This page is to update the 2023 USDA-NLGCA project “Research and education capacity building for energy and nutrients recovery from vegetable farm wastes” (USDA Project: 2023-70001-40991), managed by Drs. Liangcheng Yang and David Kopsell at Illinois State University.
Aug 25, 2023: Agreement executed. The project starts on Sep 1, 2023.
Oct 4, 2023: Drs. Yang and Kopsell presented this project to ISU “Water Wednesday”. Approximately 25 faculty and students attended this event.
Oct 16, 2023: Shimadzu GC – 2030 is delivered.
Jan 10, 2024: GC was installed and passed the quality check.
Oct 27, 2023: Drs. Yang and Kopsell visited the Spence Farm, the oldest family farm in Livingston County, IL, and discussed with Mr. Marty Travis and his son Will Travis on partnership and cartridge digestion demonstration.
Nov 6, 2023: 17 ISU students toured the research lab and learned about anaerobic digestion.
Nov 16, 2023: 7 ISU students toured the research lab and learned about anaerobic digestion.
Jan 9, 2024: First project evaluation meeting with internal evaluator Dr. Rob Rhykerd and external evaluator Mr. Michale Brown.
Mar 1, 2024: Dr. Yang presented this project and other projects at the CAST College Research and Innovation Networking Event. Approximately 30 faculty and staff from CAST and other colleges attended this event.
Mar 20, 2024: Finished the initial testing of the cartridge digester.
Mar 22, 2024: Graduate student, Tuba, teaches undergraduate students in HSC257 to use the GC to analyze organic compounds.
Apr 15, 2024: Tuba showed the cartridge digester to Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyimana, Assistant Professor for Urban Agriculture from Kentucky State University, and his graduate students.
Jun 21, 2024: Dr. Kopsell presented this project at the Spence Farm Down to Earth workshop.
July 31, 2024: Dr. Yang presented “Energy and nutrient recovery from vegetable farm wastes using a cartridge anaerobic digester” at the 2024 ASABE conference, at Anaheim, CA. About 20 people attended this session.
Sep 25, 2024: Students in Water and Wastewater Treatment class learned cartridge anaerobic digester and GC.
Sep 27, 2024: Vegetables (kale and lettuce) were transplanted. Nutrients recycled from digester using biochar will be added after transplanting.
Oct 18, 2024: Tuba and Caden presented a poster at the 2024 Sustainability Research Conference organized by Illinois Innovation Network.
10/31/2024: 11 students in AGR346/446 Organic Crop Production class learned cartridge anaerobic digestion and GC.
Nov 2024: Tuba presented a poster “Converting cover crop biomass to biogas and volatile fatty acids” at the 2024 ASA, CSSA, SSSA conference in San Antonio, TX.
Jan 17, 2025: Tuba presented “Converting cover crop biomass to volatile fatty acids” at the college 3MT competition and was selected to present the college to compete in the University 3MT in Feb.
Jan 29, 2025: The second test of the cartridge anaerobic digestion of vegetables started. This test will last for a few months.
Feb 27, 2025: Tuba presented “Converting cover crop biomass to volatile fatty acids” at the University 3MT competition and was selected for the “People’s choice” award.
Mar 4, 2025: Started the AD and GC teaching labs for AGR225. It will take about one month to complete.
Mar 6, 2025: 12 high school students visited the lab and learned anaerobic digestion.