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Bioeconomy, Bioenergy, and Bioproducts (B3) Programs

The Bioeconomy, Bioenergy, Bioproduct (B3) Program Portfolio supports research, extension, and education related to the enhancement of rural economic development, climate change, environmental services, and food and energy security. 

The program aims to facilitate the development of sustainable regional production systems for biofuels, biopower, and biobased products, for increased rural economic vitality and national energy security through partnerships and collaboration.

NIFA helps develop a sustainable bioeconomy, through bioenergy and bioproducts.

Creating Value

NIFA creates value by linking researchers, landowners, communities, and private industry to advance a thriving bioeconomy that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable to promote U.S. economic prosperity.

Delivering Benefits

NIFA delivers benefits from research, development, demonstration, extension, and education at the nexus of rural economic development, climate adaptation, environmental services, food security, and national energy security.

Benefits of developing a sustainable bioeconomy, through bioenergy, and bioproducts

EconomicEnvironmentalSocial
Support new markets for farmers and ranchersReduce carbon emissionsEnable domestic job creation - rural and urban
Support sustainable regional biomass crops and
supply chains
Improve ecosystem servicesDevelop a strong and capable workforce in growth
industries
Facilitate bioproducts, biomaterials, and advanced
biofuel development
Sustain agricultural and food systemsReduce dependence on foreign oil
Validate commercialization concept  

Goal

Secure a robust bioeconomy that enhances communities, job growth, and agricultural productivity promoting U.S. competitiveness.

Objectives

NIFA has several objectives in this area:

  • Champion translation of science to technology for bioproducts and bioenergy proof of concept and demonstration.;
  • Develop regionally-appropriate feedstocks and optimize feedstock logistics for regional concept validation.;
  • Develop the bioenergy and biomanufacturing workforce through targeted education and outreach.;
  • Promote community engagement in bioeconomy enterprise.; and
  • Promote private-public partnerships to champion bioeconomy development.

Featured Impacts

  • Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and its consortium partners, Cornell University, Clemson University, and USDA’s Agricultural Research Service produced several sets of concept passenger car tires in which all the natural and synthetic rubber is replaced by guayule natural rubber. Guayule is a shrub grown primarily in the Southwestern United States.

    According to Chuck Yurkovitch, Cooper's Senior Vice President, "The results of this grant have been groundbreaking. Never before has it been proven that guayule is a viable source of domestically produced natural rubber for the tire industry. However, through the combined effort of industry, government and academia, the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) team has unequivocally demonstrated just that." 

    NIFA supported the research through the BRDI program. Read about guayule tires.
     
  • An Alaska Airlines Flight landed at Washington National Airport from Seattle Tacoma International Airport and its arrival marked the first commercial flight powered by a new renewable fuel made of wood waste, a cellulosic biofuel blended with, and indistinguishable from traditional jet fuel. The biofuel was one of many successful outcomes of the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance, led by Washington State University.

    Since its launch in 2011, this five-year, $39 million project has advanced research into biofuels and biochemicals, fostered the Northwest regional biofuel industry and helped educate tomorrow’s workforce on renewable energy. Thirty-two member organizations contributed to research, education and extension efforts that reached 38,724 K-12 students, 845 teachers, 213 undergraduate students, 199 graduate students, and 380 stakeholder groups. The project produced 44 publications, 135 news stories, 250 conference presentations, and posted more than 300 social media posts.

    Moreover, the Alaska Airlines flight was the biggest news story of the year for the airline, generating 313 articles, 200 broadcast stories, and 22,000 likes, shares, and social media comments within 48 hours of the flight.

    NARA was funded through NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative's Coordinated Agricultural Projects program. Read about the historic flight in Architectural Digest.

 

 

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