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This project addresses Land Grant research, education and extension functions in a complementary and comprehensive manner. Importantly, this collaborative project is between two regions within the NIWQP (Great Lakes and Heartland) that also fall within significant grain-based ethanol and biodiesel production areas of the country (Figures 1 and 2). The project objectives, results and long-term outcomes are focused on a highly inclusive model of citizen interest and is aimed at empowering stakeholders and the public to make well-informed decisions that respect local economies and the environment. <ul> <LI> Identify and clarify outreach and applied research priorities for Land Grant Universities addressing energy independence, bioenergy generation and environmental sustainability - and preparing the Extension workforce to address those priorities. <LI> Increase the understanding among Extension educators and community leaders of the potential implications of production of fuel and fiber crops on soil, water, and wildlife habitat resources. Improve understanding of the costs (socio-economic-ecological) associated with bioenergy generation, and subsequently the development of applied model(s) for evaluating bioenergy alternatives in the context of local community decisions and public policy discussions.<LI> Increase interest, skills and confidence for Cooperative Extension involvement on issues related to energy independence, bioenergy generation and environmental sustainability. <LI> Develop public policy education principles and curriculum (e.g., public participation and civic engagement models) for Cooperative Extension agents and educators that address biofuels - ultimately the incorporation of professional development core curriculum/competency into the national training program Foundations of Practice, as an Area of Specialization in BioEnergy. <LI> Foster more informed community/public engagement in decisions about energy independence, bioenergy generation and environmental sustainability.<LI> Develop institutional interest and infrastructure for a longer-term eXtension initiative on energy independence, bioenergy generation and environmental sustainability.
Non-Technical Summary: The emergence of the bioeconomy and its focus on energy development from Midwest agriculture in particular, has significant ramifications for the environmental and economic well-being of the region. The positive and negative implications associated with land and water use changes (as farm production patterns change)will be felt in terms of each of the NIWQP priority themes: Animal Waste Management, Drinking Water and Human Health, Environmental Restoration, Nutrient and Pest Management, Pollution Prevention, Watershed Management, Water Conservation and Agricultural Water Management and Economics. What is lacking is a comprehensive understanding of the myriad of positive and negative implications associated with land and water use changes, including how best to: 1) provide a research-based understanding of the issues, and 2) provide a robust outreach program that engages communities and key stakeholder interests - in appropriate decision making. The project will focus on a highly inclusive model of citizen interest and is aimed at empowering stakeholders and the public to make well-informed decisions that respect local economies and the environment. <P> Approach: Component 1: Staff Development Via Regional and National Training: Phase One - Assessing needs and designing the curriculum (years 1-2) Activities include: 1. Assess and analyze professional development needs of target audience. 2. Conduct regional discussion forum to assist in need identification and understanding. 3. Develop curriculum outline. 4. Create and/or modify existing training materials. 5. Identify trainers (teachers) that would include Land Grant University faculty and private sector experts (those involved in biofuel facility experiences). Phase Two - Pilot Training is Offered in Heartland and Great Lakes Regions (years 2-3): 1. The initial training would be offered as a pilot program in the USDA North Central Region (two of the current Section 406 Regions: Heartland and Great Lakes). 2. The pilot training would most likely be a multiple session program offered over a 12-18 month time frame. 3. Evaluation and refinement of the initial pilot would occur in 2009 prior to the beginning of Phase Three. Evaluation of the pilot (more fully described below) will focus on both the effectiveness and quality of the workshop/event; and the application of the information and skills taught at the workshop/event. Phase Three - Training is Offered Nationally (years 3-4): 1. The pilot training program will be offered nationally to NIWQP regions outside of the North Central Region. 2. Enhance training, develop a strategic plan for how to use distance education techniques and web-based teaching tools to deliver some of the training to national audiences (most likely to occur beyond year 4). 3. Establish a new eXtension Community of Practice around this issue. COMPONENT 2: Development of Assessment and Evaluation Protocol(s) for Bioenergy Generation 1. Involve stakeholders in problem identification 2. Develop decision matrices that could be used in both local education programs and also in the context of public meetings and decision making venues at the community level. COMPONENT 3: Migrate project results into a longer-term national commitment to a Community of Practice (CoP) for an eXtension project and to training and professional development opportunities related to biofuels and the bioeconomy within the Foundations of Practice as an "Area of Specialization." In years 3-4 a sub-group would be formed to develop an eXtension proposal. That proposal would address: A comprehensive workplan and funding proposal. Access to the clearinghouse of socioeconomic data. Access to extension materials (fact sheets, project reports, etc.) that state extension services and public officials would share. A complete section of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Learning Modules, etc. and a functioning Ask the Expert protocol.