Faculty help MU go green

Researchers in the college and at the MU Center for Agroforestry holding wood chips.

Tagged As

Photography by Kyle Spradley.

The University of Missouri has pushed the frontiers of research and scholarship for nearly two centuries. Faculty inventors and creators — including online educators — share discoveries with students and link Missouri industry, agriculture, emerging businesses and innovative ideas.

One such effort involving distance-learning faculty is the biomass boiler at MU’s power plant. The 100 percent biomass-fueled boiler went on line in 2013, joining an older, conventional plant in generating heat and power for the MU campus. Up to 40 percent of the plant’s total fuel is expected to come from sustainably sourced biomass.

In expanding their use of renewable fuels, power plant staff sought the assistance of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources to help develop sustainable biomass resources.

Researchers in the college and at the MU Center for Agroforestry established research plots to test various species of trees as energy crops, while developing guidelines to protect the sustainability and health of the forests.

Many of the researchers working on the MU power plant biofuel project also teach courses in the online master's degree program in agroforestry.

The first such degree program in the nation, the online master’s in agroforestry prepares professionals to advise landowners on how to diversify farm income; improve soil, water and air quality; sequester carbon; and increase biodiversity.

If you want to work with industry-leading researchers and broaden your career opportunities in forestry, agriculture or resource management, explore MU’s 100-percent online master’s in agroforestry.

Tagged As