Successfully picking NFL game winners is somewhat of an artform, combining equal parts of intuition, knowledge, and pure luck. Sure, one could over-analyze arbitrary details like “player statistics”, “injuries”, or “consistent losing record against the Cowboys on the road” to inform winning team picks, but where’s the fun in that?

This week, Cravings to Go wants to give you an edge by letting you in on some of the most secretive techniques to help you become a football picking master. These tips also just might give you an edge in the Pro Football Challenge, where you can test your picks against the Fox 9 team and register for the chance to win awesome prizes like $5,000 in cash, a Plasma TV from Plaza TV & Appliance, $5,000 Ashley Furniture Gift Certificate, even free Pizza Hut Pizza for a year! So study these surefire techniques (at your own risk) and then take the Pro Football Challenge!

The Coin Flip:
The coin toss, what could be more appropriate for picking Sunday’s winners considering it’s how every football game starts before the kickoff. This one’s real simple: Team 1 is Heads, Team 2 is Tails, whoever lands heads up is the winner. Quarter’s work well, silver dollars even better, just watch where you flip it…

Roll the Dice:
A Vegas staple, dice also work extremely well for picking an NFL winner within the comfort of your own home. This mystical method can work in several ways; designate the two teams and roll for the highest, for roll for the lowest, first to doubles, 21, whatever you want. We don’t advocate the 29-sided Dungeons and Dragons dice unless you have several degrees in Math.

Draw Straws:
An age old classic, it applies just as well to determining Sunday’s big winners as to who has to take out the trash. Get some friends in on the action and have them represent each team per game. Have them draw back and forth and whoever gets the short one is obviously the loser. Don’t forget to assure the “losing team friend” that they’ll always be a winner to you, but they still have to bring their own nachos on Sunday…

Pin the Tail on the Denver Broncos:
This kid’s birthday party game gets a slight NFL modification and becomes an effective way for choosing a gamewinner. Keep the tail, but lose the donkey. Instead, write/draw/tape the two teams logos on different parts of the piece of paper, grab the blindfold, and have a trustworthy friend give you a few good spins (safety first) before you go aimlessly pinning the tail on a doorknob. Whichever team’s logo is closest to the tail takes the game!

The Ultimate Analog Simulation - Electric Football:
For many years, this was the most sophisticated scientific method anyone had for gameday predictions.  If you can bear the loud metal buzz and tedium of re-standing up every player this may be the method for you. It’s also a great way to spend time with the kids!

The Ultimate Digital Simulation - Madden Football:
The Madden Football videogame series is currently the most accurate process of determining a winner that humans possess. With every new iteration, the graphics and player’s artificial intelligence are improved making for eerily realistic simulations of pending games. Set up both teams to play against eachother in computer-controlled mode and sit-back for a possibly-accurate preview of Sunday’s upcoming action.

Go Back in Time:
While largely untested, building a time machine may be the ultimate method for accurately picking Sunday’s winners. Use it on Monday to travel back to Sunday and tell your past-self exactly what went down on the gridiron. Warning: may cause rifts in the space-time continuum, do not attempt to squash any bugs, re-write Johnny B. Goode or otherwise alter history.

Check out the Pro Football Challenge today and try your hand at picking Sunday’s winners!

How good are you at picking Sunday’s winners? Got a secret method for accurate Sunday picks, passed down from generations? Or do you just go on pure gut feelings? However you decide, Cravings To Go is giving you the chance to put your “football pick skills” to the test with the Pro Football Challenge!  Put your knowledge, luck and intuition on the line against FOX 9 Sports Team  in your picks for Sunday’s Winners.

Every week, the Fox 9 Sports team will give their informed picks for each game on Sunday. Visit here to put your picks up against Fox 9’s. If you agree with them, simply check the agree box, but if you think you know better, challenge the Fox 9 team and check disagree. By picking the winners and entering the Pro Football Challenge, you could win awesome prizes like 5,000 bucks cash, a $5,000 gift certificate to Ashley Furniture Homestores, a 42” Lg Plasma TV from Plaza TV and Appliance or even free Pizza Hut Pizza for a year. In addition, if you vote in the Voice Your Choice Poll, you would even win a trip to the Vikings – Lions game in Detroit on December 7th! To enter, watch the comprehensive Fox 9 Local post game show on Sunday for details on how to Voice Your Choice.

Here are a few fast contest details:
1. Entrants must be at least 18 years old and MN or WI residents, that’s right we’re giving Cheeseheads a chance too!
2. Signup is free, no purchase necessary! Only one entry per household per gameweek.
3. Contest ends on December 28th with the Grand Prize winner announced December 29th. Sign up with your picks now!
Full Contest Details Here

Register for the Cravings To Go & Fox 9’s Pro Football Challenge today for a chance to prove your football picking skills and win great prizes in the process. Be sure to check back at Cravings To Go Blog for more info on the Pro Football challenge and other great contests.

Serious Vikings fans know that the Vikings aren’t solely a football team, they’re a total experience. Part of this experience comes from the rituals Vikings fans partake in both before and after Sunday’s game. Aside from the cliches of chants, razzing your Green Bay buddies, and parking lot brats, there are a number of unique rituals Vikings fans participate in to enrich their Sunday experience, build excitement before the game, and bring people together.

This week, Cravings to Go is providing you with a list of classic Vikings ceremonies and rites of passage that almost any Vikings Favorite Fan can enjoy. And if you think you are a true Minnesota’s Favorite Fan, Cravings to Go wants to give you the chance to prove it right now by signing up for our Minnesota’s Favorite Fan contest. You could win great Vikings prizes like jerseys, VIP sideline passes or even a pair of 2009 Vikings Season tickets and Free Pizza Hut Pizza for a Year. So sign up today for the Favorite Fan contest and check out some of these creative Vikings Game rituals:

Pregame Rituals

Paint it Purple
True Vikings Fans know that jerseys, hats, socks and purple zubaz only cover so much with Purple Pride. Those going for Purple head-to-toe have to bring in the paint. Some helpful tips from the Vikings elite: Painting yourself purple is the easy part, cleanup is the real pain. Only use non-toxic skin safe paint that’s easily washable, and if you’re not actually going to the game, plastic covering for your couch might be in order.

Photo by OrphanJones

Convert a Non-Believer
If you’ve got a friend on the fence about their football affinity, its your sworn duty to bring them over to the Purple and Gold side. Invite them over for this Sunday’s game to speed up the transition, the more the merrier!

Teach Your Children Well
Studies have shown that a healthy love for the Vikings begins at an early age. It’s also important to teach them who the “bad guys” are as well.

Tailgate with Zygi
Tailgating has always been a classic Vikings pregame ritual, but these Vikings fans got a rare treat when Vikings owner Zygi Wilf showed up for the pregame festivities in the Metrodome parking lot.

Toss that Mjolnir
Even if you don’t know what a Mjolnir is, you can still partake in the timeless pregame ritual of throwing the Mjolnir. Practice makes perfect!

Self Explanatory
Possibly the most important Vikings pregame ritual of them all, you don’t want any distractions when its game time right?

Photo by Shoshanah

Post Game Rituals

Hit the Slopes with Ragnar
What better way to celebrate a Vikings win than an evening at the slopes with everyone’s favorite mascot, Ragnar. Good clean fun for the whole family!

Celebrate with Style
Celebrate the Vikings triumphant win over Green Bay with a historically accurate display of Vikings pride! You can dress up in traditional Vikings garb

Photo by ChatiryGirl

Or fashion your very own Vikings Longboat

Whatever you do, keep it safe, keep it legal, wash your hands, and most importantly, have fun!

As is the norm, always be sure to check back at Cravings to Go Blog for more Vikings Coverage and Football Features. Also make sure to sign up here if you think you have what it takes to be a Minnesota’s Favorite Fan.

Skol Vikings!

The Minnesota Vikings are a football team that inspires die hard fandom like no other. Maybe it’s their rich history as one of the initial NFL expansion teams. Maybe it’s their colorful cast of legendary individuals like Bud Grant, Fran Tarkenton, Chuck Foreman, and Cris Carter. Maybe it’s the nostalgic association with some of Minnesota’s scandinavian roots. Or the constant sense of excitement and drama that comes from their hot and cold season records and Superbowl performances. Whatever it is, it always keeps true Vikings Fans from all walks of life coming back to the Metrodome, rooting for the Purple and Gold, and voicing their rich spectrum of opinion.

This week, Cravings to Go is bringing Minnesota’s Favorite Fans another helping of seriously engaging Vikings discussion with some of the best Vikings Blogs around. In addition, Cravings to Go is also giving the true fans a chance to win awesome Vikings Prizes with our Minnesota’s Favorite Fan contest. Fans can enter the Minnesota’s Favorite Fan Contest for a chance to win Vikings tickets to a home and away game and even Season Tickets and free Pizza Hut Pizza for a year! Sign up now and then take the time to check out some of these excellent beacons of Vikings knowledge and discussion.

Minnesota Vikings – Content Quake
This content quake network blog is fairly new, but came right out of the gate with outstanding game pictures and Vikings Video! Blogger “The Jazzy One” keeps the posts consistent and high quality with Sunday’s most important game highlights.
Notable Post: Defensive Player Profile of the Week Napoleon Harris

Vikings Tailgate
Vikings Tailgate is one for the diehard Vikings Tailgaters. Bloggers Mookie and Bruce M are never afraid to speak their mind and lead thoughtful discussion on team strengths and weaknesses with humorous perspective.
Notable Post: Why Vikes Fans are Disgruntled

Skol Vikes
Like the beloved Vikings theme song it’s named after, Skol Vikes is a Vikings blog that always takes a positive outlook no matter what happened on Sunday. That’s not to say that Skol Vikes only blogs with rose colored glasses, their game reports and analysis are always hard hitting and robust, highly recommended!
Notable Post: Don’t Stop Believing Just Yet

The Pacifist Viking
The Pacifist Viking blog is a deeply analytical Vikes blog that occasional dips into Minnesota Timberwolves territory. That’s not to say that it’s inferior to a pure Vikings Blog at all, the blog includes great perspective by posting through the eyes of a real Minnesota Sports Fan.
Notable Post: Brad Childress Must Beat the Packers

Vikings Valhalla
Valhalla touts itself as “Built By & For those Who Bleed Purple” and is a serious source Vikings News that intersects with the ardent opinions of true Vikings Fans. Vikings Valhalla has just about everything a Vikes fan could need from it’s classy design to great weekly picks.
Notable Post: Brad Childress & The Unacceptable Middle

Purple Kool-Aid
Purple Kool Aid is a blog that takes great pride in being unabashed about their emotions for the team, no matter what happens each Season. The posts are epic, the strong sentiments thinly veiled, and the writing is always genuinely entertaining.
Notable Post: To Favre Or Not To Favre

Capital J’s Corner
Capital J’s Corner is a no-nonsense Vikes blog with Newswire posts comprised of direct bullet points that bring the pure facts and clear opinions to the forefront. The blog is also a repository for in depth roster, stats, and coach information.
Notable Post: J’s Reaction Week 9

Grant’s Tomb
Grant’s Tomb is an expertly written blog that takes on multiple viewpoints in its thoughtful posts and weekly game analysis’. Grant’s Tomb also boasts an active community, so be sure to take part in one of their comments threads.
Notable Post: Friday’s Two Minute Drill

As always, be sure to check back often at Cravings to Go for more contest information and Minnesota Vikings Entertainment!

Luckily, Cravings to Go has designed a comprehensive and scientifically accurate test to help determine whether you are a true Minnesota Vikings Favorite Fan. Below is a set of 10 Vikings questions with an accompanying visual aid. Answer each question truthfully and to the best of your ability to find out if you’re Minnesota’s Favorite Fan material. Let’s begin:

Question 1:
Do you dress like these guys?

Question 2:
Do you currently or have you ever owned a Vikings themed Pub, outside of Minnesota, with a “100% Cheesehead Free” guarantee?

Question 3:
Do you consider new Vikings jersey a significant national holiday?

Question 4:
When the Vikes are down 34 – 0 against the Packers, do you still maintain hope? More importantly, are you still able to dance?

Question 5:
Would you drive this to work? To your kids soccer practice? On a 4 day tour through Wisconsin?

Question 6:
Do you study Ragnar the Vikings’ weekly routines for new moves to impress on the dance floor?

Question 7:
Was your child’s first words some combination of “Skol” and “Vikings”?

Question 8:
Do you frequently dream of an alternate history where Vince Lombardi coaches the Vikings?

Question 9:
Have you ever done this?

Question 10:
Are you these guys?

Photo by JoeBrent

If you answered YES to one or more of these questions, it’s a clear sign that you have what it takes to be Minnesota’s Favorite Fan, the only thing left to do is prove it. By visiting here, you can enter the Cravings to Go “Minnesota’s Favorite Fan” contest which is giving away great Vikings prizes like game tickets, away game travel accomodations, Favorite Fan jerseys, and even a pair of 2009 Vikings Season tickets. All you have to do is sign up, and if you’re chosen, take a picture of yourself decked out in your best Vikings gear at an away game. But that shouldn’t be any problem for an established Vikings Favorite Fan, right?

As always, be sure to check back at Cravings to Go Blog often for contest coverage, updates, and great Vikings Fan resources.

Skol Vikings!

Die hard Vikings Fans know that the game isn’t really done after Sunday.  For the rest of the week, discussion over bad ref calls, fumbles, poorly executed plays, miracle passes and off-field antics is always buzzing around the office watercoolers, bars, and checkout lines of Minnesota. The internet has also proved a powerful tool for Vikes fans to generate discussion, voice opinions and build community with other Vikings fans the world over. Football blogs have provided an outlet for true Vikings fans to seek out further thoughtful discussion on very specific issues like coaching strategies, possible player injuries and even philosophical Vikings questions.

Cravings to Go knows serious Minnesota Vikings Fans. That’s why we’re offering true Vikings fanatics the chance to win great prizes in our Minnesota’s Favorite Fan Contest. By signing up here, you’re entered to win a prize package that includes 2 Vikings home game tickets, 2 VIP Sideline passes, 2 Vikings away game tickets with accommodations and an authentic Vikings Favorite Fan jersey, but that’s not all. Winners of the Favorite Fan contest also get a chance to win 2009 Season Vikings Tickets and a year’s supply of Pizza Hut pizza if they submit their craziest photo of themselves as a Vikings fanatic, at an away game.

Plus, if you’re a member of our free rewards club, Extra Cravings, you have the chance to bid on tickets to Vikings home games, autographed Vikings merchandise and a vaction trip for two!  Not a member of Extra Cravings?  Join today!

This week’s roundup highlights some of the Best Minnesota Vikings Fan blogs around, for the reading pleasure of Vikings Fanatics worldwide. Enjoy!

The Daily Norseman
The Daily Norseman is truly a pinnacle of Vikings blogs, it’s what most football blogs aspire to be. The writing is often witty, providing great in depth analysis of Sundays games, future gameday speculation, and allows posts from a fun and respectful community of serious Vikings Fans.
Notable Post: Crazy Stadium Costs

The Vikings Locker
The Vikings Locker prefers to keep pure speculation to minimum by focusing on the hard game facts, in depth highlights and breaking Vikes news. The locker also boasts some of the most accurate injury reports and best pre-season coverage to be found.
Notable Post: Will Brad Childress help the Minnesota Vikings Continue to Improve in 2008?

The Viking Age
The Viking Age is truly a blog representing the Vikings huge and diversely opinionated fan base. This blog has a serious commitment to compelling  original content beyond the average post-Sunday report. Viking Age also contains cool Vikings video, tailgating info, latest rumors, Dan Zinski’s excellent divisional breakdowns, and an engaging discussion forum.
Notable Post: Randy Moss wants to reunite with Daunte Culpepper

Vikings Gab
While it may be only a little over a year old, Vikings Gab is quickly becoming one of the most promising Vikings blogs with its awesome array of pictures, videos and amazing breadth of coverage. Helmed by sports media vets Matt Loede and Peter Durstman, Vikings Gab provides no-nonsense detailed analysis of games with only well-informed speculation.
Notable Post: No Bad Blood Childress, McCarthy

Viking Underground
Viking Underground is a real gem of the Vikings blogosphere. From its great collection of quotes to its awesome original training camp coverage, the Underground is worth any fans time. It’s unfortunate that the blog hasn’t been updated in a while but is seems that author Mr. Cheer or Die might be contributing over at the Daily Norseman.

Vikings War Cry
Vikings War Cry is a community blog that allows Purple People Eater fans to publish their Vikings opinions, game summaries and more. Veteran posters like Anthony Hall and Andrew Strickert always bring great breaking news and informed assessments. War Cry is also part of the Most Valuable Network of sports blogs and often serves up great Vikes content through other community blogs.
Notable Post: Rides Like a Lemon

Vikings Hot Talk
Vikings Hot Talk and blog host Cyrus Bahr look to generate genuine discussion amongst Vikings fans with thought provoking posts. Our only wish is that Vikings Hot Talk would post a little more frequently, but their coverage is always robust and speaks from the heart.
Notable Post: Monday Night Madness in Viking Country

Purple Pride
Purple Pride is a truly outspoken community, taking their Vikings coverage with great earnestness. Post content ranges from meticulously detailed to philosophical, with respected authors like Shockzilla and AngloVike offering incredible foresight on draft picks and future games.
Notable Post: Opener Right Around the Corner…

Sign up for the Minnesota’s Favorite Fan contest today for your chance to win Vikings tickets and more. Also be sure to check back often at Cravings to Go Blog for more great Minnesota Vikings coverage, contest information, and other excellent Vikings blogs to check out.

Okay, so you have an original Chuck Foreman jersey off of eBay. You framed a slightly worn pair of tickets from Superbowl XI in your living room. You’ve painted the outside of your house royal purple trimmed with a familiar shade of yellow. You’ve imported an traditional Viking steer-horned helmet from Sweden. You named your first born child “Fran Tarkenton II”…

..but the real question is, do you think you’re the Minnesota Vikings Favorite Fan?

Cravings to Go is giving you the chance to prove the you’re the Number One Vikings fanatic with our Minnesota’s Favorite Fan contest! All you have to do is sign up for the Favorite fan contest, and if you’re a finalist, submit the best photo of yourself decked out in your craziest Vikings attire, at an away game. If you’re chosen as one of Eight Lucky finalists, you could win a prize package consisting of:

Two (2) tickets to a Minnesota Vikings home game with TWO VIP Sideline passes, putting you right near the game’s action

A trip for two to a Minnesota Vikings away game including tickets, roundtrip transportation expenses and hotel accommodations

An authentic Vikings “Favorite Fan” Jersey

In addition to this great prize package, if your Favorite Fan photo is selected, you could win the Grand Prize package which includes a Pair of 2009 Minnesota Vikings Season tickets plus a year’s supply of America’s favorite pizza from Pizza Hut!

Just to highlight a few extra contest details:

1. Register for the contest by visiting here.

2. You must be at least 21 years of age at the date of contest entry and a Minnesota resident.

3. All entries must be submitted before December 2nd 2008, the sooner the better!

4. Finalist photos must be taken at an away game (like in the middle of an enclave of Cheeseheads) and you should be wearing your craziest Vikings garb!

5. Finalist photos will be posted online at ww.CravingsToGo.com where users will vote for who they think is Minnesota’s Favorite Fan.

6. Whoever receives the most votes will take home the grand prize!

Check out further Vikings Favorite Fan Contest Details.

So don’t wait, sign up for the Minnesota’s Favorite Fan contest now and start preparing your ultimate Vikings costume. Also be sure to check back often at Cravings To Go Blog for contest coverage, Vikings info, and great tips on how to become Minnesota’s Favorite Fan.

Environmental awareness, education, and discussion are each vital components of any positive and successful sustainability effort. It should come as no surprise that many Minnesota campuses have become thought leaders in these important areas of the green movement. By increasing understanding of environmental issues, they also increase appreciation and usable knowledge to better serve campuses, community, and the earth itself.

Cravings to Go is also dedicated to increasing this awareness through our weekly link roundup posts, and our Cellphone Recycling Program with participating Taco Bell restaurants.

This week’s green link roundup looks at the Minnesota College Campuses that are paving the way for an environmentally sustainable future through education, research, and initiatives for a greener Minnesota.

St. Olaf -Black & Gold & Green
St. Olaf College has taken serious initiative towards environmental responsibility in setting up their Black & Gold (school colors) “& Green” program, which is geared towards raising awareness about energy usage, food service recycling, resource conservation, and also about sharing stories connecting Minnesotans involved in the Green cause.

Concordia College - Green Scene
Concordia College has been doing its part for environmental responsibility by recently overhauling components of its Campus Dining services. Some initiatives Concordia dining services has taken includes recycling fryer oil for conversion to biodiesel fuel, filtering dish water, using renewably produced straws and napkins, and even running kitchen equipment on steam. In addition, their regular student newsletter contains helpful environmental resources in the Green Scene section, as included in the above link.

Morris College - Green Campus
University of Minnesota Morris has created a robust Green Campus microsite that includes helpful information on UMM green campus initiatives, renewable energy issues, biomass for heating, green eating, and green education.

UMD -Green Initiatives
University of Minnesota Duluth has a whole portion of their site devoted to Environmental Stewardship. Included are links to information on UMD initiatives like energy efficiency, LEED Certification on campus buildings, responsible student transportation, and the UMD Rain Garden.

Augsburg College - Environmental Stewardship
Augsburg College has a deep commitment to sustainability and provides some fantastic resources on their Environmental studies program, recycling initiatives, and community involvement within their Environmental Stewardship site section.

Carleton College - Sustainability
Carleton College provides a highlight of their current Sustainability efforts like their environmental pledge, sustainability blog, additional green resources and even a repository for students to share energy saving ideas of their own.

University of Minnesota - Sustainable U
The sustainability section of the University of Minnesota website is a beacon for campus related sustainability information. U of M places emphasis on the need for leadership, efficiency, improvements, and robust research when it comes to integrating successful green programs to campuses. This page contains a wealth of useful information for students and community members alike.

Macalester - MacCares
MacCares (Macalester Conservation and Renewable Energy Society) is a program designed to find global warming solutions by starting with a fresh approach at Macalester college itself.  MacCares provides a knowledge base of green resources, past accomplishments, current project details, and a calendar listing upcoming environmental event dates.

Taco Bell has made it very easy to make a donation at their restaurant locations.   You can either donate your spare change in the cansiter and on the front counter and 100% of your change contribution will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Minnesota or simply add a Pepsi beverage to your order and a percentage of your Pespi purchase will go back to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Minnesota.  

If you’re a Pizza Hut customer, place your order online at CravingsToGo.com using the fundrasing code LIONSGATE and 20% of your purchase will be donated to Lionsgate Academy. Plus, if you add a Pepsi 2-liter to any order , whether its online, carryout, or delivery, a percentage of your Pepsi purchase will be donated to Lionsgate Academy.  Lionsgate Academy is a tuition-free charter school for children and adolescents living with autism in the Twin Cites.  It is the first school of it’s kind in the nation and we are excited to help support such a great school.

Extra Cravings Club members can aslo participate in these fundraisers in a special way.  In our online club store, there is an option for you as a club member to donate your points to either charity.  These organizations are able to use your donated club points towards food for their events.  It’s a great and easy way to give back to our community!

We are also hosting an online auction for 3 custom-made Halloween alien props to benefit both charities.  Check out these spooky aliens on our homepage and place your bid today to have them in time for Halloween!  100% of the money raised from these auctions will go directly to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Minnesota and Lionsgate Academy.

Biofuels, biodiesel, excess vegetable oil, and other alternative energy sources are fast becoming a hot topic during times of exorbant petroleum fuel prices and environmental concerns. These alternative energy sources have the potential to produce cheaper and cleaner burning or carbon neutral fuel, but there is still debate of their long term viability and effectiveness.

This week’s green link roundup looks at a myriad of resources on Biofuel specific to Minnesota, providing general information on the fuels themselves, some Minnesota initiatives to implement them, places for those interested alternative fuel to exchange ideas, and some documents on what roles they play in Minnesota’s economy and natural environment.

As always, Cravings to Go and Border Foods Companies take active interest in the Minnesota environmental cause with promotions such as our “What’s Greener Than Our Guacamole” program to recycle cellphones and our roundup on the best green links for Minnesota.

Minnesota Sustainable Biofuels Program
Excellent Overview of the Minnesota clean energy program with a list of some of the various ecological conservation benefits of biofuel production in Minnesota. Also included is a link to the orginial document that outlines the Minnesota Clean Energy Program Guidelines and Standards.

Growing Better Fuels
Now more than ever, the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption and derive alternatives is at an all time high. The project Reinvest in Minnesota – Clean Energy (RIM-CE) was developed as an economic development engine for farmers to help speed the transition to sustainable energy crop production.

Minnesota Renewable Fuel Plant - MPR
Recognizing the need for alternatives, one of Minnesota’s biggest mine operators plans to build a plant that will produce renewable fuel to replace coal. The project is expected to create 25 new jobs in the Iron Range.

University of Minnesota Biofuel Research Video
The U of M has been hard at work growing various types of trees at the Research and Outreach Center in Waseca. These trees may prove to be a promising source of biofuel in the near future.

Developing an Advanced Biofuels Industry in Minnesota
Produced by Clean Energy Minnesota, this document outlines the economic, energy independence, and environmental benefits of transforming plant fiber biomass into biofuels in Minnesota. It’s also an entertaining read with a helpful glossary defining some key concepts in the field of biofuels.

Biodiesel FAQ – Minnesota Soybean
Minnesota Soybean has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Biodiesel and provides comprehensive information on beneficial Biodiesel usage, public concerns, and fuel facts.

Biodiesel Basics
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture provides a informative and concise document on the basics of Biodiesel in Minnesota. It includes information on bio-diesel sources, blends, energy usage, and about Minnesota’s own adopted biofuel requirements.

Minnesota Biodiesel Initiative Forums
Biodiesel Now is hosting a forum specifically for interested Minnesota residents to chat, schedule meetups, and exchange ideas on the Minnesota Biodiesel Initiative and Biofuels in general.

Minnesota “Veged” VW
Dave Viksna is a Minnesota resident who converted his VW to run off Vegetable Oil to save money and reduce his environmental impact. In his personal blog, he gives an honest account of his experiences, successes, and roadblocks in driving a vehicle that runs off of an alternative biofuel.