MEDIA ADVISORY: MU to Host Symposium on Sustainable, Biobased Economy in Missouri and Mississippi River Corridor
Story Contact(s):
Christian Basi, BasiC@missouri.edu, 573-882-4430
WHAT: Officials from the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry will host a symposium, “The Emerging Biobased Economy: A Sustainable Alternative in the Mississippi and Missouri River Corridor,” to discuss the future of sustainable agricultural practices in the state. The symposium will serve as the inaugural meeting of the Mississippi/Missouri River Advanced Biomass/Biofuel Consortium.
Agroforestry is the practice of combining trees, crops and livestock to bring new sustainable market opportunities to the economy. According to MU experts, producers in the state of Missouri should take advantage of the river system in the state to diversify their agricultural revenues and develop a biobased economy. A biobased economy focuses on using the environment in a sustainable manner for the benefit of the economy.
Ronald Wood, former president and CEO of Black & Veatch Energy, will serve as the keynote speaker. He will be joined by several state and regional experts on agroforestry and sustainable economic practices.
WHO: Speakers include:
- Ronald Wood, Black & Veatch Energy
- Shibu Jose, University of Missouri
- Randall Powell, Powell Consulting LLC and BioDimensions
- Elizabeth Hood, Arkansas State University
- Kattesh Katti, University of Missouri
- Chung-Ho Lin, University of Missouri
Panelists include:
- Robert Myers, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Steve Flick, Show Me Energy Cooperative
- Jared Wilmes, MFA Oil Biomass
- Pete Nelson, BioDimensions
- Harry Frank, University of Missouri
- Pat Westhoff, University of Missouri
WHERE: Jesse Wrench Auditorium, Memorial Union South
MU campus
WHEN: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 11
A poster session will occur from 4 -5:30 p.m.; refreshments will be served.
NOTE: This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.centerforagroforestry.org. MORENet will stream the symposium live over the internet. To view it, please visit: http://www.more.net/content/streamed-events