The Food and Fuel Initiative: Iowa
Led
by Seed Science Center Director Manjit K. Misra, the Food and Fuel
Initiative: Iowa was established by a grant from the USDA
in August 2008.
Initiative scientists research the processes used
in biofuels production. They address public safety issues involved with
the processes and offer science-based answers that benefit consumers
and promote economic development in Iowa.
Eighth BIGMAP Symposium (Co-Sponsored by Food and Fuel Initiative: Iowa) Examines Agricultural Co-existence, Choice, and Sustainability
Over 110 ag industry leaders, scientists, and experts from around the world attended the Eighth BIGMAP Symposium April 19 & 20 at the Gateway Hotel in Ames, Iowa.This year's 1 1/2 day event, titled "Co-existence,
Choice, and Sustainability for Crop Production" examined differing ag technologies and the importance for assuring choice in the types of crops and cropping systems that will support the expanding worlwide needs for food, feed, fiber, and fuel production.
Speakers included: Peter Jahr, Member of the European Parliament; Getachew Belay, Senior Biotechnology
Policy Advisor, Common
Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA); Maria Alejandra Sarquis, IICA Agricultural Representative for Chile and Executive Secretariat of CAS; Lois Wright Morton, Professor of Sociology, ISU; Chet Boruff, CEO, AOSCA; jim Bair, VIce President, North American Millers' Association; Lowell Rheinheimer, Farm Resources Manager,Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative; Lynn Clarkson, President, Clarkson Grain Company; Rikin Gandhi,
Executive Officer,
Digital Green, India; Dennis Garrity, Director General,
World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF); Rick Hellmich, Research
Entomologist, USDA/ARS; Marty Matlock, Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, U. of Arkansas, Dick Thompson, Boone County, Iowa, Producer; Kathleen Delate, Professor of Agronomy & Horticulture, ISU; and others.
