US Agriculture Boss Visits Medford Biotech Agrivida

A Medford-based company that is aiming to dramatically change the way biofuels are developed was visited by the Secretary of Agriculture Friday.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Agrivida, located at 200 Boston Ave., according to a press release from the Department of Agriculture.

In January 2010, the biotech company received about $4.5 million through the federal stimulus to develop technology that would manipulate plant enzymnes after harvest, according to a federal grant report. The technology would dramatically reduce the cost of certain biofuels and biochemicals, the grant report said.

"Reducing America's dependence on foreign oil requires the efforts of our brightest scientists, our best companies, and strategic investments in biofuels research," said Vilsack in a press release. "Working with private industry and our government partners, we are developing new energy sources from renewable, homegrown next-generation feedstocks. By developing and commercializing advanced biofuels, we will create jobs, provide consumers with new options to fuel their vehicles, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil."

 According to the most recently reported federal grant data, Agrivida had used about $2.5 million of the grant as of March 31, creating 8.7 jobs along the way.

Earlier this month, Vilsack announced a total of $41 million in new grants through to fund an additional seven research and development projects throughout the country that will help increase the availability of renewable fuels and biobased products, the press release said.