In 2008, EARTH and the University of Florida co-hosted a meeting on bio-fuel crop production in environmentally sensitive regions. The conference ICBF08 was held at the EARTH University Campus, Guácimo de Limón, Costa Rica. Nearly 100 attendees from Costa Rica, the United States and seven Central and South American countries including ministers of Agriculture and Energy attended this meeting. The conference addressed the energy crisis through discussions of agronomic and environmental research and socio-economic and educational efforts, with particular focus on the development of research opportunities and a vision for undergraduate, graduate and grower level programs related to bio-fuels and renewable energy.

In 2010, Zamorano, EARTH, University of Florida and IICA will co-host a meeting on environmentally sustainable technologies for the competitive production of bio-fuel crops. The meeting will address current cutting edge research on crops for bio-fuel production. Topics will include alternative production systems (e.g. best management practices), crop genetics (e.g. varieties and GMOs) and environme ntal impacts (e.g. byproduct use, water quality, land use and carbon sequestration). The conference will encourage graduate and undergraduate curriculum development and inter-institutional cooperation.

We look forward to seeing you at this 2nd ICBF10 and your active participation in the meeting.

Sincerely,

Arie Sanders (EAP Zamorano)
Mily Cortés (Centro Zamorano de Energía Renovable)
Kelly Morgan (University of Florida)
Ramón Leon (Earth)