Funded Projects 2005
Archive: 2004 Awards
Business Organization and Market Exploration for Iowa Flax Growers
The goal of this project is to provide Iowa flax growers with information and experience to improve their ability to negotiate available contracts and pursue additional marketing avenues for oilseed and food flax. In addition, researchers will facilitate investigation of marketing opportunities for flax straw and fiber co-products.
Margaret A. Smith, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
Mary Wiedenhoeft, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
Paul Mugge, Northwest Iowa Farmer
Sarah Carlson, Iowa State University graduate student
Investigation of Flax as Dual Purpose Crop
Researchers will investigate the oil and fiber characteristics of several varieties of flax grown in several different environments within Iowa.
Margaret A. Smith, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
Mary Wiedenhoeft, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
Sarah Carlson, Iowa State University graduate student
Feasibility of Blending Switchgrass with Plastic Resins
This project will address the need for bringing bio-based material to the plastics industry as a filler material. It will also demonstrate the process and market and feasibility of blending biomass with plastic resins that will create value-added feedstock for industrial applications using injection molding, extrusion and compression molding.
James Schweitzer, Coordinator for Prairie Lands Bio-Products, Inc.
Sam McCord, Project Consultant for McCord Consulting Group, Inc.
Food Package Testing: Polylactic Acid (PLA) Bottling
Naturally Iowa’s main objective in conducting this study is to determine if the use of PLA containers with the product “Spoonless Yogurt Live” yields equal or better qualities in terms of flavor, nutritional value, and food safety. Also, the company will research potential Iowa manufacturers of PLA dairy bottles.
Terry Boylston, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University
Carey Novak, Associate for ISU's Institute for Physical Research and Technology
William Horner, Chief Executive Officer for Naturally Iowa, LLC.
Melissa McHarg, Writing/administrative specialist
Corn Production Strategies Helpful in Maximizing Profits and Fermentable Sugar
This project centers on research of whole plant characteristics of corn varieties and the subsequent development of a white paper capable of stimulating a new way of thinking about the corn crop.
Thomas M. Schechinger, President of IronHorse Farms Inc.
GIS Site Suitability Modeling to Identify Potential Corn Stover Collection Sites in Northern Iowa
The proposed project consists of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) site suitability modeling to identify potential sites along the Iowa Northern Railway. These sites will serve as collection and storage sites for crop residuals, alternative crops, and waste streams. The goal of this project is to begin developing a corn stover logistics system capable of moving 80,000 tons to 500,000 tons of corn stover to a processing facility.
Mônica A. Haddad, Department of Community and Regional Planning, ISU
Paul F. Anderson, Departments of Landscape Architecture and Agronomy, ISU