NEW YORK -- A group of Iowa farm leaders in December traveled to New York City, which they consider a jewel among biodiesel success stories.

Northwest Iowa soybean producer Brian Kemp, who was part of the delegation, said the enthusiasm for biodiesel in the Big Apple is quite striking.

"The most valuable part of attending this tour was in realizing the importance of biodiesel in New York City," said Kemp, who farms near Sibley. "It opens your eyes. The thing that struck me was that it is a very accepting and enthusiastic market."

The National Biodiesel Board hosted about 40 farmers and staff members representing the Iowa Biodiesel Board, the Iowa Soybean Association, and other soybean groups on a tour of the largest U.S. city.

The agenda included a bioheat workshop in the New York Mercantile Exchange building.The group also toured JFK International Airport, getting an up-close look at how the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is using biodiesel in airport operations and beyond.

The chief fleet manager for New York  City also addressed the group about its highly visible use of biodiesel and Bioheat citywide.

Randy Olson, IBB executive director, said what is happening with biodiesel in New York is relevant to producers in Iowa, the leading biodiesel-producing state.

"We want Iowa to be a net energy exporter, and indeed, Iowa biodiesel can be found coast-to-coast," Olson said.

But New York represents more than just another market for biodiesel, he said.

"Their unwavering commitment to biodiesel sends a resounding message to the world of how reliable this fuel is, and just how effective it is at reducing greenhouse gases," he said.

Steven Levy with Sprague Energy, a leading biodiesel supplier in the area, says New York  agencies use about 11 million gallons of biodiesel blends a year, ranging from 5 to 50 percent biodiesel.

New York City runs the most-famous city fleet in the world. You can't turn on primetime television without seeing the New York Police Department or New York Fire Department vehicles in action.

In this prominent fleet, more than 4,300 city diesel vehicles run on biodiesel blends.

Keith Kerman, who started out in New York's parks department and was recently promoted to chief fleet officer, is a long-time biodiesel champion. He spoke to the visiting farmers about the city's biodiesel program.

"Biodiesel is and will be a big part of what we do in the city to reduce greenhouse gases," Kerman said. "In fact, there is nothing I see in the next few years that will move the needle more than biodiesel on the transportation side."