Purdue Extension schedules bioenergy grass field days in Indiana
September 29, 2015
 |
|
Switchgrass is one of many grasses that can be used in bioenergy production. (Purdue Agricultural and Biological Engineering photo/Chad Martin) |
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Extension will host three field days in Indiana to teach landowners, farmers, agribusiness personnel and farm-related agency employees about bioenergy grasses and current research.
The CenUSA project is focused on land that is not suited for row crop production and how it can be used for bioenergy grass production. The project explores different species of grasses and nitrogen fertilizer levels to determine the best grass that could be used as a bioenergy source.
An update on the progress of the work currently taking place will be presented at the field days.
"The field days provide attendees an opportunity to glance into the future possibilities of using warm-season grasses as a fuel resource for people," said Keith Johnson, a Purdue University professor of agronomy and organizer of the events. "In the process of raising these grasses on soils where corn and soybean yields are limited, soil erosion can be reduced, water quality enhanced, wildlife habitat improved and carbon sequestration increased. And it is an alternative source of income to the farm business."
Dates and locations of the three field days (all 1-3 p.m. EDT):
* Oct. 20: Indiana FFA Leadership Center; 6595 S. 125 W, Trafalgar.
* Oct. 21: 9130 N 600 E Denver, Indiana. The plots are one-eighth mile north of the listed address on the west side of the road.
* Oct. 22: Throckmorton-Purdue Agricultural Center; 8343 U.S. 231, Lafayette.
The workshops are open to anyone who is interested, including staff from Purdue Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, wildlife organizations, agribusinesses and farms.
CenUSA is a project, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, that is considering the feasibility of a Midwestern sustainable biofuels and bioproducts system. It is based at Iowa State University.
RSVPs are due at least three days before the event.
For more information and to register contact Lisa Green at lgreen06@purdue.edu or 765-494-4783.
Writer: Chelsea Clodfelder, 765-494-2722, mailto:cclodfel@purdue.edu
Source: Keith Johnson, 765-494-4800, johnsonk@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page
