[OKC] USDA Announces Grants to Boost Sustainable Bioenergy Education

[Miles, Karen]

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	Release No. 0014.11
Contact:
Jennifer Martin
(202) 720-8188
 
USDA Announces Grants to Boost Sustainable Bioenergy Education 
 WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2011 - USDA's National Institute of Food and
Agriculture (NIFA) announced today two grants that will create
educational opportunities in math and science for students interested in
bioenergy and bio-based products.
 "Bioenergy and bio-based products hold vast potential as the foundation
for new technologies and opportunities that could have a large impact on
rural economies, but these innovations require a trained and skilled
workforce to meet the needs of new 'bio-economies,'" said Roger Beachy,
director of NIFA. "These two significant investments will help jumpstart
the U.S. education system towards ensuring that we have enough workers
with the multi-disciplinary and problem-solving skill sets to help
America address its energy challenges."
 NIFA awarded Corinne Rutzke at Cornell University $4,999,940 to provide
teachers from grades 8 through the undergraduate level with a strong
footing in multi-disciplinary content and research-based training
materials and activities linked to the Northeast's projected feedstock
systems. Information will be shared to help teachers prepare students
for the various career options available in the bioenergy and bio-based
products field. Rutzke will partner with researchers at the University
of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Delaware State University, Pace Law School
and Ohio State University.
 Richard Amasino from the University of Wisconsin received $4,671,847
from NIFA to strengthen the regional K-16 education system, especially
at underserved schools, by supporting teacher learning in matter, energy
and ecosystem concepts. The project will also create opportunities for
students to lead their own bio-energy research, focusing on a range of
topics from sustainability to the chemistry of carbon cycles. Partner
schools include College of the Menominee Nation and Michigan State
University.
 Both projects are funded for five years through NIFA's Agriculture and
Food Research Initiative (AFRI). AFRI's sustainable bioenergy challenge
area funds grants targeting the development of regional systems for the
sustainable production of bioenergy and bio-based products that
contribute significantly to reducing dependence on foreign oil, have net
positive social, environmental and rural economic impacts and are
compatible with existing agricultural systems.
 AFRI is NIFA's flagship competitive grant program and was established
under the 2008 Farm Bill. AFRI supports work in six priority areas: 1)
plant health and production and plant products; 2) animal health and
production and animal products; 3) food safety, nutrition and health; 4)
renewable energy, natural resources and environment; 5) agriculture
systems and technology; and 6) agriculture economics and rural
communities.
 Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and
extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving
critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future.
More information is available at: www.nifa.usda.gov
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Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call
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