About

The 320-acre Energy Farm on the Urbana-Champaign campus’ South Farms

In their search for alternative energy resources, researchers at the University of Illinois have access to this gigantic “living laboratory”

About the Energy Farm

In the search for alternative energy resources, sustainable food production and environmental stewardship, researchers at the University of Illinois have access to a gigantic “living laboratory” — the 320-acre Energy Farm on the Urbana-Champaign campus’ South Farms.

Under the leadership and management of the Department of Crop Sciences and College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Envionmental Sciences (ACES), the Energy Farm offers the space, resources, and expertise necessary for field research and production needs for University researchers, corporate partners, and collaborators. In total, the U of I has 3000+ acres of agricultural research space conveniently located adjacent to campus, allowing researchers convenient access to campus offices and laboratories.The Energy Farm was originally launched with the support of the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences(ACES), the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) and a major corporate partnership grant from BP.

Miscanthus variety trials