SAFER was formed to provide strategic leadership to the agricultural and forestry sectors in advancing and leveraging renewable energy initiatives in the Southeast.

Vision

SAFER's vision is

• to position the South as the leader in renewable energy production;
• to provide strategic leadership in mobilizing the agricultural and forestry sectors to work proactively in support of new energy solutions;
• to create a network that is actively removing barriers to the commercialization of renewable energy technologies;
• to promote policies and programs needed to develop renewable energy;
• to connect all stakeholders to research, news, and data that will foster a growing environment which embraces renewable energy.

SAFER works toward this vision by looking at strategies for improving policy, influencing research, advancing commercialization and effectively communicating with all stakeholders.

History

The Alliance was formed in 2006 through an initiative of the Energy Foundation in conjunction with the national 25x’25 initiative to bring together representation from across the bioenergy landscape including organizations and individuals from the agricultural, forestry, conservation and environmental communities as well as researchers, industry representatives, grassroots organizations and other renewable energy champions.

In early 2007, the Alliance selected Southern Growth Policies Board as their management and fiscal agent. Southern Growth will also assist in community outreach and information gathering.

SOUTHEAST AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY ENERGY RESOURCES ALLIANCE
c/o SOUTHERN GROWTH POLICIES BOARD
P.O. BOX 12293, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC 27709
PHONE: 919-941-5145 • FAX: 919-941-5594
CHARITY PENNOCK — PROJECT COORDINATOR, SAFER • cpennock@southern.org