The spring agricultural planting season is in full swing as those associated with the industry scramble to take care of the business of setting the stage for a productive crop season.

Even so, an evening overview of your to-do list may bring to light associated details that need attending to before moving on to the next task to the benefit of the industry. This was my situation as I realized some loose ends could be attended to within the lines of this column.

Fortunately, I remembered a recognition award forwarded to me by the Idaho State Grain Producers this past winter. The award provided was also formally recognized in an agenda session of the Nez Perce County Commissioners and was published in the Lewiston Tribune in a news story written by reporter Sandra Lee.

For these efforts, I express appreciation to the Tribune, commissioners and the State Grain Producers Association.

Moreover, relative to this recognition, I would specifically express appreciation to my predecessor and friend, former University of Idaho/Nez Perce County Extension educator R. Loren Kambitsch, for his facilitation efforts back in 1956. That's when he worked with a group of innovative growers including former county commissioner Otto Brammer, Thor Gilge, Chuck Gabby, Lloyd Wyatt, Bob Wittman, George Dau, G.A. Misner and Hugh Parks that formed the nucleus of what later became the Idaho State Grain Producers (according to an article published in the Tribune of March 18, 1956).

The ingenuity and efforts of Mr. Kambitch, including his ability to collaborate and facilitate with industry innovators, were reflected throughout his illustrious career and have continued to provide significant positive impact to my career and the outcomes of UI/Nez Perce County Extension education programming.

Also, I salute former UI/Nez Perce County Extension educator and friend, the late Jay Ney, for his support and sharing the proper use of Cooperative Extension methods and the numerous individuals in agricultural industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and land grant universities that contributed their part over time.

Indeed, the efforts required to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award does not stand alone and I appreciate all that have worked and continue to work with UI/Nez Perce County Extension and UI County Extension throughout the state to achieve successful program outcomes.

On a related topic, six companies, including a National Association of Wheat Grower Foundation Development Committee member, received word last month they could receive up to a total of $380 million from the Department of Energy to help build commercial cellusosic ethanol facilities.

Indeed, if the funds mentioned are accessed, the grants would combine with that of industry's cost share to total more than $1.2 billion of investment in six biorefineries. According to the National Association of Wheat Growers, "When fully operational these biorefineries would produce more than 130 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year. Cellulosic ethanol is an alternative fuel made from a wide array of feed-stocks, including agricultural wastes like wheat straw. Though it requires a more complex refining process, cellulosic ethanol contains more net energy and results in lower greenhouse emissions than traditional corn-based ethanol.

The National Association of Wheat Growers actively supports the developments of cullusosic ethanol because companies, including many of those given funding by the Department of Energy, include wheat straw as one of their feedstocks-of-choice."

Of significance, the National Association of Wheat Growers Board of Directors indicate they have recently added the representation of biomass growers to the organizations mandate.

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Smith is a UI/Nez Perce County extension professor and a certified professional agronomist. He may be contacted at lsmith@uidaho.edu.