January 2026 Edition

Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board

118 Dundee Ave, Chester, MD 21619

lindsay.mdag@gmail.com

www.MarylandGrain.org

443-262-8491

2026 Scholarships & CDL Grants

Accepting Applications Until January 9th!

Chester, Maryland (December 22, 2025) - The Maryland Grain Producers are reminding students and future commercial drivers that applications are now open for the 2026 scholarships and CDL grants, with a submission deadline of January 9th.

Earlier this fall, the Maryland Grain Producers announced that a total of $24,000 will be awarded in 2026 to support the next generation of agriculturists. For the upcoming year, the program will award two CDL grants in the amount of $2,000 each, along with $20,000 in scholarships.

The Maryland Grain Producers Association will award three Honoree Scholarships for members studying agriculture in the amount of $3,000 each, two Membership Scholarships for members not studying agriculture at $2,000 each, and two Production Scholarships for non-members studying agriculture at $1,000 each. The remaining $5,000 will be distributed among the three scholarship categories at the discretion of the scholarship committee. All applications are reviewed by a panel of farmers, with identifying information removed to ensure a fair and unbiased selection process.

“Each year, applicants continue to showcase the bright future the next generation has to offer, and the Grain Producers are honored to support their continuing education and CDL training,” said Steve Ernst, President of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board.

Applications are currently open and must be submitted by January 9th. Those with questions are encouraged to contact Jennifer Gannon at jennifer.mdag@gmail.com. Additional information and application materials can be found through the Maryland Grain Producers’ website and affiliated links.

Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was established in 1991 to administer the Maryland Grain Checkoff Program. Grain producers in Maryland voted to institute this voluntary checkoff program, which is funded by participating growers donating 0.5% of each Maryland bushel sold. With this funding, the board can fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research. Learn more about the organization here.

Dear Lifelong Learners: 

Our friends at the Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications are offering the class, Community Leadership and Civil Advocacy (CLCA), in the spring 2026 semester. This class will be of interest to any of you seeking to build advocacy skills and network with local leaders. The class will be taught in an online format in the spring, making it easy for those outside of Shepherdstown to participate. I've included further information below!

What is it?  

It's a 15-week course taught through Shepherd University that equips participants with the skills to effectively advocate for changes they wish to see, primarily at the community-level. The course is primarily organized into the following topics: 

1.                      Analyzing your problem, solution and community 

2.                      Building and leading your team 

3.                      Building your case 

4.                      Building public support and awareness 

5.                      Lobbying decision-makers  

Participants apply what they're learning in class through their own advocacy project, which they select and work on throughout the semester. This project can be for an organization that they work or volunteer for, their business, or anything else about which they are passionate. 

Who teaches it? 

Stubblefield Institute Program Coordinator Graham Scott is the primary course facilitator, mentoring students, grading assignments, and organizing the course curriculum. However, the vast majority of classes are taught by professionals who have years of experience being community leaders and advocating for causes at the community, state, and federal level. 

Who is it for? 

The class is designed and available for both college students, as well as community leaders, nonprofit members, business owners, and anyone else looking to make a greater difference in their community. The class is available for academic credit through Shepherd or for a certificate of completion from the Stubblefield Institute. 

When and where is it? 

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.,

with sessions occurring over Zoom

January 13, 2026 – May 1, 2026 

How much does it cost?

$1,000 for the 15-week online course being offered beginning in January. A 20% discount is available for small businesses and nonprofits. 

How does someone sign-up for the course? 

If interested or have any further questions, please complete the following form: Community Leadership & Civil Advocacy Certificate Spring 2026 Interest Form – Fill out form!  

Photo (Right to Left): Antoine Thompson, Executive Director, GWRCCC, Jill Hamilton, President, Sustainable Energy Strategies, Inc. (GWRCCC Board Chair), Burl Haigwood, SESI/GWRCCC/Task Force Coordinator. Luis MacDonald, President, Autoflex Fleet, (GWRCCC Board Member).

Source:

December 16, 2025



The Maryland Biofuels Task Force, a diverse coalition of ~50 subject-matter experts representing 30+ agricultural, environmental, governmental, nonprofit, academic, and industry organizations, has released its comprehensive report assessing the challenges, costs, feasibility, and statewide benefits of expanding the use of higher biofuel blends across Maryland.

The Maryland Department of the Environment estimates that achieving state carbon reduction targets could generate $135 billion in societal benefits. The report concludes that adopting a Maryland Clean Fuel Standard would accelerate progress toward these goals while reducing energy costs for consumers and improving statewide economic and environmental resilience.

Key Findings

• Reduce 3.0 million metric tons of CO₂ annually—equal to removing nearly 1 million gasoline vehicles.
• Lower gasoline prices by $0.20–$0.40 per gallon, saving Maryland drivers $569M–$1B annually.
• Reduce diesel prices by 1–4%, lowering trucking, farm, and consumer costs by more than $100M.
• Improve air quality by reducing BTEX aromatics, PM2.5, and mobile-source air toxics—lowering health care costs and preventing an estimated 30 premature deaths annually.
• Preserve farmland and support agricultural income while slowing Maryland’s rapid rate of farmland loss.
• Strengthen Maryland’s resilience to fuel disruptions and foreign oil volatility through expanded domestic renewable fuel supplies

Antoine M. Thompson, Executive Director, Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) stated, “Maryland now has a clear roadmap showing that cleaner, cheaper, and healthier transportation options are available today—and biofuels are one of the fastest ways to get there. Higher blends like E15 and B20 can be deployed immediately, using existing vehicles and infrastructure, to lower emissions, strengthen the state’s economy, and improve the state's very vulnerable energy security.

"This report proves Maryland can meet its climate goals while lowering costs for families, farmers, small businesses, and truckers.”

Jill Hamilton, Chair, GWRCCC Board of Directors, and President of Sustainable Energy Strategies, Inc., stated, “The Task Force brought together an unprecedented coalition of agriculture, energy, environmental, and public-health leaders. What we found is unmistakable: biofuels are a powerful complement to electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean technologies, offering Marylanders affordable choices that reduce pollution right now. These findings give Maryland the opportunity to lead the nation in clean transportation.”

The Task Force report outlines how Maryland can benefit from the Maryland Commission on Climate Change’s recent recommendation for the state to adopt a clean fuel standard. A new Clean Fuel Standard will help meet the state’s Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA) requirement of a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2031 and fill a gap created by a rollback in federal environmental regulations for clean vehicles and trucks, as well as federal funding for EVs and EV infrastructure.

Source: American Soybean Association

December 10, 2025

A new economic analysis finds that EPA’s proposal to assign 50% of the Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits to imported biofuels and biofuels made from imported feedstocks compared to domestic would strengthen domestic soybean markets while preserving flexibility in biomass-based diesel sourcing. The study, funded by the United Soybean Board and conducted by World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services (WAEES), evaluated feedstock demand, farmer income, and commodity pricing under different final decisions for EPA’s proposed 2026–2027 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes.

The half-RIN proposal ensures that imported feedstocks remain available for biofuel producers but reduces policy incentives to substitute foreign oils for U.S. soybean oil. According to the study, the option still allows imports to be used but makes domestic feedstocks, including soybean oil, more competitive. EPA’s pending volume rule already projects record biomass-based diesel use, which would support domestic crushing and soybean oil utilization.

“Soybean farmers support strong biomass-based diesel markets,” said ASA President Caleb Ragland and Kentucky farmer. “This study confirms that when policy values domestic feedstocks, rural communities benefit. The half RIN proposal still gives biofuel producers flexibility, but it keeps American soybeans competitive and keeps more value here at home.”

Researchers modeled three scenarios and found that the half-RIN approach delivers the greatest economic benefit to U.S. soybean farmers across every major metric evaluated. Removing the 50% credit reduction, even if EPA later adjusts blending volumes, would reduce the value of U.S. soybeans, lower demand for domestic soybean oil, and increase reliance on imported used cooking oil and tallow as biofuel feedstocks.

If the RVO is finalized without the half RIN:

• Soy cash receipts would fall $2.1 billion for the 2026/27 crop and $2.0 billion for 2027/28.
• The value of soybean oil and meal would decline $4.8 billion in 2026/27 and $6.0 billion in 2027/28.
• Soybean oil used in biofuels would drop 2.4 billion pounds in 2026 and 3.3 billion pounds in 2027.
• Foreign imports of tallow and used cooking oil would increase by 2.3B pounds in 2026 and 2.4B pounds in 2027, displacing domestic soybean demand.

Even if EPA attempts a compromise:

• A scenario where EPA raises 2026–2027 biofuel volume obligations to offset removal of the half RIN still reduces soy farmer income by $800 million in 2026/27 and $500 million in 2027/28.
• Soybean oil used in biofuels would still fall by 600 million pounds in 2026 and 200 million pounds in 2027.
• Imports of used cooking oil and tallow would still surge, increasing by 2.8B pounds in 2026 and 3.1B pounds in 2027.

The study shows the half-RIN proposal is the most advantageous option for U.S. soybean farmers, maximizing domestic feedstock use while maintaining market flexibility. Imported materials remain part of the mix in every case, but the half credit better aligns RIN generation with domestic availability and supports farm income, crushing capacity, and rural economic growth.

The full report, Implications for Biofuels and Feedstock Demand of the Granting of Full or Half RIN Credits on Imports, is available upon request.

December 9, 2025, Lunch and Learn Recap

Click here to view all the photos.

GWRCCC Fleet Coaching

GWRCCC is offering 30 minutes of coaching for a limited number of fleets each month. Do you need to train your workforce on emission reducing practices or transitioning to a clean energy fleet? We can help you!

For more information, contact the GWRCCC office at (202) 671-1580.

DEUSA2 Fleet Survey

2-Minute Fleet Survey

Are you associated with fleets? Please fill this short 2-minute survey and get a chance to enter a raffle (includes EV chargers!) during our Holiday party on December 2. Your insights will greatly help us identify issues faced by you and advocate with policymakers.

Email ajay@gwrccc.org once you've fill it in or if you have any queries.

2026 Clean Fuels Conference

January 19-22, 2026

The Clean Fuels Conference is the ONE must-attend event for biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel professionals. On average, about 800 VIPs from the industry attend the conference. It’s an educational and networking business meeting for the leading renewable fuels that power heavy-duty land, sea and sky machines. Clean fuels producers and marketers, distributors, feedstock providers, fleet managers, ESG officers and media all attend.



For more information, click here.

2026 ACT Expo for 2026

May 4-7, 2026

For more information, click here.

Through a Request for Applications, DOEE seeks eligible entities to select and replace class 4+ medium- or heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles with zero-emission vehicle equivalents. Vehicles must be registered in the District or spend at least sixty percent (60%) of the time in the District to be eligible for replacement. The number and amount of grants will vary depending on the Department’s review of the applications. The amount available for the project is $2.4 million. The deadline for application submissions is February 9, 2026. Learn more here.

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) manages grants, loans, rebates, and tax incentives designed to help attain Maryland's goals in energy use reduction, renewable energy promotion, climate action, and the creation of green jobs. Through the programs below, the agency helps Maryland residents, businesses, non-profits, and local governments implement energy efficiency upgrades and install renewable energy systems. View an alphabetical list of all of our programs here.

Use the link provided below to view DOEE's “open” grants, funding opportunities, and requests for applications and proposals (RFAs & RFPs) to fund various environmental projects. They appear with the most recent announced RFAs at the top. To view the list, click here.

For those items that are closed, please see the archives page.

Becoming a GWRCCC Member has it’s perks!

For more information, go to the link below.

Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

202-671-1580 | Info@GWRCCC.org | GWRCCC.org

Click here for membership information.

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