FEATURES

Investor's Manual
New investment models could help reverse decline
of local ownership of biofuel plants
By David Chesnick

Tapping farm equity key to greater local ownership
By David Chesnick

Ownership Manual
Study assesses four primary ownership models for biofuels
By Anthony Crooks

Getting Connected
Study sees USDA role in linking electricity from alternate energy sources to grid
By Alan Borst

Overcoming constraints to growth in biofuels industry
By Donald Frederick

Using the "extra-value index' to measure ag
co-op performance
By Carolyn Liebrand

Bison Co-op helping Native Americans develop
production, marketing strategy
By Dan Schofer

Valuing Your Co-op
Meeting weighs value of co-op in fast-changing business climate
By Lynn Pitman

DEPARTMENT

COMMENTARY
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
CO-OP DEVELOPMENT ACTION
VALUE-ADDED CORNER
MANAGEMENT TIP
UTILITY CO-OP CONNECTION
NEWSLINE
PAGE FROM THE PAST

On the cover:
Summaries of four studies that examine important strategic
choices facing the renewable energy industry are presented
in a special section of this issue. The studies were
commissioned by USDA Rural Development.