The event is expected to feature home heating oil and biodiesel leaders who will discuss a biodiesel blend with significant environmental and economic benefits and the role Minnesota soybean farmers can play in meeting the demand of this market.

Bioheat fuel is a heating blend of 5 percent biodiesel or less with ASTM D396. ASTM International, an organization that sets industry consensus for fuels, recently approved blends of 6 to 20 percent biodiesel for bioheat.

"The Midwest use of biodiesel is lower in the winter while the East Coast use of heating oil is much higher," said Tom Slunecka, CEO of the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. "Minnesota has the opportunity to grow our supply and better serve both markets."

Among the organizations that are attending the forum include the New York Oil Heating Association, Nazzaro Group, Petroleum Liaison, Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, Hart Home Comfort, Northeast Public Affairs, Ohio Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association and the National Oilheat Research Alliance.

The Biodiesel and Bioheat Forum is a free event and will be held at the Courtyard By Marriot in Mankato. To register for the event, click here