Re: Co-op vision - some ideas

Leo, and Susan,
I just got on the mailing list and I'm way excited about it. My freind and I
are starting up a appleseed processor ( we are small time now), we've
secured ALOT of WVO. We also have all of the tools to process bio-diesel, I
just need to get some Lye and methanol. I've found a race team that sells
methanol by the gallon (we'lll only need a few gallons for our first batch,)
I can get some lye from farmer supply co.?? is this correct.?
BUT----....... you said in your e-mail below that you guys sell lye and
methanol??? Is this true? If so can I buy some?? and I'm interested in
becoming a member or helping out on a few of my days off ( I have every
sun-tues off and every other wed off) so I can take advantage of selling out
bio or at least having it tested for quality.... I really would like to come
see your facility and see what I can do to help out.... and whats
involved..... thanks for you time
Jesse Schulz
503-957-4445


On 10/13/07, Leo Frishberg / Susan Zeidler <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>   gobiodieselers!
>   It's a toss-up whether Sue and I can make it to the meeting this
>   afternoon - but we've been giving a lot of deep thought to how the
>   co-op can move forward with the energy it's generated these past few
>   years.  I have summarized our thoughts below and we would be willing
>   to discuss any and all of these with whomever. (I have also asked Greg
>   to make a couple of copies and have them at the meeting in the event
>   we can't make it).
>   Executive Summary
>   In this vision of the future, gobiodiesel coop establishes a broader
>   presence in the supply chain of biodiesel through establishing a
>   network of independent home-brewers who take advantage of the coop's
>   buying, distribution and waste management capabilities.
>   gobioidiesel takes on the following really hard problems:
>     * establishes a fair, auditable and ASTM certified testing process
>       for all of its homebrewer members
>     * establishes bulk-buying and distribution for all biodiesel raw
>       materials, including WVO, lye, methanol, etc.
>     * establishes an environmentally sustainable process for collecting
>       and dispensing of homebrewer waste products
>     * establishes an web-based coop members-only buying/selling "market"
>       to match homebrewers with member buyers
>
>   In addition to the above, gobiodiesel provides advantages to its
>   members by:
>     * providing at-cost (perhaps negotiates a deal on) appleseed
>       processors to all interested homebrewers
>     * assuring a quality-of-product that matches or exceeds ASTM
>       standards
>
>   gobiodiesel continues to expand its long-standing and successful
>   efforts at:
>     * collecting WVO, establishing long-term contracts, where possible
>       with WVO "producers"
>     * education, continuing to promote biodiesel with the general public
>       and policy-makers and potential sponsors
>
>   In return, homebrewer coop members agree to be "certified" by
>     * demonstrating competency in processing safety, either by
>       completing a coop training course or demonstration
>     * agreeing to have their product tested by coop testing agents
>     * provide a portion of their brew for coop member purchase, amount
>       and pricing to be determined, but likely cost-based
>
>   In addition to producing, opportunities for membership include:
>     * collection - continuing the great tradition gobiodiesel has
>       established
>     * testing - establishing Academic or for-profit partners willing to
>       donate testing lab time and resources to coop tests in exchange of
>       sponsorship, goodwill and/or student educational opportunities
>     * testing - becoming a test "agent" - participating in an auditable
>       test-trail from producer to lab to
>     * transport - raw materials, finished product, etc. - moving product
>       in one form or another around the region may be needed depending
>       on the model
>     * training - new producers, test agents
>     * policy and education - speaking opportunities, engaging new
>       partners
>     * into the coop's coffers for non-producing volunteer members. To
>       improve efficiencies transactions are handled through a robust
>       web-based process.
>
>   Please feel free to discuss this with Sue and me in the event we are
>   unable to attend. We are very excited about the prospects for the coop
>   leading the charge to creating for biodiesl what "Oregon-tilth"
>   standards did for organic, sustainable farming.
>   Leo Frishberg
>   Sue Zeidler
>
>   slam.
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>