The Iowa State University BioCentury Research Farm is the first-in-the-nation integrated research and demonstration facility dedicated to biomass production and processing. Biomass includes lignocellulosic crops, crop residues and grain. It is internationally recognized as the home of cutting-edge bioeconomy science and engineering.
Since 2009, the BioCentury Research Farm has served as the home for innovative and sustainable research and development utilizing some of the most plentiful raw materials available in Iowa: corn, soybeans, crop residues, grasses and algae. During that time, BCRF has led and supported over $85M in grant funding and supports more than 50 sponsored research and industry service projects each year.
The more than 260 undergraduate students who have been employed at the facility have gone on to careers at leading companies in the agriculture and engineering industries, including John Deere, Caterpillar, Inc., Corteva, Gross Wen Technologies, SpaceX and many more.
From research and development to product and system production, the entire supply chain is represented at the BioCentury Research Farm. The work done at this facility accelerates innovation and production capacity associated with biobased fuels, chemicals and products. Through developing new patents, supporting Iowa-based businesses and hosting research, the BioCentury Research Farm plays a key role in furthering economic development in the Iowa State community and across the Midwest.
Collaborations for developing sustainable technologies provide solutions that pave the way to meet national energy, economic and environmental directives. The BioCentury Research Farm is a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences facility.
Key Components
- Research that brings together scientific expertise to address biomass cropping systems, biofuel and bioproduct processing, logistics of biomass supply, and positive environmental effects such as nutrient recycling back to the land.
- Facilities for educating future scientists, producers, and extension experts.
- Outreach that demonstrates economic, social, and environmental viability of biorenewable energy and biobased products production to producers, manufacturers, policy makers, and the public.
- Partner with companies that will work with Iowa State in collaborative research, development, and demonstration.