ACRE Field Day at Poplar Hill

On July 10th (2024), we hosted a field day at Poplar Hill, bringing together producers from the Lower Eastern Shore to learn about the ACRE project. The day was filled with learning, collaboration, and the start of exciting new partnerships.

We began in the breakroom at Poplar Hill, where Dr. Jonathan Cumming, Alison Schulenburg M.S., and Shaylan Kolodney each gave a short presentation highlighting the ACRE project's details, mission, and in-field logistics (see slideshow below). 

Next, we rode a wagon to the field to view our current research plots. We saw the switchgrass established last summer, which was tall and healthy, inspiring some farmers with its resilience to the droughty and unpredictable weather we've experienced in Maryland this year. We also examined corn stands at three distinct heights: the shortest with no nitrogen fertilizer, the middle height with undigested poultry litter, and the tallest with Element Soil - the digestate from the anaerobic digestion process. Seeing the switchgrass and Element Soil in action sparked enthusiasm and provided tangible evidence of the project's viability.

Back at the main area, we showcased some of the equipment used in our project and discussed the logistics of implementing switchgrass cultivation. The most exciting part of the day was when four of the five producers began the process of enrolling in the switchgrass portion of our project. We are thrilled to be working with these producers and look forward to what our partnerships will bring. Thank you to everyone who participated and made the day a success. Here's to the future of a vibrant market for alternative crops supporting renewable energy in the Delmarva!