Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke at Arizona State University on Thursday, describing the sustainability efforts between renewable energy and its relationship to agriculture.
Vilsack noted efforts in western forests to promote biofuel production.
“USDA is providing financial assistance to help remove some of the diseased wood that we have as a result of changing climates and pine bark beetle infestation, removing some of those hazardous fuels that have accumulated over time, and using those resources for conversion into fuels and energy," he said.
Vilsack also pointed out initiatives of improving the use of fertilizer on crops, utilizing livestock wastes as energy and reducing food waste.
It is estimated that a third of crops grown are wasted, making it the largest components of landfills and a major source of methane, a greenhouse gas.
