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Grass2Gas: A USDA-NIFA Sustainable Agricultural Systems Project



Summary

C-CHANGE: Grass2Gas is advancing research, education, and extension to support development of a new biobased value chain. The multi-institutional team is assessing ways in which perennials and winter crops can be used more widely as feedstock for anaerobic digestion. The novelty of the project lies in leveraging a successful business model based on the digestion of manure to encompass new agricultural feedstocks, more diverse products, and increased value throughout the supply chain. 

 

Link to Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Enviorment

 

 

 

Link to Roeslein

 

 

 

Download a one-page summary of the project here.


Just getting started? Check out these resources:

 

Iowa State University explores win-win potential of grass-powered energy production Iowa State University news article, July 2024

On-Farm Biogas System Opportunities: Increase Farm Sustainability with Biogas Production 
Penn State Extension webinar, March 2023

Understanding the Science of Biogas Production 
Penn State Extension webinar, April 2022

What is anaerobic digestion?  
Iowa Learning Farm infographic


Publications for more information

Can manure application method and timing with cover crops reduce NH3 and N2O gas losses and sustain corn yield? Agronomy Journal, July 2024

Responses to Outstanding Stakeholder Questions: Supplemental Document to 2023 Grass2Gas Iowa, Pennsylvania, and National Workshop Proceedings  Iowa State Digital Repository, June 2024

Cultivating Collaboration: Mid-project Summary for the Grass2Gas Project  Iowa State University Digital Repository, April 2024

Measuring changes in financial and ecosystem service outcomes with simulated grassland restoration in a Corn Belt watershed
Frontiers, August 2022

Redefining marginal land for bioenergy crop production
GCB Bioenergy, August 2022

Meeting global challenges with regenerative agriculture producing food and energy
Nature Sustainability, December 2021

See Table Below for More Publications


In Depth

C-CHANGE USDA-NIFA CAP CoverC-CHANGE is advancing research, education, and extension to support development of a new biobased value chain. This effort will examine production of renewable natural gas and associated bioproducts through the anaerobic digestion of herbaceous biomass combined with manure. The novelty of the project lies in leveraging a successful business model based on the digestion of manure to encompass new agricultural feedstocks, more diverse products, and increased value throughout the supply chain.

C-CHANGE provides integrated activities directed toward feedstock diversification, modulari­zation, process intensification, and stakeholder engagement to reduce supply chain risks, increase product value, and improve production, profitability, and sustainability. Our work is motivated by the pressing need to alleviate social, eco­nomic, and environmental concerns associated with current agricultural sys­tems, and to foster new economic development in rural America.

Find our funded USDA-NIFA Sustainable Agricultural Systems program grant proposal here (pdf).

Find proposal team members here. The team is actively adding faculty, staff, postdocs, and students for additional capacity and impact.