1,000 acres of switchgrass to be planted in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Bioenergy Center has agreed to lease 1,000 acres of land from Hitch Enterprises near Guymon, Oklahoma. The largest of its kind, the switchgrass field will provide cellulosic biomass to a pilot plant being built by Abengoa Bioenergy in nearby Hugoton, Kansas. In addition, the fields will "serve as a 'living classroom' where agricultural producers, policymakers and the general public can see and experience these crops."

The Oklahoma Bioenergy Center is a state-initiative led by Governor Brad Henry and consists of researchers from the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation with the purpose of developing the bioenergy industry in the state. The full press release can be found here.