By: Shannon Waldon
Richard Culler of Clay City Feed and Grain has been working closely with Senator John Waterman, State Representative Vern
Tincher, Sate agencies and several local colleges to bring a new facility to the area.
The Eel River Soybean Diesel Processing Facility will be located in one of four counties, Clay, Sullivan,
Vigo, or Green and will bring approximately twenty five jobs to the area. Culler said that once they start manufacturing, that figure will double. They are still looking at sites.
Betty Culler of Clay City Feed and Grain said, "We have done a lot of research and studies on the idea, looking at processing, marketing of oil products,
by-products, and the use of extrusion and expulsion." This process will allow for a higher quality product in crude oil, better bean meal for animal feed and other by-products, important to the total operation of the facility.
Bio-diesel is an oil product from soybeans, a
commodity raised by local farmers. This product when blended with diesel
in a B-2 blend would make better use of the grain raised locally. Farmers
would get better performance with tractors, pick-ups, and semi's which in
turn would help the air quality.
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"In other words," said Betty,
"using our home grain would make us less dependant on foreign
products, give us cleaner air, better marketing for our products, and we
would have control of how, when and where our products are used. This is the desire of the American Dream."
The Cullers have been working closely with the Office of the Commission of Agriculture (OCA), State Government Officials, USDA Rural Development, and Purdue University with their TAP assistance program and St. Mary of the Woods.
Richard Culler said, "The operating engineer's union out of Terre Haute is very supportive of the project and are willing to assist in construction down the road or in future endeavors. Two students are doing
research on soybean oil and by-products from soybeans." Culler said they have also been in contact with Rose Hulman Ventures and they are also supportive and may have some
involvement in the future.
Culler
said they are looking for investors, growers, farmers, and interested
people to join them in their efforts. An official membership drive will be conducted
during the first three weeks of January, 2003, at various sites throughout
the four county area.
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Meetings will be held in Clay, Sullivan, Vigo, and
Greene Counties.They received a grant in late summer from OCA and will be
in contact with the USDA in November to start looking at more grants to
help with the marketing study.
Purdue University will complete a technical model of the facility and it
will be available during the meetings and also at the Clay City Feed and
Grain Elevator in mid December. The model will show profit potential and
the size of the facility.
Upcoming meeting dates for the facility will be published in future
editions of The News during the month of November.
Sample products that may be produced at the facility will be available
during the Basket Bingo at the orange building in Goshorn Park on
Saturday, November 9. These items include hand lotions, soaps, candles,
and animal feed.
Culler said he appreciates and is thankful for the help and support he has
received from the various politicians, universities, and agencies. For
more information about the facility or to become involved, call
1-812-939-2423.
Article submitted by "THE NEWS"
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