05/28/2009 Wisconsin Workshops Announced

I.I.E.A., WISCONSIN FARMERS UNION AND THE WISCONSIN STATE OFFICE OF ENERGY INDEPENDENCE SPONSOR DAVID BLUME'S RURAL AND URBAN ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION WORKSHOPS

Permaculture and Alcohol Fuel Production Provide Fast-track for Development of Sustainable Food, Biofuel and Related By-Product Businesses

Madison, WI. May 28, 2009. – The International Institute for Ecological Agriculture (IIEA) announced today that it is working with the Wisconsin Farmers Union and the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence along with agencies and groups across the region to present its next series of educational workshop programs. The two-day Intensive workshops, (June 27 and 28 in Osseo, WI and July 6 and 7 in Madison, WI) promote rural and urban economic revitalization and non-exportable job creation through the optimized production of food and fuel source crops and related by-products.

The workshops will be led by David Blume, renowned Permaculture and Biofuels expert and author of Alcohol Can Be A Gas. Mr. Blume, is the recent author recipient of the American Corn Growers Association’s Truth in Agricultural Journalism award, and will teach attendees how they can:

• Earn federal and state renewable energy tax incentives that can offset as much as 80% of the startup costs for a small-scale alcohol fuel business.

• Beat the fuel and food price increases predicted for 2009.

• Produce clean alcohol fuel for less than a dollar per gallon from waste, toxic and spoiled food, common weeds, as well as high-return crops.

“Because of our current economic climate, farmers everywhere are struggling,” said Sue Beitlich, President of the Wisconsin Farmers Union. “At WFU we are working diligently to help provide our members and community with the knowledge and means to improve our local and regional economic outlook. David Blume’s workshop provides proven systems based on agriculture science that will enhance and optimize food and fuel source crop production. That knowledge can help Wisconsin farmers build new businesses and become leaders in the sustainable energy movement.”

The two day workshops will be held Saturday and Sunday June 27 and 28 at the Osseo-Fairchild High School in Osseo WI and Monday and Tuesday July 6 and 7 at the Madison Area Technical College, (Truax Campus) in Madison WI. The open-to-the-public programs present an ideal launch pad for green business entrepreneurs, activists, farmers, and people everywhere who are interested in developing their own energy independence and taking control of their economic future. For more information on the workshop program and schedule please visit http://www.alcoholcanbeagas.com/store/alcohol_workshops

“People attending the David Blume workshops will gain a comprehensive understanding of alcohol fuel production and the related byproduct opportunities it creates,” said Maria Redmond Biofuels Sector Specialist, Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence. “David is one of the leading advocates for sustainable energy independence and he provides a comprehensive and practical look at what we can do today to start a ‘green’ energy business from resources that are available here in Wisconsin.”

Organizations including the Wisconsin Farmers Union, the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence, American Corn Growers Association and the Center for Sustainable Communities are supporting Blume’s workshops as the answer to the economic depression that is stifling virtually every industry and market in America today.

Blume’s Alcohol Can Be a Gas! has ranked as Amazon.com’s top-selling automotive and sustainable agriculture book for the last 8 months and serves as the course book for the coming “Two Days to Energy Independence” workshop.

For more information about Mr. Blume, IIEA, or coming workshops, contact Tom Harvey theCommunications • (530) 257-3533 • thcommunications@gmail.com, or visit www.permaculture.com.