Woody Biomass Projects Receive Grants from USDA

03/10/2008- Farm Futures

On Friday, USDA awarded $4.1 million to 17 small businesses and groups for the development of new products and renewable energy from woody biomass from national forests.

"The renewable use of shrubs and underbrush removes unhealthy overgrowth in our National Forests and creates local opportunity for new products and energy sources," says Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer.

The National Forest Service's State and Private Forestry Technology Marketing Unit at the New Products Lab in Madison , Wis. will oversee the grant program. The businesses or groups receiving the grants must provide at least 20% of the cost of the projects.