Georgia County Government - December 2008 - (Page 32)

Participants in a University of Georgia biofuels workshop learn the finer points of biofuels development from UGA researchers. Stephanie Schupska, UGA CAES Slash, or post-timber harvest waste, is abundantly available in Georgia and has demonstrated potential in the development of cellulosic ethanol. Brytten Steed, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org EXTENSION continued from page 31 Research Alliance eminent scholar Steven Knapp, UGA researchers Jeff Dean and Joe Nairn, DOE researcher Mark Davis and U.S. Department of Agriculture researcher Laura Marek received $1.2 million to study the genomics of the sunflower. “Certain wild species of sunf lower produce woody stems and high biomass yields, often reaching heights of 18 to 21 feet,” Knapp said. “Our grant focuses on understanding genetic mechanisms underlying wood production and biomass accumulation in sunflower.” Jeffrey Bennetzen, the Norman and Doris Giles/Georgia Research Alliance professor of molecular genetics in FCAS, received the second grant for $1.295 million. It will fund a cooperative project with Katrien Devos, a CAES professor of crop and soil science and plant biology. They hope to develop genetic and genomic tools to study foxtail millet, a close relative of switchgrass. Switchgrass is an excellent source of biomass for producing ethanol. Unlike corn, it is a perennial that grows on poor soil with little water, fertilizer or pesticides. “E t h a nol f rom s w it c h g r a s s i s a very different story from ethanol from maize grain,” Bennetzen said. “Ethanol from maize grain requires large inputs and produces no net carbon capture to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Switchgrass captures carbon dioxide very effectively 32 GEORGIA COUNTY GOVERNMENT and will not lead to increased food costs because it does not take acreage away from food production.” But switchgrass has limitations. Researchers need to find more efficient ways to convert lignocellulose, the material that makes up wood, leaves, stems, into ethanol. Learning more about foxtail millet, Bennetzen said, will help. It’s easier to study than switchgrass. “Once the foxtail millet genome is sequenced, we will be able to quickly find the genes involved in making lignocellulose in foxtail millet, and this will make them easy to find in switchgrass Our Future Depends on Smart Decisions By Jeff Christie, Liaison, ACCG / UGA Cooperative Extension CCG produced a DVD titled “From IF to WHEN,” detailing the eventuality of a pandemic flu. When considering the development and use of alternative energies, especially biofuels, that same line of “from if to when” thinking should prevail. Georgia is well positioned to be a major player in the production of fuel from renewable sources. We are blessed with an abundant and diverse supply of biological resources which have potential for biofuels development. Some of the nation’s most outstanding research and development professionals are working right here in our state. When a county or region in Georgia wants to know the implications of recruiting or supporting biofuels development, the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development is a great place to start. Faculty members at the Center can aid local officials in developing a feasibility study, often required as a step in the planning or granting process. Using a model which considers a wide range of factors and statewide implications, the study includes an economic impact analysis which previews how the proposed activity will influence the economics of the county/region. This analysis can also help predict changes in tax revenue and indicate the potential for employment, both directly and indirectly. Officials are repeatedly called upon to make decisions which affect their community’s progress and direction. To make the most well-informed decisions possible, we all need to consider the array of resources available in support of the educational and decision-making processes. The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Cooperative Extension are home to a great many of these resources. A http://www.Bugwood.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - December 2008

Georgia County Government - December 2008 Contents President's Message County Matters 2009 Legislative Forecast: ACCG's Platform for the Coming Legislative Session ACCG Policy Staff 2008 Legislative Awards Honor Georgia Lawmakers Cell Towers and Local Governments Oglethorpe Power Plans Biomass Electric Facilities Georgia's Grand Old Courthouses: Dawson County Extension News: Biofuels Development Research Corner: Implementing a Record Retention Policy County Parade Index of Advertisers/Advertiser.com

Georgia County Government - December 2008

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