Non-food crops will be on the menu at a special farmers' breakfast event at Alnwick Gardens next week (Thursday, 1 March). Hosted by the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC), in York, the event aims to provide information and networking opportunities to farmers, rural businesses and the general public. Exhibitors from across the non-food crops sector will attend, showcasing their renewable products and technologies and delegates will be able to access a host of information on the crops that underpin the expanding renewables sector.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Non-food crops will be on the menu at a special farmers' breakfast event at Alnwick Gardens next week ( Thursday, 1 March ). Hosted by the National Non-Food Crops Centre ( NNFCC ), in York, the event aims to provide information and networking opportunities to farmers, rural businesses and the general public.
Exhibitors from across the non-food crops sector will attend, showcasing their renewable products and technologies and delegates will be able to access a host of information on the crops that underpin the expanding renewables sector.
Exhibitors on the day will include Ecotec Resources Ltd, a supplier of small biodiesel reactors and training in biodiesel manufacture; Renewable Energy Growers, a not-for-profit organisation that represents and advises farmers who grow short rotation coppice and other energy crops and North East Biofuels, a cluster of companies involved in producing and distributing biodiesel and bioethanol made from non-food crops.
Non-food crops provide the raw materials for renewable technologies, which include biofuels, renewable plastics and packaging, sustainable construction materials, renewable chemicals and plant-derived pharmaceutical/cosmetic products. Renewable materials form a large part of the western world's necessary and intensifying response to climate change.
Dr Alison Hamer, Communications and Information Manager at the NNFCC, said:
"There is a huge variety of non-food crops that can be grown by farmers in the UK. They provide an opportunity for farmers to diversify their businesses and increase their profits. Many non-food crops command higher farm-gate prices than traditional food crops and some require relatively small areas of land to provide a significant income so both small and large farms can benefit from supplying the renewables sector with raw materials.
"NNFCC is the UK's National Centre for non-food crops, renewable materials and technologies. We provide information and expertise, working to inform farmers, the general public and industry of opportunities in the renewables sector. From educational events to working through the complexities of supply chains, NNFCC provides a wide range of services to a variety of audiences.
"The Alnwick Garden is itself an outstanding example of innovative and sustainable rural development and provides a perfect setting for the event, while the breakfast served will also be made from locally-sourced ingredients.
"The morning will provide an excellent opportunity for members of industry and the farming community to strengthen ties within the renewables sector in the region. Members of the public will leave better able to choose renewable products when shopping and be more aware of the role of renewables in reducing carbon emissions, to the benefit of the environment, the local economy and us all."
Notes to editors
The NNFCC is the UK's single independent authority on renewable materials and technologies. NNFCC stands for National Non-Food Crops Centre: most renewable technologies are based on plants grown as non-food crops. The company was established in 2003. Our funding comes from Defra, the DTI's Bioscience for Business Knowledge Transfer Network, industrial sponsors and subscribers. Our subscribers are interested parties from academia, industry, agriculture and government. The range of potential uses of non-food crops is enormous, from renewable biofuels to buildings made out of plant fibres. Our aim is to facilitate the uptake of renewable technologies at all levels in the UK. We fulfil this aim by providing independent, comprehensive information, technology transfer services, and delivering effective communications.
Company Information -Based at York Science Park -Our core team of Technology Transfer Managers works with farmers, industry, academia and government to build supply chains for renewable non-food crop products -Our communications team provides a comprehensive information resource: online and print publications, helpdesk and website, events -Thematic Working Groups bring together stakeholders to build effective supply chains: -Supply chains bring renewable technologies to the market place
Non-Food Crop Facts -One football pitch of oilseed rape can produce enough biodiesel to drive 10,000 miles -By 2010, all European road transport fuel will contain at least 5% biofuels -A-Maize-ing! One football pitch of maize can produce 400,000 plastic drinking cups -Supermarket carrier bags would be inseparable without extracts from Crambe ( Abyssinian mustard ), which help them to slip apart -Large retailers are packaging food using compostable plastics made from maize or sugar cane: these can be composted in a garden compost heap and break down quicker than a banana skin -Stinging nettles can be used to make clothes: they are used in Italian designer clothing -Plants are a rich source of medicinal drugs: over 60% of all cancer chemotherapy drugs are derived from plants -The word 'canvas' is derived from 'cannabis', and was once woven from hemp fibres. Today, Cannabis sativa plants can be grown which contain extremely low levels of the drug THC. These plants are used for the following: - Textiles: the first pair of Levi's was made from hemp - Building: hemp-crete is a concrete substitute made from hemp fibres and lime, and has superior insulating properties compared with brick masonry - Biocomposites: used to make door panels for cars such as BMWs and Mercedes - Animal bedding: used in the Queen's stables, Hemcore horse bedding was awarded a royal warrant in 2002 - Nutrition: hemp seed oil is a healthy food oil and the crushed seed can be used for animal feed
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