By Andi Anderson
Iowa Learning Farms will host a free virtual field day focused on comparing greenhouse gas emissions from different feedstocks used in bioenergy production.
The event will take place on January 22 at 1 p.m. Central time and is open to anyone interested in bioenergy and environmental sustainability.
The virtual field day is being held in partnership with C-CHANGE: Grass2Gas. It will feature a live discussion with Hyeonji Song, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University.
Participants will learn about current research that examines renewable natural gas and related bioproducts created through the anaerobic digestion of plant biomass and manure.
Grass2Gas is studying how different plant biomass feedstocks impact greenhouse gas emissions when used in bioenergy systems. The research team is working to understand how cropping practices and fertilizer use affect the environmental footprint of renewable fuel production.
Song explained the importance of this work in the following statement:
“Nitrous oxide is one of the major greenhouse gases, and agriculture accounts for 50% of nitrous oxide emissions, mainly through fertilizer applications,” said Song. “Cropping system emissions of nitrous oxide is an important factor in calculating the carbon intensity of biofuels. Our core hypothesis is that adding nitrogen fertilizer to prairie to increase its biomass production as a bioenergy feedstock will not increase nitrous oxide emissions.”
This research aims to help producers, researchers, and policymakers make better decisions about how to balance energy production with environmental protection.
The virtual field day is open to the public at no cost. Participants are encouraged to prepare questions for the live discussion.
Attendees can join through an online meeting platform or by dialing in through a phone line using provided access numbers. The session will be recorded and archived for future viewing.
Participants may also be eligible to receive Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units. Details about applying for and receiving CEU credits will be shared at the end of the event.
This educational event provides a valuable opportunity for farmers, educators, and agriculture professionals to learn about emerging bioenergy technologies and how they can be developed in more environmentally responsible ways.
By sharing current research and encouraging open discussion, Iowa Learning Farms continues to support informed decision-making and promote sustainable practices across the agricultural community.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-livingimages
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Education