“This project addresses the logistical barriers that restrict farmers’ ability to diversify their crops and invest in new technologies, which limits the growth of sustainable feed, fiber, and fuel production in the U.S.,” Shah said. “Our goal is to eliminate these barriers by developing a system that improves efficiency and can be utilized for multiple crops, thereby increasing production while minimizing environmental impacts.”
The project will focus on six crops—corn, soybean, cotton, hemp, camelina, and switchgrass—that represent different crop physiologies. By integrating new harvesting technologies and methods for multiple crops, the project aims to reduce the need for costly, crop-specific equipment that burdens farmers.
“This approach not only promotes operational efficiency but also helps farmers adapt to market forces and shifting weather patterns by enabling them to switch between crops more easily while optimizing their land and other resources,” said Scott Shearer, FABE chair and project collaborator.
Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and CFAES dean, emphasized the importance of the USDA investment.
“We expect the UNIFY system to improve the efficacy of crop production logistics and prepare workers for the growing bioeconomy,” Kress said.
The UNIFY project builds on a decade of research that began in 2016 with seed funding from CFAES and additional grants from USDA-NIFA and Cotton Incorporated. Success in previous studies on corn and cotton has established a strong foundation for this project, which will implement pilot systems to demonstrate the UNIFY system's effectiveness.
During field trials in Ohio, Iowa, and Mississippi, researchers will evaluate equipment that can harvest different crops in a single field pass. They will also assess post-harvest handling, storage and processing needs and collect data on the system's efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impacts. This research will include life cycle techno-environmental and socio-economic analyses to evaluate the sustainability of the UNIFY system compared to traditional methods.
“Costs associated with feedstock harvest and logistics are a barrier to biobased products being commercially viable. This NIFA-funded project will develop a new approach to crop harvest that will be suitable for a diversity of crops, thereby reducing costs over crop types and time,” said USDA-NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra. “It will enable producers and industries to tap into burgeoning biobased markets and improve the resilience of the bioeconomy via increased sustainable, climate-smart production of feed, fiber and biofuels.”
This project will also be a foundational member of the Regional Biomass Resource Hub Initiative (RBRH) that is sponsored by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO).
“We are thrilled to welcome Ohio State as a member of the Regional Biomass Resource Hub Initiative,” said Dr. Valerie Sarisky-Reed, director of BETO. “This award marks an important interagency collaboration between the DOE BETO and USDA NIFA funding agencies to advance the sustainable production of feedstocks for the U.S. bioeconomy. As RBRH works to increase resilience in the biomass industry through the sustainable mobilization of energy crops, the OSU team will be a valuable partner.”
The project also includes an educational component, providing training and resources to stakeholders in the agricultural community and students from middle school to college. Shah and his team will work closely with farmers, equipment manufacturers, and environmental organizations to ensure the successful adoption of the UNIFY system.
“This initiative is more than just technological advancement; it’s about transforming the entire agricultural landscape,” Shah said. “By collaborating with various sectors, we can drive a collective shift toward climate-smart practices that benefit both farmers and consumers.”
A Stakeholder Advisory Board, led by Ed Barnes of Cotton Incorporated, will provide input throughout the project.
“Engaging stakeholders is critical to ensure that UNIFY delivers value to all impacted sectors of the bioeconomy,” Barnes said.
The project aims to improve crop production and processing efficiency, enhancing the resilience of the bioeconomy and contributing to food and energy security in a changing environment. This includes developing extension programs and curricula tailored to farmers and agricultural workers.
“The project’s success could pave the way for broader acceptance of sustainable practices, enabling farmers to tap into new biobased markets and ultimately improving the resilience of the bioeconomy,” Shah said.
“Ultimately, we aim to catalyze a shift toward climate-smart practices that benefit farmers and consumers alike,” he added. “This funding gives us the capability to take our research to the next level, engaging directly with farmers and stakeholders to implement these innovative solutions.”
Project collaborators include researchers from Central State University, Mississippi State University, USDA Cotton Production and Processing Research Unit, and Florida Institute of Technology, as well as industry partners.
