From AgriNewsIf there was an award for traveling the longest distance to Staples' Agriculture and Energy Center field day, Loren Forrest of Luverne would be a strong contender. Forrest made the five- hour trip recently to learn more about miscanthus. The plant is one of several energy crops in trial plots at the Central Lakes College's Ag and Energy Center. The innovative farmer is growing the crop near Luverne but has plans to expand its production in South Dakota. The key to the Staples research is the soil. The center and surrounding area has sandy soils. So does the area in South Dakota where Forrest may grow more miscanthus. He was interested in how the crop thrives in sandy soils and what researchers have discovered about the crop's production. Forrest also gained an insight to a variety of crops including camelina, prairie cordgrass, switchgrass and more. "After years of work, we want you to ask the question: Is an energy crop something to consider for your farm?" said center director Bob Schafer. "We believe it is. It's a way to diversity your income."
Read the entire AgriNews article at
http://www.agrinews.com/staples/takes/the/lead/on/locally/generated/biomass/research
