Composite Products

Resource, Nov 2007 by Probyn, Laura

Gould and Matuana are planning to submit another funding proposal to the Michigan Biomass Energy Program and are looking to other funding sources, both through grants and the private sector. They also want to begin work on marketing plans.

Though the field of new, environmentally friendly materials could have positive economic impacts on the construction, nursery, and possibly even the forestry industries, Gould is pondering the possibilities for his primary audience: farms and rural communities.

"There is a limited land base for manure application. Keeping Michigan's livestock industry strong and viable means we have to find a home for the manure generated by these farms," Gould says. "Why not make products from manure that benefit society, add value to the farming operation, and at the same time, fit nicely into a sustainable manure management system? At the end of the day, it's really all about sustainability."

Laura Probyn is the communications manager for ANR Communications, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University Extension, East Lansing; probyn@anr.msu.edu.