Jasper County farmer wins $500 of biodiesel-blended fuel

JOHNSTON — Diane Gannon, a family farmer from Jasper County, is one of eight winners in a 2018 biodiesel giveaway at the Farm Progress Show.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association partnered with the Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Biodiesel Board during the 2018 Farm Progress Show to offer Iowa farmers eight chances to win $500 worth of biodiesel-blended fuel. Farmers from across the state entered to win during the three-day event in Boone.

“As Iowa farmers, we are proud to supply food and fuel to keep America running, including biodiesel,” Gannon said. “We are excited to have won this contest but using biodiesel should be a no-brainer for Iowa farmers. To support biodiesel is to support Iowa agriculture.”

Biodiesel is commonly made from soybean oil, animal fat, corn oil, and used cooking oil. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent, adds 63 cents to each bushel of Iowa soybeans, and increases the value of Iowa livestock.

Gannon will be using biodiesel from Key Coop in Newton, just like the fuel produced in her local community by Renewable Energy Group’s Newton biorefinery.

“REG proudly produces a cleaner, greener fuel that supports Iowa’s agriculture economy,” said Troy Shoen, senior marketing manager for REG. “We hope more Iowa farmers will follow Gannon’s lead and ask their fuel suppliers for a biodiesel blend the next time they order fuel.”