Expected soon at UMC: A course in bioenergy

Interest in alternative energy sources is growing at the University of Minnesota-Crookston

UMC, at the north edge of Crookston, about 25 miles east of Grand Forks, has long specialized in agricultural and environmental research. The school soon will add to that legacy when it adds a specialty course to its existing Agriculture System Management Program.

“Our plans are to add an emphasis called biofuels and renewable energy technology,” said Paul Aakre, assistant professor of agriculture at UMC. “It is going to include solar, wind, geothermal and biofuel technology.”

Aakre said the program still needs approval from the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, but it is expected to be part of the school's offerings next fall.

“I have had some students say they will change into that emphasis when it's available,” Aakre said. “We haven't had to work very hard to get the word out. It's spread by word of mouth.”

Aakre said it was a no-brainer to add the program, given the lead role that's been taken by the state of Minnesota in the area of alternative fuels and the school's initiative to become a more environmentally friendly “green campus.”

“It's in the news every day,” Aakre said about alternative energy research. “Obviously, when you have $3-per-gallon gasoline, alternative fuels are going to become a very big factor.”

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