The "SEEDGUYS" of Kingsville, Mo., have come up with a new project to help answer the energy problem our nation faces: Missouri Bioenergy.
Steve Flick, CEO of Flick Seed Co., has developed the idea of converting otherwise unusable seed hulls into consumable pellets to be used as a fuel source for creating energy.
"We are researching and implementing the design criteria of converting an agricultural waste by-product - specifically seed hulls that are left over from cleaning grass and sunflower seeds - into commercial energy," explains Flick.
"Non-feed waste, such as these seed hulls, has previously been dumped in landfills or spread over land, a dangerous and antiquated practice that leads to the spreading of noxious weeds."
Missouri Bioenergy, founded in 2003 by Flick, is the business he created to pursue the development of this new technology, but he's been faced with limited capital and infrastructure.
Last summer Flick received some advice from a legislative source to help address this problem.
"State Rep. Mike McGhee (R-122) and his legislative assistant, Steve Coller, suggested that Missouri Bioenergy could benefit greatly from meeting with Wes Savage, Joe Mullins and their colleagues at the SBTDC. And they were right," proclaims Flick.
Savage directs the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) on the campus at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. The program is part of the statewide Missouri SBDCs, which is affiliated with the University of Missouri Extension business development program.
Flick and his Missouri Bioenergy cohorts met with Savage's staff of business and technology specialists including Mullins, Brad Snyder, Mark Manley and Don Davis.
Snyder is a great source of information on lean manufacturing concepts such as just-in-time product delivery, which reduces inventory, according to Flick. Mullins has provided oversight for the relationship of Flick's seed company and bioenergy firm with the SBTDC.
Ultimately the entire SBTDC staff offered Missouri Bioenergy expertise and counseling in business planning, cash-flow analysis, grant application, plant-site feasibility, manufacturing concepts, patent options and market review, according to Mullins.
"Joe has treated Missouri Bioenergy like we are his most important client - indeed his only client," says Flick. "Missouri Bioenergy is on target to achieve our business plan goals and the CMSU SBTDC has played a major role in helping us achieve these goals."
The relationship with the CMSU SBTDC obviously has been a beneficial one from the start for Flick and his new business venture. It's also been an enjoyable one, even from the initial meeting when Flick and his crew exchanged business cards with Savage's staff. Poking good-natured fun at Flick's "SEEDGUYS" logo, the SBTDC counselors pulled out their pens to modify their cards with similar monikers: Mullins - MARKETING GUY; Snyder - MANUFACTURING GUY; Manley - PATENT GUY; Davis - FINANCE GUY; and Savage - HEAD GUY.
And with the humor also came the serious advice the "SEEDGUYS" found so valuable. Flick observes: "Working with the SBTDC has helped us refine Missouri Bioenergy's effort to stay resolved that success isn't about money; it's about making a difference in the life of someone else."
As a result of the firm's initiative, Missouri Bioenergy will represent the SBTDC at the second annual Client Showcase and Legislative Breakfast Thursday, Feb. 9, in the State Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.
At that event hosted by MO SBTDC, Missouri Bioenergy and more than a dozen other outstanding Missouri companies will meet with legislators to discuss their products and services. They also will be recognized for their contributions to the economic development of the state of Missouri. Recognition from MO SBTDC will be accompanied by legislative resolutions presented by each company's district state senator and state representative.
For more information on the services of the MO SBTDC program, call Mullins at 660-543-4803 or e-mail him at jmullins@cmsu1.cmsu.edu
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