenter
The Bioenergy Training Center provides
educational and training resources for Extension
and other community-based educators. Resources
include curriculum, links to instructor-led trainings
(webinars, videos), information about face-to-face
training programs, and assessment tools.
Learning for life
SUSTAINABLE BIOENERGY ON-FARM ENERGY CONSERVATION
AND EFFICIENCY
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
Our introductory series contains four
modules that present core topics and key
concepts around bioenergy generation and
environmental sustainability. The curriculum covers a wide range of
issues, including sustainability concerns, technical aspects of
bioenergy generation, bioenergy feedstock production, water quality,
and community engagement processes to assist communities in
understanding the implications of bio-based alternative energy.
BIOEN1: Introduction to Bioenergy: Background; Bioenergy products, feedstocks,
co-products & by-products; Economic, social & ecological impacts of bioenergy at local,
national, and global levels; Current and emerging challenges to bioenergy development
http://blogs.extension.org/bioen1
BIOEN2: Bioenergy Crop Production & Harvesting:
Marketing and economics; Bioenergy crop production:
A crop-by-crop analysis; Best management practices for
protecting soil, water & wildlife
http://blogs.extension.org/bioen2
BIOEN3: Water Resources: Issues & Opportunities in
Bioenergy Generation: Introduction; Watershed-level
impacts: water use in bioenergy production; Policy options &
implications
http://blogs.extension.org/bioen3
BIOEN4: Community Economic Development & Bioenergy Generation:
Introduction to community issues in bioenergy development; Community participation
in renewable energy development; Roles for Extension educators
http://blogs.extension.org/bioen4
ASSESSMENT TOOLS: The Sustainable Bioenergy
Course features three assessment tools to encourage
community participation in decision making about energy
alternatives (available in pdf download):
• Community Assessment Checklist for Renewable Energy
• Bioenergy & Renewable Energy Community
Assessment Toolkit and Matrices
• Renewable Energy Community Preparedness Index
Our second series contains three
modules that introduce the importance of
on-farm energy conservation and
efficiency. Technology options and best
practices are discussed, and available tools
and resources are identified to assist clients in energy conservation
transitions.
ENCON 1: Introduction to Farm Energy Use: Farm energy use;
Energy supply & costs forecast; Energy conservation & efficiency considerations
http://blogs.extension.org/encon1
ENCON2: Farm Practices to Improve Energy Efficiency
ENCON2A – Cropland: Tillage practices; Planting;
Maintenance; Matching tractor to implement and load;
Management of fertilizer use; Equipment operation; Crop
production management
ENCON2B – Dairy Farms: Refrigerated compressors;
Refrigeration heat recovery; Water heating; Well water pre-
cooling; Variable-speed milk pumps; Variable-speed vacuum
pumps; Energy assessment tools
ENCON2C – Grain Drying: Dryer energy use;
Continuous-flow dryers; Batch dryers; High temperature
dryer cooling options; Energy assessment tools
ENCON2D – Irrigation: Pumping; Center pivot & linear move; Solid set, hand move,
wheel move; Irrigation scheduling; Energy assessment tools
ENCON2E – Animal Housing: Ventilation; Lighting; Solid set, hand move, wheel
move; Energy assessment tools
ENCON2F – Greenhouses: Principle of heat loss; Greenhouse layout; Orientation;
Glazing materials; Infiltration; Thermal curtains; Heating systems; Environmental controls;
Space utilization; Ventilation; Supplemental lighting; Temperature levels; Passive solar
greenhouses; Energy assessment tools
http://blogs.extension.org/encon2
ENCON3: Resources: State & utility energy efficiency programs; Federal energy
efficiency programs
http://blogs.extension.org/encon3
Our third series contains seven modules
focused on the use of anaerobic digestion
technologies. Details of the process are
introduced, as well as factors that influence start-up, operation and
control of anaerobic digesters at different scales.
ANDIG1: Introduction to Anaerobic Digestion: The anaerobic digestion
process; Background; Products from anaerobic digestion; Environmental benefits and
concerns
http://blogs.extension.org/andig1
ANDIG2: Factors that Affect Manure Digestion: Microbial population;
Feedstocks; Loading rate; Mixing; Environmental factors
http://blogs.extension.org/andig2
ANDIG3: Types of Anaerobic Digesters: Introduction;
Passive systems; Low-rate systems; High-rate systems; Choosing
a digester
http://blogs.extension.org/andig3
ANDIG4: Anaerobic Digester Start-up, Operation
and Control: The anaerobic digestion process; Start-up;
Operation & control; Reasons for digester failure; Implementing
safety procedures
http://blogs.extension.org/andig4
ANDIG5: Economics of On-farm Anaerobic Digesters: Capital requirements,
Operating and maintenance costs; Products & by-product markets; Computer decision
tools for digester economic assessment
http://blogs.extension.org/andig5
ANDIG6: Cooperative Development of Digesters: Regulations;
Obtaining community and government support; Community needs assessment;
Business structure; Case studies
http://blogs.extension.org/andig6
ANDIG7: State and Federal Regulations: Federal regulations; State regulations;
Local regulations; Occupational health & safety
http://blogs.extension.org/andig7 This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. WISN-2007-03790.
Project Title: “Energy Independence, Bioenergy Generation and Environmental Sustainability:
The Role of a 21st Century Engaged University.”
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are
those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
Graphic design by Jeffrey J. Strobel, UW-Extension Environmental Resources Center
Project Collaborators:
The Bioenergy Training – Modular Course Series is a
multi-state collaborative effort involving content experts,
peer reviewers, instructional designers, editors and
coordinators from throughout the North Central region
and beyond. Our core curriculum development team is
listed below.
Curriculum Development Team and authors
University of Illinois Extension: Gary Letterly – Ext. Educator, Energy and
Environmental Stewardship; Anne Silvis – Ext. Specialist, Dept. of Human &
Community Development (Lead author)
Iowa State University: Tim Borich – Ext. Community Economic
Development Program Director; Mark Hanna – Ext. Ag. Engineer, Energy
Conservation; Gerald Miller – Co-P.I., Ext. Director, ANRE
Kansas State Research and Extension: Dan Kahl – Research and Ext.
Liaison, Center for Engagement and Community Development
MichiganStateUniversityExtension:CharlesGould–Ext.Educator,Bioenergy/Bio-
products(Leadauthor);DennisPennington–BioenergyEducator(Leadauthor)
University of Minnesota Extension Service: Gary Wyatt – Ext., Educator,
Natural Resources Mgmt. & Utilization; Diomy Zamora – Extension Educator,
Forest Biomass
University of Missouri: Don Day – Ext. Associate, Energy; Dan Downing –
Water Quality Associate & Community Development; Debi Kelly – Missouri
Alternatives Center, Sustainable Ag. Coordinator
University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Tom Franti – Ext. Specialist, Biological Systems
Engineering (Lead author); John Hay – Ext. Educator, Energy and Biofuels
North Dakota State University: Cole Gustafson – Ext. Educator, Biofuels
Economist; Ken Hellavang – Ext. Engineer, ND Biomass Energy Center & Task
Force; Carl Pedersen – Energy Educator, Ag. & Biosystems Engineering
South Dakota State University: Kurt Reitsma – Ext. Educator, Bioenergy
University of Wisconsin-Extension: Andrew Dane – Community
Development and Sustainability Specialist, SEH, Inc. (Lead author); Pete
Kling – Community Economic Development Educator; Sharon Lezberg –
Project Coordinator (Project management team); David Liebl – Solid and
Hazardous Waste Education Center; Jeff Mullins – Outreach Specialist,
Distance Education (Project management team); Scott Sanford – Biological
Systems Engineering (Lead author); Robin Shepard – Co-P.I.; Executive
Director for the North Central Cooperative Extension Association; Carol
Williams – Agricultural Ecosystems Research Group (Lead author)
eXtension Farm Energy Community of Practice: Sue Hawkins – Farm
Energy CoP Coordinator (Project management team)
DennisPennington.FarmEnergyCoP
JohnKaters
FarmEnergyCoP
JohnKaters
ScottSanfordScottSanfordJeffreyJ.Strobel
SharonLezberg
JohnKaters