Wallace's Farmer, IA
10-12-07
ISU Ag Dean Explains Plans for New Century Farm
Compiled By Staff
On September 21, DuPont announced a pledge of $1 million to the Iowa State
University's New Century Farm, the first research effort in the United States to
focus on producing cellulosic ethanol on the farm. The research efforts also will
focus on enhancing the production, processing and utilization of feedstocks for
biofuels and biomaterials.
"The need for renewable sources of energy requires a dynamic new way of
thinking. The New Century Farm will research the practical things farmers can do
in the future to grow, harvest and store biomass in a sustainable manner," said
Dean Oestreich, DuPont vice president and general manager and president of
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. "We're proud to partner with Iowa State to
create a demonstration farm that will be the first of its kind to integrate both the
growing and processing of biomass into biofuels."
Will focus on biomass crop research
In a recent interview with Wallaces Farmer, ISU Dean of Agriculture Wendy
Wintersteen, explained the plans for the New Century Farm.
The New Century Farm will include a facility for research in biomass crop
breeding, crop rotation needs and ways to efficiently store and process biomass
material. It also will feature a teaching laboratory for training future scientists and
farmers, and an extension facility to demonstrate the economic, social and
environmental viability of bioenergy. The funding from DuPont, through its
Pioneer Hi-Bred business, will be allocated from 2008 to 2012.
"Supporting the bioeconomy is one of our highest priorities at Iowa State
University, and the New Century Farm initiative is key to these efforts," says ISU
President Gregory Geoffroy. "We're delighted to have Pioneer partnering with us
in this important initiative."
Construction is to start this fall
The New Century Farm will be constructed on the ISU Ag Engineering and
Agronomy Research Farm west of Ames. Construction is scheduled to begin this
fall, with a completion date for the main bioprocessing facility a year later.
"We are excited to be working with Pioneer and others to create a facility that will
help address the opportunities and challenges of producing biofuels and
bioproducts from biomass," Wendy Wintersteen, dean of the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences at ISU, said. "At the New Century Farm, the
opportunity is great to integrate directly into agricultural fields the connections
with harvesting, transportation, storage and processing. The New Century Farm
will not only provide a venue for cutting-edge research, it will also allow us to
train the next generation of scientists in this critical growth area."
DuPont is committed to delivering new technologies to the growing renewable
fuels market, which includes improving biofuels production through improved
seed and crop protection products; developing new technologies to allow
conversion of cellulose to biofuels; and developing next-generation biofuels.
Developing next-generation biofuels
Wintersteen ISU's College of Agriculture is committed to using Iowa's ag base to
build the state's bioeconomy through application of science to practical problems,
leadership in university biorenewables programs, extension delivery of researchbased information and education, and training of students for new career
opportunities in the bioeconomy. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
provides significant leadership and resources for ISU's Office of Biorenewables
Programs to achieve the goals of the university-wide Bioeconomy Initiative.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at ISU is building on 150 years of
excellence in research and education, says Wintersteen. The college educates
more than 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students, supports the research
programs of more than 330 faculty members in the college and across campus,
and serves thousands of Iowans statewide through its extension programs.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers 30 different undergraduate
career paths, from animal science, agronomy and horticulture to biology,
genetics and environmental science, and awards $1 million in scholarships every
year. The college has a 98% placement rate, with graduates on the job or
pursuing advanced degrees. Two-thirds begin their careers in the state of Iowa.
Oesterich says DuPont – one of the first companies to publicly establish
environmental goals 17 years ago – has broadened its sustainability
commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets
for both revenue and research and development investment. The goals are tied
directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and
environmentally improved new products for key global markets.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customized
solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With
headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant
genetics in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802,
DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a
better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70
countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and construction;
communications; and transportation.