By Marissa Fessenden
WASHINGTON, DC: Michael Hoffmann, director of the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station, accepted a “Grand Challenge” award from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a white paper outlining Cornell’s vision of the bioenergy future during BioEnergy Awareness Days (BEAD II) in Washington, DC, on June 19.
BEAD II, held at the National Arboretum June 19-22, was designed to increase awareness and knowledge related to the sustainable production of agriculture-based and natural resource-based renewable energy, and the efficient use and conservation of energy for the benefit of rural communities and the nation.
“Researchers at Cornell are working on developing next generation bioenergy crops and technologies; maximizing sustainable development; creating flexible and responsive regional models for communities, policy makers and producers; enhancing sustainability, conservation and efficiency for producers and consumers; producing new industrial chemical and natural products from plant and microbial resources; and promoting complementary—not competing—food and fuel crops,” said Hoffmann.
Karen LoParco
(l-r) Center, Michael Hoffmann, director of the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (CUAES), accepted the Grand Challenge Award on behalf of Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, on June 19, during BioEnergy Awareness Days in Washington, DC. Present were (l-r) Duane Acker from the 25x'25 Alliance, Gale Buchanan, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, Drew Lewis, manager of CUAES facilities, and Chuck Conner, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture for the USDA.
The “Grand Challenge” award recognized Cornell’s vision paper, “Big Red’s Big Green Initiatives: Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Vision for the Bioenergy Future” for its emphasis on creating a bioenergy platform from renewable resources driven by the “triple bottom line” of economic, environmental and social sustainability.
The paper focused on an industrial ecology approach to bioenergy, utilizing CALS’ ability to address all aspects of the emerging bioenergy economy, from feedstock production to cellulosic conversion technology.
Cornell’s “Grand Challenge” vision includes expanding sustainable bioenergy options while producing safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber. The paper addressed four goals—increasing the production of renewable energy and alternative fuels, delivering that energy to consumers, meeting consumer demand, and enhancing sustainability, conservation, and energy efficiency.
The submission builds on the university’s strengths as New York’s land-grant institution and of its proximity to large consumer markets and natural resources.
BEAD II was hosted by the USDA and the 25x’25 Alliance, a group of more than 400 business, environmental, labor and agricultural organizations.
Related web sites