For
the first time, farmers who plant Camelina may be able to get
reimbursed for their seed costs. Some 32 counties in northern and
eastern Montana are covered by Montana's Agro Energy Plan, (WIRED), and
are eligible for reimbursement.
The program covers Camelina
costs of up to a $1.30 per pound and up to 80 acres, at seeding rates
of three to five pounds per acre.
Montana Department of Agriculture Director Ron De Yong says they're looking to help the growing agricultural sector.
"We'd
like to get enough Camelina grown to actually get this industry
started. So, if you've never raised Camelina before it's pretty hard to
think about raising it when you have all these good options right now
which is unusual for farmers to have."
De Yong says that he
hopes the project will encourage farmers to gain experience planting
the oilseed crop which can be used for the production of bio-diesel.
