What if the next big oil field wasn't in the Middle East or Venezuela -- but a sweet sorghum or sweet potato (for ethanol) or soybean (for biodiesel) field right here in Florida?

As a member of the Tampa Bay Ethanol Consortium, the Common Purpose Institute is working with ethanol companies, farmers, seed companies, universities, and landowners in research and commercial demonstrations of Florida "Home Grown" energy crops.

Sweet sorghum ~2 months after planting in central Florida.

Sweet sorghum ~2 months after planting in central Florida.

Diameter of sweet sorghum stalks at ~2.5 months after planting.

~9 foot high sweet sorghum at ~2.5 months after planting.

Sweet sorghum approaching harvest stage.