Murray State University will host a Regional Agri-Energy Field Day at the MSU Pullen Farm and Arboretum Pavilion on Thursday, August 5, 2010. Registration will begin at noon, followed by a luncheon. The program will begin directly afterward at 1:30. This event is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, through the combined efforts of the following organizations: Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence, U.S. Department of Energy, Governors Office of Agricultural Policy, and Murray State University The Agri-Energy Field Day will consist of speakers addressing the current state of Agri-Energy and the future possibilities, including availability of funding for on-farm energy efficiency upgrades and new crop possibilities. Attendees will get the opportunity to see demonstration plots of potential Agri-Energy crops. Additionally, Murray State will announce the launching of a specific West Kentucky AgBioWorks Initiative, a joint cooperative venture of the West Kentucky Center for Emerging Technology, the MSU Regional Business Innovation Center, School of Agriculture, College of Science Engineering and Technology, College of Business, the Regional Stewardship and Outreach Office, and Memphis AgBioworks.

According to Tony Brannon, Dean of the School of Agriculture, “The evolving field of renewable agri-energy has truly ushered in a new era in agriculture – an era in which we need to be informed and provide leadership. The School of Agriculture recognizes its important mission to enhance the agricultural, educational, economical, and cultural opportunities for the people of its service region. One of our specific goals/objectives is to provide public and university service to support the educational and technical needs of agriculture students and the agriculture industry of the service region. This vision and mission parallels the objective of the Regional Agri-Energy Field Day.”

The FREE event is open to the public. Farmers, agriculturalists and community members are especially invited to attend. Reservations are not required, but encouraged as it will provide a more accurate number for luncheon preparation. Please RSVP to 270-809-3556. For more information on the event, contact rhea.wright@murraystate.edu and/or visit the School of Agriculture website at www.murraystate.edu/agr.
--30--

This entry was posted by Jayme Gordon on Friday, July 23. 2010 at 09:20. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own blog.