Student Voice at NABC: The Concept

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Fay Karen Anthony
5 years ago
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1 Student Voice at NABC: The Concept To help increase graduate-student participation at NABC conferences, the Student Voice at NABC initiative was launched ahead of NABC 19. Grants of $500 1 were offered to graduate students at NABC-member institutions (one student per institution) to assist with travel and lodging expenses. Registration fees were waived for the grant winners. Student Voice delegates are expected to attend all of the annual-meeting plenary sessions as well as the breakout workshops then to meet as a group to identify current and emerging issues relevant to the conference subject matter. For the inaugural Student Voice, the students discussions were focused on agricultural biofuels and agricultural biotechnology in general. Their report to NABC 19 is provided on pages The Student Voice grants for NABC 20 Reshaping American Agriculture to Meet its Biofuel and Biopolymer Roles, hosted by the Ohio State University at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Columbus, OH, June 3 5, 2008 will be up to a maximum of $750. Information: 213

2 214 Agricultural Biofuels: Technology, Sustainability and Profitability

3 Student Voice 1 at NABC 19 Clairmont Clementson Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Arijit Mukherjee Clemson University Clemson, SC Sarah Collier Boyce Thompson Institute Ithaca, NY Haluk Gedikoglu University of Missouri Columbia, MO Chinnadurai Karunanithy 2 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Thomas Niehaus University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Kari Perez 2 Cornell University Ithaca, NY Buck Wilson Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Alissa Meyer Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Key Issues for Agricultural Biofuels Public awareness/education is needed on biofuels, emphasizing potential environmental benefits, effects on greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, and possible effects with regard to crude oil import bill/kyoto Protocol. A comprehensive approach is needed, involving plant breeders, agronomists, bioprocess engineers, biotechnologists and microbiologists. New varieties of energy crops/trees/shrubs have to be developed with higher productivity, greater bulk density and less lignin content with low inputs of water and fertilizers. Pre-treatment and enzymes are the most costly components of ethanol production. Many groups are working on these aspects, but effort should be intensified to reduce ethanol cost so that it can compete with fossil fuels. 1The Student Voice concept is described on page Ms. Perez and Mr. Karunanithy reported briefly on the Student Voice discussions at the conclusion of NABC

4 Develop of microorganisms for simultaneous fermentation of pentoses and hexoses in biomass. Introduce flexible-fuel vehicles with higher mileage. In order to meet the US government goal by 2025, at least 2 billion gallons of biodiesel should be produced. The transesterification process produces biodiesel and glycerol; disposability of the latter must be addressed. Butanol is a viable alternative to ethanol/gasoline owing to its higher energy content as well as direct use in existing cars. Economic and social implications: Once competitive cellulosic ethanol technology is available, there will be competition between food and fuel. Farmers will decide on crops/land-use patterns based on income. This will lead to land scarcity, therefore, there is need to develop marginal lands for energy crops. If all agricultural residues are harvested as biomass, the issue of soil-fertility maintenance must be addressed. Like starch ethanol, there should be long-term incentives/tax benefits for cellulosic ethanol. Student Voice grants should be continued. Key Issues for Agricultural Biotechnology Education and outreach K 12 outreach; identify what is biotechnology and what are the risks and non-risks. Intellectual property Address patenting issues (public sector vs. private ownership) Address issues of biopiracy. Develop GMO regulations and policy that are uniform and reconcile public and scientific concerns and promote application Stress importance of separate policies for edible food crops vs. non-edible GMO applications Emphasize research for the genetic control of transgenes. 216 Agricultural Biofuels: Technology, Sustainability and Profitability

5 PART VI Participants 217

Part I Conference Overview. Agricultural Biofuels: Technology, Sustainability and Profitability 3 Allan Eaglesham & Ralph W.F.

Part I Conference Overview. Agricultural Biofuels: Technology, Sustainability and Profitability 3 Allan Eaglesham & Ralph W.F. Part I Conference Overview Agricultural Biofuels: Technology, Sustainability and Profitability 3 Allan Eaglesham & Ralph W.F. Hardy Agricultural Biofuels: Technology, Sustainability and Profitability Agricultural