Monday, November 10, 2008

Robert Rodriguez

Howe is among a handful of farmers partnering with Nevada-based Emerald Energy to grow a hybrid tree called the MegaFlora. The tree, a cross between the hardwood Black Locust and the deep-rooted Paulownia, can grow on marginal land, requires less water than most commercial crops and can be used as a source for biofuel production. Howe's greenhouses are growing hundreds of saplings, many of them just a few inches tall, that will be planted this spring on 100 acres near his ranch office on Highway 41. The tree is estimated to grow up to 50 feet in three years. "We really felt this is something worth trying. And if it fails, it fails, but at least we can say we tried," Howe said. "But if it works, we could really be on to something." Howe was approached by the creator of the hybrid tree, Ray Allen, a botanist and CEO of Emerald Energy, several months ago and agreed to be part of the project. Trees also have been planted near Kettleman Hills and by west-side farmers John Diener and Bill Jones. Diener has 100 trees growing in marginal soil in west Fresno County, and Jones about 400. Like Howe, the two west-side farmers also are curious about the tree's ability to grow in some of the region's worst farmland. "We are always looking for opportunities to do something with that ground," Diener said. "And right now, the trees are just 6 to 18 inches tall, so we will see how they do." Jones, founder of Sacramento-based Pacific Ethanol, which has a plant in Madera County, said he and other ethanol producers are looking for renewable and affordable sources to make biofuel. "If it has dual uses and can be grown in highly saline water conditions, then it is worth looking at," Jones said. Allen, who has been evaluating the tree and its properties for years, said the tree has multiple uses. It's high sugar content makes it a potential source for biofuel production. Gary Banuelos, a plant and soil scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Research Service in Parlier, said he is slightly skeptical of the tree's ability to survive the west side's poor soil and water conditions. "A tree with an aggressive root system will tap into the water table where the levels of salt and boron will be very high," Banuelos said. "So if the irrigation water does not knock them out, the water table could prevent them from growing." Despite the tree's challenges, Allen already has attracted the attention of Kansas farmers, a documentary filmmaker and investors, including Titan Global Industries, a Texas company with interests in telecommunications, electronics and energy resources. Michael D' Onofrio, vice president of mergers and acquisitions for Titan, visited Howe's ranch earlier this week as part of a tour sponsored by the Farming Clean Energy Conference in Tulare. D' Onofrio said his company is interested in the tree for biofuel. One of Titan's divisions, Titan Global Energy, is focused on the production and distribution of environmentally friendly and sustainable sources of renewable fuels. While Allen and the MegaFlora tree may not be widely known, that could soon change. He is included in the upcoming documentary "Fuel," which looks at the oil industry and energy alternatives such as solar, wind and biofuels. The film has received several awards including the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. "We have been quietly going about our business," Allen said. "But it is time to expand this." © 2008 The Fresno Bee, Calif. www.checkbiotech.org web.team@checkbiotech.org