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Education and Outreach

The Office of Bioenergy Programs is engaged in a variety of education and outreach activities. These include academic coursework, Extension outreach, and other efforts.

  • BioSucceed
    • Funded by a USDA Higher Education Grant and working with North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T, The University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station is developing a new academic curriculum to provide that advanced workforce. BIOSUCCEED’s innovation is based on the development of a complete MS degree program that can be delivered by any of the three University partners, and via distance education. It will develop six graduate level classes, two classes aimed at undergraduates, and modules that can be inserted in individual classes. Ultimately, these classes will be offered at no cost to the national biomass community for customization by any institution around the country.
  • Plant Sciences Undergraduate Concentration in Bioenergy
    • The bioenergy concentration is intended for students who are interested in pursuing careers in the quickly-expanding biofuels and bioenergy fields. The graduate will have the background and internship experience to enter directly into the bioenergy workforce. The bioenergy industry primarily is concerned with converting plant feedstocks into liquid fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The great resurgence of industry and public support for research and development in this field will require a modern and multidisciplinary workforce.
  • Switchgrass Production Extension Program
    • As part of the UT Biofuels Initiative, UT Extension has developed a switchgrass Extension program based in Vonore, TN. Two state level specialists are stationed at this office and assist producers in establishing the dedicated energy crop as well as work with UT faculty and staff to conduct important research on the crop. UT Extension has the only dedicated switchgrass Extension program in the nation.
  • Wood Products Extension
    • Forest and wood products are an important part of the environment, culture and economy of Tennessee. The Forest Products Extension Program at the University of Tennessee exists to assist the wood products industry and the citizens of Tennessee through information transfer and applied research. Woody biomass for bioenergy is an important part of the developing bioenergy industry. The Wood Products Extension program is intimately involved in this sector of the industry, conducting educational programs and providing technical assistance.