Bonham – The Agriculture Department’s recent release of funding for biofuels initiatives could offer local farmers an all new cash crop, Fannin County Farm Bureau President Jerry Magness said.

“Our organization has always supported the development of renewable energy, but what’s great about the current round of funding from USDA is that it targets the development of cellulosic technologies,” said Magness. “Instead of relying solely on our row crops, cellulosic biofuels are made from wood chips, switchgrass and crop stubble—things that had no real value to farmers previously.”

The USDA announced it would guarantee $80 million in loans for the production of cellulosic ethanol. Increased biofuel production will be necessary as the industry works to comply with current national energy policy, which is drawn to wean consumers off their reliance on foreign fossil fuels.

“Energy independence is something we have to deal with as we look to the future,” Magness said. “With investment in these sectors to further develop the needed technologies, our farmers can lead the way in attaining those goals.”