Missouri Soybean Farmers Offer Matching Funds for Biodiesel Infrastructure Development

Jul 02, 2020

Applicants may receive up to 25 percent of the required cash match for federal funding.

Missouri soybean farmers are investing in the future for soy in Missouri through biodiesel with a new infrastructure grant program. A new commitment from the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and Missouri Soybean Association provides up to $200,000 for businesses, cooperatives and other entities looking to build new or retrofit existing biodiesel infrastructure, from blending and distribution to fleet and retail locations.

“Growing demand for soy is central to our strategic plan for returning value to Missouri soybean farmers, and biodiesel represents a significant opportunity in the marketplace,” said Robert Alpers, a central Missouri farmer and chairman of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. “Missouri is a top state for biodiesel production, and we’re glad to be taking a step forward to grow the infrastructure to distribute that clean, local, renewable fuel here at home. Biodiesel blends are approved by all the original engine manufacturers, and this is a great opportunity to invest in Missouri businesses and rural communities, as well as in cleaner air across the state.”

The grant program, jointly funded by the Missouri Soybean Association and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, will provide up to 25 percent of the required cash match for existing biodiesel infrastructure programs at the state and federal levels. Participants in both the USDA and MASBDA programs are eligible for consideration for funding from Missouri’s soybean organizations. Like the MASBDA program, Missouri Soybeans’ funding is limited to a maximum of $200,000 per entity. Application information is available online at mosoy.org.

Earlier this year, USDA released information on the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), providing $14 million for biodiesel infrastructure projects. HBIIP grants may support up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs for biodiesel distribution facilities, terminal operations, and fleet facilities. The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) has similarly released a statewide Biofuels Infrastructure Program (BIP), allowing applicants to partner with entities receiving funding through HBIIP. Through the program, MASBDA may provide up to 25 percent of the required cash match for USDA HBIIP, not to exceed $200,000 per entity.

Increasing biodiesel demand and the infrastructure to support that growth has been a priority for the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and the Missouri Soybean Association for several years. Missouri produces roughly 200 million gallons of the renewable fuel each year, making it the second-ranked state for biodiesel production. According to the National Biodiesel Board, Missouri has fewer than 20 retail locations offering the fuel.

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That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.