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By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON
Rappahaaaoek News Staff Writer Alcohol fuels may not be the answer to reducing the country’s dependence on foreign oil imports but alcohol can be a source of independence to Virginia farmers who can produce enough for their own use. This optimistic appraisal came from Loudoun farmer Johnny Rocca who has successfully operated his own solar-powered still to produce alcohol fuel for his Jeep, truck, and other nondiesel farm machinery. Destilling alchol “will keep you from being priced out of farming by the increased cost of fuel,’’ Rocca told the audience at an alcohol production seminar held at Graves Mountain Lodge last week.
The seminar, organized by area VPI extension agents, was the first of its kind in the state. Earl W. Smith, head of the Governor’s Task Force on Alcohol Production, an W. Warren Green, transportation and marketing officer from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and member of the task force were featured speakers.
In explaining why the seminar was arranged, Rappahannock extension agent Rap Owings said he’s received numerous calls from folks who wanted to turn their 25-acre parcels into fuel production units. Most of those interested had no idea of the problems or the expense involved in alcohol production, Owings said.
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