By Angela Hatton
Murray, KY – Switchgrass, sweet sorghum, sunflowers, and energy beets are some of the crops western Kentucky farmers could grow next year as part of a biomass research initiative. AgBioworks Regional Initiative Director Pete Wilson says they hope to find plant-based alternatives to petroleum products.
"All of this comes out of a five-state, ninety-eight county study that included 50 different organizations, 23 different companies that was concluded in 2009, which is the only regional sort of business plan for biobased products and new crops that's been developed across the US."
Wilson says biomass markets include more than biofuel. Other uses include power for electrical plants, ingredients in high-gloss coating for paper, and additives in plastics and paints. Participating farmers begin growing the new crops next year.