New Plymouth Biodiesel Plant

We visited a biodiesel plant in Plymouth, ID. The plant is a Blue Sky production facility with the potential to produce up to 20 gallons of biodiesel a minute or 10 million gallons per year.

Paul Mann is the current general manager of the first Idaho biodiesel plant which is now running at part-time capacity. He welcomed us and gave us a short introduction about the chemistry of biodiesel. The standard formula is for every 100 grams of oil, there is 20 grams methanol plus a catalyst that makes up a hydroxide that equals about 25% of the oil. Once the transesterification occurs, 90% of the volume is biodiesel and the remaining 10% is glycerine. Anyone can make biodiesel, but the plant uses a process without water. Instead of water, b-10 resin beads capture the soaps and glycerine. 

 Paul Mann is trying to buy the plant with an associate continue operations since the plant has been rebuilt after an incident disrupted development several years ago.  The plant provides jobs for the community and tax revenue for the local economy.

Homegrown Poultry

After our biodiesel production facility tour we had an impromptu local poultry processing tour. HomeGrown Poultry prides itself on being the first state-approved poultry and rabbit processor in the state of Idaho, and one of three in the northwest. Janie Burns and Jack Kleeb co-own the business. They started up Homegrown Poultry because they are advocates of organic, sustainable, humane animal raising, and realized that the meat that Idahoans demanded had to be processed somewhere. If they didn't start up the local processing facility the likelihood of the mistreatment of these well raised birds was pretty high. Most of their fowl processed comes from 20-30 miles away. They reserve the right to turn away prospective customers if they are kicking around their birds, but have only had to do that twice in 6 years. They compost all of the waste products, (blood, feathers, innards), on Janie's farm, the Meadow Lark Farm.
When redesigning their building they took into consideration all of the green features they could integrate. This included passive solar, swamp cooling and R44 insulation.
Janie left us on a good note with regards to all types of sustainable systems and projects stating, "We are all cogs, and we interface where the gears are. We can't do it by ourselves, and that is why your [networking] work is so important".

Boise Farmers Market

Welcome to the Capital City Public Market of Boise, Idaho. The Market is an on-going, centrally located gathering place where local farmers and producers can sell their products to community residents and visitors. The Market upholds the age-old tradition of allowing the consumer to meet the producer while encouraging the production and consumption of agricultural products in the Treasure Valley. Maintaining a diverse mix of products offered for sale at the Market will provide direct marketing opportunities for growers, specialty food vendors, and artisan vendors alike. The Market is more than just a place of business, it is a mutually beneficial and sustainable community activity.

The vegetable scent and color of the bus blended in with the fresh organic produce at the market. A collective of interesting folk felt the pull of the homegrownprosperity magnet, stopping by to discuss the need for a more sustainable future. Walt, a local city and university coordinator, was interested in the hands-on demonstrations we had at the bus. He believed the role of the bus to be valuable especially in lesser populated communities.  The wind for schools program he is involved with promotes energy independence.  We came across multiple examples of this model in North Dakota and South Dakota as well. 

Once again, the biodiesel demonstration attracted several interested folks who were already producing their own biodiesel or were planning on retrofitting their engines to run on waste vegetable oil.  We were able to offer advice for streamlining the process by referencing the myriad of others pursuing the same process on our renewable energy tour.

Local food was the real flavor of the market.  Farmers from around the region offered a variety of produce and local goods. Many boasted the heralded 'organic certification', while others had placards of 'locally grown, fresh, chemical free'.  The issue of organic certification became evident as several farmers reiterated the expenses, time, and hurdles of meeting and maintaining the certification.  With our bellies full of local fruits and veggies, we headed to the river for a float on the Boise River before heading to Oregon.

Boise Co-op

Our big green school bus took over the Boise Co-op parking lot. The co-op has wonderful local foods, a full deli, and a nice atmosphere, making the crew feel right at home. Though Friday evening is a busy time at the co-op, members, local shoppers and workers were quite receptive and interested in our bus and all the info we had to share with them. We were pleasantly surprised to meet and talk with a large number of young people who in a variety of ways working toward leading sustainable lives. It was exciting and inspiring to hear about their hopes and the actions they are taking to make them a reality. Our time at the co-op allowed us to learn a bit more about young folks wanting to make a difference from and in an urban setting. We also realized that Idaho is a small place as we were able to make a neat connection between Grace Horowitz, a co-op worker and some of the geothermal heated farms we had visited the day prior. After a great conversation about the importance of local foods and initiates taken in Idaho like Idaho's bounty, we realized that we had visited Grace's mother farm, full of citrus and fig trees. These small connections allow us to understand the importance behind organizing and outreach and energize us to continue onward with Idaho and the rest of the tour.

Wind to Hydrogen

Synthetic Energy, Inc. is a wind to hydrogen power facility run by Craig Hanes, just outside of Boise. They have two wind turbines that each produce a peak of 50 KW, providing 25% of the facility's power. The power running to the building makes electrolysis of the water possible, separating the oxygen from the hydrogen. After the hydrogen is separated, it is piped to a holding tank on the back of a Norco truck. It is used for multiple purposes, including argon gas and electric motor coolant. The facility produces 232 cubic feet of H2 per hour (there are 7.8 gallons in one cubic foot).

Gooding County Parade and Fair

Gooding County celebrated it's 100th birthday in style. Parade participants ranged from cowboys on horseback, to families on covered wagons, to Smokey the Bear and of course, the Green Bus. As in all parades thus far this summer, children and their parents line the streets eagerly waiting for the next float and all the surprises and candy this may bring along. Parades are exciting to see and be in. This parade was particularly exciting for the crew as we realized that it was our last one this summer, therefore we decided to bid farewells to parades in style. Laura rode through the streets in an electric moped owned by Dean Richardson of Dargreen Power, a local renewable energy business entrepreneur. Chelsea sat on the roof of the bus and tossed candy to multiple little hands as they waved desperately and anxiously. Derek also from the roof, displayed his fire spinning moves awing our audience, and Jeff tooted and tooted and from the driver's seat.

The hour and a half of fun down Main St. lead us to the Gooding County Fairgrounds. At the Fairgrounds the crew was joined by Dean Richardson owner of Dargreen Power. Dean brought his mopeds, a wind-turbine model as well as a wealth of information about solar and wind installation and renewable energy policy here in Idaho. The crew also met some former Missoulians in the beginning stages setting up a biodiesel co-op in the area as well as a plethora of folks interested in using and becoming involved in biodiesel production. As the Fairground rides light up, the rodeo was full swing, and the air was overpowered by the smell of Kettlecorn, the Bus bid Gooding and parades farewell.

Happy Birthday Gooding and Thank you for inviting us to your Party!

Beyond Organic

Garden green in the middle of January? Citrus and figs all year-round in Idaho? Hot springs, artesian wells and a committed network of farmers make this possible. James and his family enthusiastically welcomed us into their world, full of surprises and hope. Heated soaking pools, complex vegetable gardens, geothermally heated greenhouses full of flowers, plants, mirrors and hammocks; their place is beautiful chaos. James, his family and friends have cultivated this rich, tucked-away land as well as a vibrant community of friends and neighbors who work to maintain and sustain t

his special place. James and many of his neighbors sell their produce and meats through Idaho's Bounty.

Idaho's Bounty is an online food market and now bi-monthly food drop off in Buhl, Hailey and Ketchum. Idaho's Bounty aims to support local residents and farmers by providing a cost and environmentally effective way to buy and sell locally produced, fresh products. Though many of Idaho's Bounty producers are certified organic, sustainable, small non-certified organic farmers are also supported. The emphasis on local is evident within this small-scale project, where food quality and freshness, sustainability, stewardship, and community all come before a certification label. The research, experience and dedication of this community of farmers inspired us.

Meeting neighbors and friends of differing ages, backgrounds, and religious philosophies working toward a common goal was humbling and exciting. We met Glen, an 80-year old vegan Mennonite whose melons and sprouted bread were as plentiful as his asparagus plants. Glen, however, remarked that he was not a part of Idaho's Bounty since this organization received government sponsored grants. We peeked in a couple of neighboring greenhouses full of citrus trees, guavas, and figs. We also met some young people, including James' son, Ian who is working on biodynamic and permaculture principles in his garden as he ventures into growing amaranth and tobacco plants intermingled with peach and plum trees.

A beautiful field of yellow sunflowers of all sizes and shapes, all standing tall and proud against the bright blue sky was our last view of this place; a very appropriate view. The beauty, natural geography as well the personal and collective commitment make this place unique. Successes like Idaho's Bounty as well as the intention of building biodynamic center in the area are exciting for us. We feel hopeful to know that this place exists, to know that there is a large commitment behind it, and to know that this force will continue to grow.