Field of Camelina feeds biofuel market.

Seattle-based Targeted Growth Inc. and Houston-based Green Earth fuels recently announced plans to form Sustainable Oils Inc., a joint venture to convert Camelina, an oil seed crop, to biodiesel.

Sustainable Oils Inc. is aiming to produce 100 million gallons of Camelina-based biodiesel by 2010. The company says it plans to grow most of the feedstock in Montana.

“We think this will be a model for the development and use of other biofuel-specific crops,” says Tom Todaro, CEO of Targeted Growth. “We believe there is a tremendous opportunity to use bioscience to create U.S.-grown feedstocks that don’t compete with food crops.”

A distant relative of Canola, Camelina can grow in soil that would otherwise be considered agriculturally marginal with minimal water and fertilizer. Farmers can rotate it with traditional crops and use existing equipment for harvesting.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Montana - it represents a combining of two major thrusts of economic growth outside the boot," says Governor Brian Schweitzer. "It is energy related and it is value-added agriculture. Having this sort of major commitment is great news."

Green Earth Fuels opened one of the country’s largest biodiesel production facilities in Houston in November. Targeted Growth has been experimenting with Camelina for the past three years in greenhouse and field trials.