Category: Media Coverage

The University of Iowa has signed a new contract with a Wisconsin company to make fuel pellets out of miscanthus grass and other feedstocks to replace coal.

As part of the 10-year deal, Convergen Energy, based in Green Bay, will build a manufacturing plant within 45 miles of Iowa City by July 2028. Convergen has been making fuel pellets for the UI since 2016. The pellets are a mix of chopped miscanthus grass, paper pulp and non-recyclable materials, such as waxy candy wrappers. Burning the pellets in boilers produces 60% less carbon dioxide than coal.

Read the full story here.
Originally published by The Gazette on July 24, 2026.

Reducing on-campus greenhouse gas emissions has been a long-term goal at the University of Iowa, and miscanthus is making a big difference. This tall perennial grass can be processed into fuel pellets, which helped the university achieve its goal of being coal free by 2025.

This article discusses the history of the University of Iowa’s efforts to do away with coal, research on miscanthus as a renewable alternative fuel source, and miscanthus’s place in the larger discussion of sustainable agricultural production.

Read the full story here.
Originally published by The Gazette on June 15, 2026.

Research from the University of Illinois and partner scientists on miscanthus, a fast-growing perennial grass with potential for sustainable fuels, bioproducts, and climate-smart agriculture, is featured in the Chicago Tribune. The article highlights how this versatile crop could strengthen rural economies, reduce carbon footprints compared with traditional row crops, and bolster U.S. biofuel and material markets.

Read the full story here.
Originally published by the Chicago Tribune on Dec. 8, 2025

A Maryland farmer is finding new opportunity in miscanthus, a tall, perennial grass increasingly used as a sustainable alternative to traditional poultry bedding. Featured in Farm Progress, the story highlights how miscanthus offers strong absorbency, low dust, and reliable supply — qualities that appeal to poultry producers facing rising input costs and material shortages.

The article underscores how diversifying into miscanthus can provide farmers with an additional revenue stream while supporting more sustainable agricultural systems. As demand grows for renewable and regionally sourced materials, miscanthus is emerging as a practical, climate-smart option for both crop and poultry operations.

Read the full story here.
Originally published by Farm Progress on July 30, 2025.

PBS NewsHour released a special report, featuring BIH Director Emily Heaton and other experts, examining the pressures facing U.S. agriculture, from climate variability and soil degradation to market uncertainty and shifting policy landscapes. The program explores how farmers, researchers, and institutions are responding with innovation, data-driven practices, and long-term resilience strategies.

The special highlights the role of science and technology in strengthening food systems while balancing productivity, environmental stewardship and economic viability. It underscores agriculture’s critical moment — and the collaborative efforts underway to shape a more sustainable future.

Read the full story here.
Originally published by PBS NewsHour on May 19, 2023