A Concept to Solve
America's Energy Needs
and Revitalize Rural
Communities with
Land-grant University
Research, Education,
and Extension Programs
on Renewable Energy
and Biobased, Non-food
Industries.

South Dakota State University
Cornell University
Oklahoma State University
Oregon State University
University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Concept
The Sun Grant Initiative is a national network of land-grant universities and U.S. Department of Energy laboratories partnering to build a biobased economy.

Land-grant institutions would broaden their responsibilities beyond traditional agricultural issues.

Sun Grant institutions would be charged with making significant advances in biobased industries for the benefit of America's independent farmers, rural communities, and public at large.

Mission
Through development, distribution, and implementation of biobased energy technologies:

Enhance America's national energy security through development, distribution and implementation of biobased energy technologies.

Promote diversification and environmental sustainability of America's agriculture.

Promote opportunities for biobased economic diversification in America's rural communities.

Implementing
a biobased economy through the Sun Grant Initiative is being led by five, regional, land-grant universities that have biomass production potentials and current involvement in bioenergy research:

   South Dakota State University
   Oregon State University
   Oklahoma State University
   University of Tennessee-Knoxville
   Cornell University

These regional centers will emphasize research, higher education, and Extension programs on renewable energy and biobased industries.

- Authorization Language