Alternative Fuels

Leadership for Alternative Energy Cooperative

The Georgia Alternative Energy Cooperative has been formed to develop alternative energy opportunities for growers to increase profits from their crops. Tift County Extension provides leadership for this grower-owned value added cooperative. In 2005, the Tift County Extension Coordinator worked with Extension agents in Ben Hill, Berrien, Cook, Irwin, Turner and Worth counties to put together a steering committee of producers to evaluate the potential bio-energy opportunities for producers. The coordinator conducted meetings, provided leadership for economic development grants, and served as facilitator and key presenter and liaison with the board of directors. The mission of this corporation is to research alternative energy opportunities and develop operations for producers to increase profits by adding value and profitability to their crops. The project has received strong support by community leaders, producers, governmental elected officials and the agribusiness community. A total of $75,000 in support grants has been generated for startup funds. The GAEC members are pursuing the development of an ethanol facility in the Tifton area. The facility would use 14 million to 16 million bushels of corn annually and employ around 40 full-time associates. (2006)

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