ASC Will Participate in Bio Energy Awareness Days (BEAD II) in Washington, DC, in June

Alfred State College will participate in the United States Department of Agriculture's Research, Education, and Economics Agency's (USDA/REE) second annual Bio Energy Awareness Days (BEAD II) in Washington, DC, in June. The purpose of the event is to increase awareness and knowledge related to the sustainable production of agriculture-based and natural resource-based renewable energy and the efficient use and conservation of energy for the benefit of rural communities and the nation.

Land grant colleges of agriculture and forestry and other institutions of higher learning were invited to compete for inclusion by submitting proposals which would exhibit the theme of clean and efficient sustainable energy and energy conservation and efficiency based on their programs and expertise.

Proposals were centered around the colleges' visions of U.S. agriculture and/or forestry's contribution to the energy economy in 2017, the roles they intend to create for themselves in that environment, and how those roles will attain the following:

• Increasing production of renewable energy and alternative fuels,
• Delivering that energy to consumers,
• Meeting consumer demand, and
• Enhancing sustainability, conservation, and energy efficiency.

Alfred State College, which will highlight workforce development in renewable energy through organic agriculture and hydroponics with LED lights, and biodiesel reactor, photovoltaic, and wind energy, is in good company. Other exhibitors include Auburn University, Cornell University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Kansas State University, Lincoln University, Louisiana State University Agriculture Center, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University, Penn State University, Sun Grant Initiative, Texas A&M University/Texas Agrilite Research, University of Arkansas, University of Florida/IFAS, University of Georgia, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture, University of Illinois, University of Maine, University of Maryland, University of Nevada (Reno), University of Tennessee, University of Tennessee Extension, Washington State University, Iowa State University, SUNY Cobleskill, and Ohio State University.

These exhibitors will present their respective visions at the Whitten Building, the site of this year's Bio Energy Awareness Day II. Additionally, there will be exhibits from USDA agencies and other US government departments; and private sector organizations.

It is expected that more than 8,000 people will view the exhibits.