MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University received a Rural Business Development Grant Tuesday to aid in its future agricultural sciences programming.

Janie Dunning, the Missouri director for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, visited Northwest Missouri State University Tuesday to discuss future agricultural sciences programming with University leaders and to announce its receipt of the grant worth $39,735.

The grant award will support research led by Dr. Nigel Hoilett, assistant professor of agricultural sciences, in partnership with Hampton Alternative Energy of Triplett, Mo.

Hampton uses Missouri’s first beef cattle anaerobic digester to produce renewable energy. The grant will allow Hoilett and his team to test a byproduct of the anaerobic digester as a liquid organic fertilizer for the field turf and produce industries. The grant will assess both the effectiveness and the marketability of the product.

“Partnership is something we value,” Dunning said. “By Northwest Missouri State University working with Hampton Alternative Energy Products, they are creating more opportunities for the advancement of agricultural resources. Their renewable organic fertilizer will be a valuable asset to farmers and producers by providing a more eco-friendly way to operate. Rural Development is pleased to partner with these organizations that both recognize the positive impact renewable organic products can have on the environment and the economy.”

Hoilett said the project is an important opportunity to partner with another organization in an effort to advance agriculture practices while providing Northwest students with profession-based experiences.