Building a Resilient Global Bioeconomy Through a Regional Partnership.
Carinata (Ethiopian mustard), a nonfood oilseed brassica is a dedicated feedstock for renewable jet fuel, diesel and other bioproducts. In the southeastern United States carinata can be produced as a cool season crop covering millions of acres of winter fallow land. The meal from carinata seed can provide a high-protein feed source for livestock. These characteristics make carinata a promising cool season crop that provides agronomic, environmental and economic benefits to producers.
MISSION:
SPARC has a twofold mission of removing physical, environmental, economic and social constraints of regional Brassica carinata production as a renewable fuel, bioproducts and coproducts feedstock and ensuring stable markets for jet fuel and bioproducts through demonstration of enhanced value across the supply chain. We are aligned in our mission to USDA’s focus of delivering regionally-appropriate sustainable biomass feedstock for the production of alternative jet fuel in supply chain systems that may be linked to facilities in proximity to civilian or military aviation hubs.
IMPACT:
A combination of cutting edge science and active stakeholder engagement will facilitate year round return on farm investment, infrastructure and workforce development in the region. These in turn will provide energy independence, economic diversification, enhanced ecosystem services and an energized rural economy in the region.
SPARC Workstreams
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Research -
Extension -
Education
