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The Center |
Staff
Members Membership RSS Feeds CIFT Video Library News Archive Contact Us |
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The Center |
Staff
Members Membership RSS Feeds CIFT Video Library News Archive Contact Us |
Special Programs...
USDA-ARS Technology Transfer ProgramUSDA-ARS technology transfer provides a means for moving promising technologies discovered through federal and university research into the public arena where they are developed into marketable products. USDA-ARS accomplishes this by forming partnerships with universities and private sector businesses.
Food SafetyThis page covers food safety issues ranging from safety recalls and safe food handling practices to regulatory guidelines.
Local InitiativesCIFT Local Initiatives include the Farm to School Program, Local Food Manufacturers Program, Agritourism and the Farm to Chef Program.
NOCKThe Agricultural Incubator Foundation's Northwest Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) is a nonprofit kitchen facility designed to assist entrepreneurial efforts and expand current food-related businesses by providing access to a commercially licensed kithchen.
Northwest Ohio Green Products CenterThe Northwest Ohio Green Products Center is a collaborative effort among several partnering organizations to provide the resources, technical assistance and business expertise to regional entrepreneurs or established manufacturers who currently produce, or plan to produce, green or biobased products.
In the CIFT Spotlight...
The Fresh Sheet is back!!!The Farm to Chef Fresh Sheet is back for the 2008 growing season! Check out the locally grown produce available now. Check the Fresh Sheet weekly for updates.
CIFT 2006 Report to IndustryA report of CIFT's 2006 programs, projects and activities
HHS Food Facilities FDA Registration LetterThere has been some confusion regarding a form letter sent to food facilities by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Ohio MarketMakerAn interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Ohio, providing an important link between producers and consumers.
Other Resources...
Current FDA RecallsThe Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has jurisdiction over recalls involving food and pet & farm animal feed. This page is a list of the latest FDA food recall notices.
Current USDA RecallsThe Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspects and regulates meat, poultry products and eggs. This page is a list of the latest USDA food recall notices.
Privacy PolicyThe CIFT website privacy policy...
Projects
One of the most significant and far reaching CIFT initiatives of the past year is the establishment of a permanent program dedicated to the development of technology to produce energy from food and agricultural waste products. In cooperation with Dr. Floyd Schanbacher, Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, CIFT has constructed several pilot scale anaerobic digesters that are being used to evaluate different operating conditions for producing biogas, which contains up to 70% methane, from animal waste, vegetable processing waste, meat processing waste, crop residues, and other agricultural waste streams, either individually or in combinations.
The technologies and techniques developed and validated by the Center will position Ohio as a leader in addressing environmental issues that affect the rural-urban interface. In doing so, it will become known as a leader in developing technologies that will enable agriculture and population to co-exist and prosper in adjacent communities. At the same time, it will lower operating costs for agricultural based businesses by producing needed energy. As Dr. Schanbacher states, “The next generation of digester technology has the potential to help preserve Ohio’s agricultural heritage by removing environmental challenges and lowering energy costs, two of the most serious problems facing producers. The CIFT program has been the catalyst that has enabled us to put this program together.”
A number of other companies with Ohio connections are involved in the development of the technologies in the program. Rockwell Automation (Mayfield Heights) has supplied their expertise in control systems to the program, as well as control hardware. Chemineer, Inc. (Dayton) has provided material handling equipment for mixing and stirring the waste products. Finally, Leader Engineering Fabrication (Napoleon) provided design and fabrication expertise to the digesters. Each of these companies will benefit from the research results from the program as they apply to their own businesses, amplifying the economic benefit to Ohio.
Major Ohio food processors such as Frito-Lay, Campbell Soup Company, Cooper Foods, and Sandridge Foods have used the system or expressed interest in doing so. Several large Ohio agricultural producers have also participated in the program. The ultimate research objective is to demonstrate and promote the technical and economic feasibility of enhancing rural income through advanced processes of extracting energy from waste products.
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CIFT, 5555 Airport Highway,
Ste 100, Toledo, Ohio 43615-7320
419.534.3710 877.668.3472 (toll-free) 419.531.8412 (fax) © 1995 - 2008 EISC, Inc. |
Ken Lee and Dan McGrady Elected to EISC, Inc. Governing Board
Expansion of USDA BioPreferred Program & Program Coordinator Hired to Assist Local Initiatives
Please visit the News Archive for earlier press releases & news.