University of Minnesota hosts U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Minnesota U.S. Senators and Representatives for an “Investing in the American Bioeconomy” roundtable

Today at the University of Minnesota, Executive Vice President and Provost Rachel T.A. Croson welcomed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, who announced that USDA is funding 160 projects in 26 states to expand access to clean energy systems and increase the availability of domestic biofuels that will create new market opportunities and jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.

Secretary Vilsack made the announcement from the U of M’s McNamara Alumni Center at a roundtable discussion including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), U.S. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), U.S. Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, U of M College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) Dean Brian Buhr, and public and private partners from industry and research.  

At the event, Secretary Vilsack underscored USDA’s efforts to invest in climate-related research and development by institutions like the U of M, which helps result in scientific breakthroughs such as innovative biofuel technologies that combat the climate crisis, lower costs for American producers, and boost American energy independence. The roundtable explored trends and opportunities to invest in the American bioeconomy and featured the announcement of a significant investment in Minnesota and nationwide funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

During the discussion, Dean Buhr emphasized the importance of taking an integrated approach to agriculture that starts with land and water, and the need to continue to work across domains, including industry and government, to develop new ideas and bring them forward. In her remarks, Senator Klobuchar recognized Buhr and the University for finding new markets for agriculture.

Other speakers included representatives from BioMADE, the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, Guardian Energy, Delta Airlines, GREATER MSP, and AURI.