Pete Moss of Germantown has planted the oilseeds at the Agricenter as part of a larger effort to learn if plants can be turned into fuel to help with the country’s energy problem.
He wants to know which of the seeds can be produced in large scale for biofuel and biobased products.
“Before farmers are willing to grow these crops, they have to know that it’s worth their time,” Moss told The Commercial Appeal.
“Success will be if, in five years from now, we are growing and processing multiple types of oilseed crops that are profitable for our farmers,” Moss said.
Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources.
“We in no way are trying to get rid of soybeans or replace soybeans,” Moss said. “My whole career has basically been involved with soybeans, but we have to diversify with oilseeds that can produce more oil and have different types of character.”
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