Everett-area farmer sowing sunflower seeds for biofuel

Published 11:09 pm Friday, September 19, 2008

EVERETT — If Joe Heineck’s field is an indication of what growing biofuel will look like, the future looks pretty.

A half-acre of his large farm along Sunnyside Boulevard is full of sunflower blooms in a test to see how this particular variety grows in the Northwest. If all goes well, they’ll be ready for harvesting next month, Heineck said.

The sunflower-growing plot on his farm actually is being leased to Heritage Farm Cooperative. Ion Manea, founder of the cooperative and an associated company, Auburn-based Flower Power USA, has worked with a number of farms in recent years to produce what he calls Agrofuel — pure plant oil.

“Our goal is to make this fuel on the farm and use it on the farm,” said Manea, who said the oil can power tractors.

Manea got interested in biofuel several years ago, and went to Germany to see experiments there with growing crops that could be converted to pure fuel. Three years ago, he tested crops in Skagit County to see whether such plants could be grown organically, working with farmers who wanted an alternative to growing canola.

Now, with the help of U.S. Department of Agriculture grants, Heritage Farm Cooperative has such crops being grown in several spots around the state. Heineck’s farm is the first such test in Snohomish County, however.

The sunflower variety planted in his field has a relatively short growing season, so Manea is interested to see whether this climate yields the time and heat needed for the flowers to fully produce their oil. So far, the crop in Heineck’s field looks promising, Manea said.

Sometime next month, the flowers will be harvested and their seeds will be crushed to produce Agrofuel.

In the meantime, the colorful field has attracted passersby, Heineck said, adding that some have stopped to take photos of the bright scene.

Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.