Steven Hobbs is a 4th generation farmer in Kaniva, West Wimmera, Victoria. The farm is a typical mixed farm, growing a variety of crops including cereals, legumes and oilseeds, while complementing the cropping with both Merino sheep and Prime lambs. A series of dry years with a succession of late frosts, has seen the rotation slashed to minimise frost damage. It was at this stage Steven developed a keen interest in renewable alternative fuel, and has constructed an oil crushing plant on the farm. Steven previously produced vegetable oil that was used as a fuel, incorporating by-products into the farming operation and in value added markets. Steven has a vision of decentralised energy facilities being established where towns generate their own energy requirements.
In early 2000, Steven purchased an oil expeller to produce vegetable oil and the results of these trials prompted him to build a small biodiesel plant to start producing biodiesel and pure vegetable oil from mustard seeds grown on his property.