New Crops Database: A Tool for Farmers and Industry to Promote Agricultural Diversity

The New Crops Database is an online resource designed to provide timely information about growing, processing and utilizing alternative crops in West Tennessee and the surrounding region. Biodiversity in the region is a major focus of AgBioworks, an initiative of the Memphis Bioworks® Foundation and BioDimensions. Memphis Bioworks Foundation is a non-profit leadership organization and is working with Tennessee Department of Agriculture to maintain this valuable tool.
 

The New Crops Database is used by farmers who want to grow alternative crops and companies that want to produce biobased products.

Features of the New Crops Database include:

• Listing of a range of crops that can be grown in the region with ongoing updates based on feedback
from a regional network of research farms and farmers.
• Detailed information concerning agronomic and production details necessary to grow and harvest
each specific alternative crop.
• Information concerning seed availability and farmer support services.
• Market data and economic analysis tools.
• Opportunities to interact with farmers and end users.

The New Crops Database will serve as an important functional asset for farmers, researchers and companies wanting to use alternative feedstocks. It connects each stakeholder to opportunities within the growing biobased products industry. As industrial demand increases for alternative plant-based feedstocks, the New Crops Database will provide the tangible connections and information necessary to supply this demand.

The New Crops Database includes a catalogue of data from an international network of researchers and agronomists, with special emphasis on crops that are already being examined in West Tennessee. These production details will be continually augmented with information from the regional research farms, companies active in the sector and most importantly farmers who are working with new crops. Farmers and industry stakeholders will be able view up-to-date information on work being done with specific crops and develop a network to commercialize new crops more effectively.

For more information about the New Crops Database contact:
Michael Gong
c/o BioDimensions
20 South Dudley, Suite 802 Memphis, Tennessee 38103
901.448.1724 mgong@biodimensions.net