Training, Tour Bode Well at Big Flats Facility

Representatives from local universities, government organizations, agriculture-focused companies, and private landowners met July 31, 2008 for an in-depth training session and facility tour of the Big Flats, New York Plant Materials Center.

This yearly event draws record crowds interested in the continuing development of warm season grasses, herbicide management, cellulosic ethanol testing, and numerous other projects that are conducted at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s 203-acre center.

Attendees enjoy an informative guided tour of the Big Flats Plant Materials Center facility.

The Big Flats Plant Material Center is one of a national network of plant centers dedicated to providing vegetative solutions to conservation problems. The facility serves a wide variety of land users in the Northeast and has been in operation since 1960. The center is equipped for the collection, testing, and release of well-adapted, desirable plants to contribute to the conservation, improvement, and sustainability of our natural resources and the environment.

“Meeting for training at the Plant Materials Center provides attendees an understanding of our operation and to see our research plots and conservation plants in the field,” stated Martin Van Der Grinten, NRCS’ Director for the Big Flats Plant Material Center. “It allows for interaction and networking between NRCS employees and partners from other agencies working on similar natural resource concerns.”

Of great interest and importance to numerous stakeholders, the facility hosted a driving tour to the planting sites of various switchgrass varieties and fast-growing willows. These two plants are currently being developed and tested for cellulosic ethanol, a biofuel that many consider to be a viable alternative fuel and energy source for the future. NRCS has been growing and evaluating switchgrass since the 1940’s, which has recently been identified as a highly sustainable alternative energy source because of its growth potential and adaptability.

“Switchgrass has received national attention due to its potential to produce large biomass yields with low fertility requirements and with a single late cut harvest,” said Paul Salon, NRCS plant specialist. “This results in a potentially higher reduction in greenhouse gas emissions than most other biofeedstock systems when converted to ethanol compared to petroleum fuel.”

Also included in the tour was discussion about effective pest control and herbicide management, seed handling, and the early success of Root Production Method (RPM) trees. These trees were developed by the RPM Ecosystems Company, and are gaining positive attention for their rapid growth and survivability. Subject matter experts in numerous fields, from both the United States and Canada, held lectures on alternative energy source development, including the manufacturing of a mobile pelletizer, a start-up company that will convert grass cuttings into energy pellets at private farms.

Attendees valued the education and hands-on training, and will take this knowledge back to their organizations, and share it with their coworkers. The more opportunities to exchange ideas and techniques have a beneficial impact on making alternative energy more accessible and common place.

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