Funded Projects 2004
Current: 2005 Awards
Four Biobased Reseach Projects Receive Grant Funding
The BioEconomy Working Group, part of the Value Chains Partnerships for Sustainable Agriculture project, recently awarded funds for four new research projects. These research projects focus on supporting new and existing value chains for a more sustainable agriculture. A value chain is described as a string of companies or collaborating players who work together to satisfy market demands for specific products or services.
Three requests approved will research various aspects of kenaf, a potential new crop in Iowa. Kenaf is a plant in the hibiscus family, related to cotton and okra. It has many potential application, including animal and pet bedding, and composite decking materials.
A research group from Poweshiek County, Iowa, will explore sustainability issues related to growing, harvesting and marketing kenaf in Iowa. To do this, the researchers will explore options to diversify Iowa’s cropping system by organizing study tours to gain knowledge of existing production practices.
Another group will research business strategies for kenaf producers. The group will work to design value chains for biobased products that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.
The third project, submitted by the Creative Horizons producer organization, will research and develop a quality testing system for natural fibers. After a protocol has been developed, tests will be conducted to evaluate the fiber quality of natural fibers grown in various parts of the world where kenaf is grown, including Iowa.
The fourth project will study the logistics of harvesting, collecting and transporting corn stover along the Missouri River. This study will add to the growing body of data related to the sustainability of harvesting corn stover as a feedstock for biobased processing.