Earthtimes.org
04-19-07
John Deere Foundation Announces $1.25 Million Grant to Iowa State University
MOLINE, Ill., April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Deere Foundation, the
primary philanthropic arm of Deere & Company, today announced a $1.25 million
grant for construction of a new agricultural and biosystems engineering
facility at Iowa State University. The building is part of a planned multistructure complex that will include ISU's Office of Biorenewables Programs.
In comments made in Ames, Iowa, Michael J. Mack, Jr., a director of the John
Deere Foundation and senior vice president and chief financial officer of Deere &
Company, said the development of biorenewable fuel sources holds exceptional
economic potential for the state of Iowa. "Based on its long record of scientific
and engineering achievement, Iowa State University is in a particularly strong
position to provide leadership for the biorenewables effort. Technical support
from the university is essential to producing renewable fuels on a large scale and
in an economically feasible, sustainable manner." Biorenewables are likely to
play an important role in addressing the world's long-term energy needs and
have a positive impact on issues such as global climate change and
environmental sustainability, Mack noted.
Iowa State granted the country's first agricultural engineering degree in 1905.
Today, its department of agricultural and biosystems engineering administers
undergraduate degrees in agricultural engineering, agricultural systems
technology, and industrial technology. Housed jointly in the College of Agriculture
and College of Engineering, the department is recognized nationally for its
programs.
The new agricultural and biosystems facility will be part of a 166,000-square-foot
complex that will include three separate buildings to replace current laboratories,
classrooms and offices. Cost is estimated at $63.3 million.
Deere & Company