Summer Creek Farm Moves to BioDiesel

- Rick Hood

________________________________________________________

Click here for a printer friendly version (Size: 21 KB)

September 10, 2006.  Summer Creek Farm, an organic farm located north of Thurmont in the Upper Monocacy watershed recently announced the conversion of all off road diesel farm equipment to BioDiesel, an alternative fuel using conventional petroleum and soy based fuel as a mixture.   “We believe there is more to being an environmentally advanced farm than just being organic. We are also striving to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”   All farm equipment that uses more than 25hp has fuel-efficient diesel engines.   Rick has converted them to run on B5 BioDiesel.  Future plans include moving farm equipment engines to use B20 BioDiesel and converting transport trucks that are used off farm to either B5 or E85 alternative fuels.

Photo courtesy of the Summer Creek Farm website

The Farm is creative in its use of petroleum alternatives in other ways.  For example,

• 95% of farm heat requirements are generated from Biomass sources.

• photovoltaic solar panels are used for some minor applications

• evaluation of other alternative energy sources for use on the farm is continuing.

Photo courtesy of the Summer Creek Farm website

Visit the Summer Creek Farm website for more information.

Photo courtesy of the Summer Creek Farms website

Rick Hood started Summer Creek Farm in 1992 after operating a small organic market garden since 1984. Rick' family came from agricultural backgrounds and always had a desire to be close to the land. Rick has been active in the agricultural community for many years. He has served as president of the MOFFA (Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association), MCOGC (Maryland Certified Organic Growers Cooperative), Frederick Farmers Markets. He serves on the board of the Frederick County Agricultural Business Council (ABC) and was elected to the board of Future Harvest CASA 2006.  In 2004 Rick was awarded a Honorable Mention in the USDA's Patrick Madden Award, A program to recognize leaders in Sustainable Agriculture. In 2004 Rick graduated from Leadership Frederick County.  Rick is a certified Operator Nutrient Management Planner.