Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
8/8/02
Contacts:
Jill Euken, IIOF Agriculture Team Leader, 712-769-2610, jeuken@iastate.edu
Tim Sullivan, IIOF Project Manager, 515-727-0656, sullytt@iastate.edu
Jacqui Becker, IIOF Communications Specialist, 515-231-0033, jabecker@iastate.edu
Help Create a BioEconomy for Iowa's Future
AMES, IOWA--One-fourth of the world's most productive land is located in Iowa. This rich soil will be the tool Iowans can use to help the world move from the current petroleum-based economy to a biobased economy. In this biobased economy corn, soybeans, plant residue, wood waste and animal litter would be converted to energy, chemicals, plastics, fiber, animal and human food products and pharmaceuticals.
To join this agricultural and economic revolution attend the "Biobased Products and BioEnergy Symposium" in Ames on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002. The seminar is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Scheman Building on the Iowa State University campus. It is sponsored by Iowa Industries of the Future (IIOF).
"Iowa has the expertise and desire to be the leader in the biobased industry," said Tim Sullivan, IIOF Project Manager. "However, we need a strong commitment from all levels of the supply chain to provide leadership in taking Iowa down the road to the bioEconomy. This symposium will provide an opportunity for producers, processors, end users and researchers to lead Iowa in establishing an unprecedented economic growth."
Those attending will learn the results of the IIOF visioning and road mapping activities. They will also meet those involved in biobased processing and product development; researchers from the three state universities; public officials who will create policy to promote bioEconomy development; and venture capitalists whose money can fuel the development of the bioEconomy.
Each participant will be invited to join an action team that will begin to develop an environment in Iowa that promotes a stable biobased industry. The day will also feature speakers from the U.S. Dept. of Energy, National Renewable Energy Lab as well as Iowa companies currently using biobased feedstocks in their businesses.
It is the Agriculture IIOF's goal to include as many producers, industry and economic forerunners for this collaborative effort. "Participants will have a direct impact on how research dollars for the industry are allocated, and will be in a good position to evaluate investment opportunities in the biorenewables industry," said Jill Euken, Ag IIOF Team Co-leader.
The IIOF is a cooperative effort of Iowa State University, Ames Lab, Center for Industrial Research and Services (CIRAS), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Energy Center. For more information about the symposium and registration, visit the IIOF project Web site: www.ciras.iastate.edu/IOF. To register directly, go to www.lifelearner.iastate.edu/conference/online.htm.
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