Project: Green Industry

Scientists urge policymakers to think broadly about biofuel crops

Research suggests that growing more corn to produce ethanol -- which creates less diverse landscapes -- reduces the ability of beneficial insects to control pests, according to scientists at the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES).

“Corn is a less favorable habitat for many ladybird beetles [ladybugs] and other beneficial insects that feed on pests such as the soybean aphid,” said Doug Landis, MAES entomology scientist. “As we plant more corn, we reduce the ability of that landscape to supply beneficial predators to control pests in soybeans and other crops. This results in increased pesticide use and yield losses.”

From 2006 to 2007, a 19 percent increase in corn acreage in the United States reduced landscape diversity in many areas, the scientists said.

“Overreliance on any one crop is likely to reduce the value of natural control of pest insects by beneficial insects,” said Scott Swinton, MAES agricultural, food and resource economist.

Both Landis and Swinton are members of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, a partnership between Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct basic research aimed at solving complex problems in converting natural materials to energy.

The researchers say that achieving the biofuel production levels mandated by Congress will take millions of acres to provide the necessary raw materials and will change agricultural landscapes. Understanding how these landscape changes affect the sustainability of biofuel production is the overall goal of the research.

--Kelli

University of Tenn. commits to ‘grassoline’ project

The newest buzz word in ethanol may soon be “grassoline,” which is a fuel alternative refined from switchgrass and other cellulose-based crops. The University of Tennessee broke ground in October for a facility in the Niles Ferry Industrial Properties. The facility is scheduled to open in late 2009. It’s projected to produce 5 million gallons of fuel per year, according to Kelly Tiller, who is Director of External Operations at the University of Tennessee.

Tiller said that the biorefinery will be more than just a corn to ethanol operation. The emphasis will be on cellulosic materials such as switchgrass, but also other crops, wood chips and ag residue. An estimated 170 tons per day will be converted to fuel.

The state is paying selected farmers to grow switchgrass, which should be ready for harvest this year.

-- Jyme

Researchers are looking for ‘lost ladybugs’

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and cooperators are seeking the public's help in surveying for once-common ladybug species that are now hard to find.

Researchers with ARS, Cornell University at Ithaca, N.Y., and South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings want people to photograph every ladybug possible, and to send the photos to Cornell so researchers can inventory the insects. In particular, the scientists are looking for rare species, such as the nine-spotted, two-spotted and transverse lady beetles.

These beetles were common 20 years ago, but have become harder to find in the past few decades. There are more than 400 ladybug species native to North America, but some have become extremely rare, displaced perhaps by development, pesticides, non-native species and other factors.

Those wishing to participate can visit www.lostladybug.org for tips on finding and photographing ladybugs and submitting photos. The website includes ways to track and map the Lost Ladybug data.

-- Sarah

Americans are taking small steps toward sustainability

Recycling, paying bills online and buying more locally produced goods are the top lifestyle changes Americans are making to be more eco-friendly, according to a recent Harris Poll.

Just over half of Americans (53%) said they have done something to change their lifestyle to make it more environmentally sustainable, while one-quarter (25%) said they’ve made no changes.

“This poll shows that green living is certainly at the forefront of our minds,” said Stephanie Meeks, acting president and CEO of the Nature Conservancy, which advised Harris Interactive on the development of this latest poll. “Yet people are getting lost in the maze of information on how to lessen our environmental impact. The bottom line is that even the smallest lifestyle change can have significant impact in the long run.”

-- Sarah

Making a case for locally grown

As millions of pounds of field-grown tomatoes have been dumped over the last few weeks, federal and state officials continue to work to identify the source of the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak that has sickened over 200 people in 23 states. At about the same time that news stories began on the tainted tomatoes, Ohio State University sent out a press release concerning a study related to the attitudes of shoppers about locally produced food.

A study by university researchers suggests that the average supermarket shopper is willing to pay a higher price for locally produced foods. The study found that shoppers at farm markets are willing to pay almost twice as much as retail grocery shoppers for the same locally produced foods. Shoppers at both farm markets and supermarkets will pay more for guaranteed fresh produce. They also favor buying food produced by small farms over what they perceive as corporate operations.

Marvin Batte, director of the research project and a co-author of the study, said even though not all farmers would be able to set up a niche operation to grow and sell their produce to local consumers, these businesses could consider adding hand-harvested production knowing they could charge a higher price.

“Farmers could actually be a little less efficient on the production side and still be more profitable on the revenue side if they can capture that premium price,” Batte said.

-- Dave

University of Maryland seeks funding to build ‘green’ farm for research

The University of Maryland is serious about sustainability. It launched a funding campaign this year to build a “green” Central Maryland Research Farm to serve as a model for sustainable and energy-neutral practices. The university plans to begin construction in three to five years.

The university is looking to everyone, from businesses to individuals, for funding.

The multipurpose facility will house the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station headquarters, the Howard County Extension and the commercial horticulture and IPM program. It also will house the university’s Bay-Wise Landscaping program, Home & Garden Information Center, Maryland Master Gardener program and the 4-H equine program.

The green building will provide a place for organic gardening classes and sustainability workshops. It also will act as a demonstration for green building technologies.

The facility will be the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified green building on a land grant university property. LEED is a national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings administered by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Some green highlights:

• A silo wind turbine will generate energy for building use.
• Light tubes will channel natural light into offices, reducing electricity.
• Rain collection systems will channel water, which will be recycled.
• Green roofs and water-pervious surfaces in tandem with water-collection systems will reduce water consumption.

The cost: An estimated $12 million to $15 million.

-- Kelli

Arboretum to build sustainable greenhouse

The James M. Cox Jr. Foundation donated $1 million to the Cox Arboretum MetroPark in Dayton, Ohio, for the development of a sustainable greenhouse.

The greenhouse, reports the Dayton Business Journal, is part of a $3.5 million project dedicated to sustainable horticulture. The facility will be designed for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification and will be part of the Barbara Cox Anthony Center for Sustainable Horticulture.

Arboretum dir. Jay Woodhull told the paper that the organization is hoping to design a structure that doesn’t consume much fuel, is completely off the grid and has a zero carbon footprint. No timeline has been developed yet for the greenhouse.

-- David