Farmer leads the way in 'locally grown' renewable energy

California Farm Bureau Federation
Issue Date: April 1, 2009
By Christine SouzaAssistant Editor

Winters grower Russ Lester stands by his energy biomass power system that converts walnut shells into heat and power and produces 50 kilowatts of electricity.

There's been much interest in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento about making the nation more energy-independent by investing in alternative and renewable energy. Fourth-generation farmer Russ Lester represents one push in that direction, as he finds a variety of resourceful ways to fulfill his goal of becoming energy self-sufficient by 2012 at his operation in Winters.

"California has set a goal of producing 33 percent of its renewable energy by the year 2020. I want to see it happen and believe it is possible much sooner than later," Lester said. "I've been dreaming about doing this for quite some time."

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