Biodiesel Coalition of Missouri Wraps First Year of Partnerships

The Biodiesel Coalition of Missouri’s first year saw its partnership and outreach efforts grow throughout the state. During its December meeting, the Coalition’s board of directors heard from members on their joint efforts to support training programs and connect with youth on opportunities surrounding biodiesel, and set their course for 2019.

“Coming together as the Biodiesel Coalition of Missouri has laid the groundwork for us to reach farther, faster,” said James Greer, vice president supply and government affairs for MFA Oil Company, who was elected as the Coalition’s chairman for 2019. “Growing our production and use of biodiesel in Missouri benefits everyone involved – from our rural communities to our population centers – economically and environmentally.”

The Coalition and its partners are working directly with Missouri farmers to highlight biodiesel’s benefits to their bottom line. In addition to hosting lunch and learn events for growers around the state, the Biodiesel Coalition of Missouri and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council partnered to connect attendees at the Missouri Association of Counties annual meeting with the economic impact biodiesel brings to the Show-Me State.

In early 2019, the Coalition will take part in the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture and Missouri Pork Expo, highlighting the environmental benefits of biodiesel as well as the cost savings the biodiesel industry has created for livestock producers.

In addition to electing Greer chairman during their board of directors meeting in Columbia, the Biodiesel Coalition of Missouri members elected Cliff Smith, of Mid-America Biofuels in Mexico, Mo., their vice-chairman, Neal Bredehoeft, a farmer from Alma, Mo., their secretary, and, as treasurer, Gary Wheeler of Missouri’s Soybean Merchandising Council and Association in Jefferson City, Mo. Tony Stafford continues his service as the Coalition’s executive director.

The Coalition, founded in April of this year to focus on the use of clean, renewable biodiesel fuel made in Missouri, brings together each step of the value chain to drive growth. To learn more about the Biodiesel Coalition of Missouri, visit missouribiodiesel.org.