While pennycress holds considerable agronomic and economic potential, farmers cannot be expected to sacrifice profitability or assume greater risk in the production of new oilseed crop species. Therefore, the adoption of pennycress has always hinged on developing methods that seamlessly integrate into existing traditional crop production systems with minimal economic risk. To capitalize on these opportunities, our extension and outreach efforts focus on providing farmers with the information they need about pennycress management techniques and regionally adjusted examples of how pennycress can work in existing cropping systems.

Additionally, we have focused on preparing the next generation to work with pennycress. This is why our education efforts promote awareness and adoption of pennycress by developing and testing materials targeted toward stakeholders, including rural youth and their families, current and future farmers, and the interested public. We also contribute to preparing a skilled workforce for the biobased economy by leveraging IPREFER project research, providing interdisciplinary research experiences for graduate and undergraduate students, and developing bioenergy curricula for post-secondary education. The results of these activities have been widely disseminated via research publications, undergraduate courses, agricultural field days, in-person 4-H club meetings, regional and national FFA and 4-H conventions and fairs, and a dedicated website.

As IPREFER was funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture – Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant program (Grant No. 2019-69012-29851), any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Our extension and outreach goals are twofold:

• Provide farmers and crop consultants/advisors with updated cropping system information and demonstrate innovative strategies that increase adoption and reduce production risk in using pennycress oilseed.
• Use this construct to educate rural communities about key biology and life science topics, the significance of pennycress breeding and its contribution to food security, and broader topics related to environmental and societal sustainability.

Our education goals are to:

• Promote 4-H and FFA engagement
• Train a skilled workforce
• Develop graduate and undergraduate education
• Develop metrics and dissemination protocols

Leadership

• Matthew Hagaman, Illinois State University
• Rebekka Darner, Co-PI, Illinois State University (2019-2023)

Collaborators and Graduate Students

• Chris Aulbach, CoverCress, Inc.
• Mary Brakke, University of Minnesota (LEAD – IPS-URE Research Fellowships & Internships)
• Nicholas Heller, Illinois State University
• Frances Lawrenz, University of Minnesota
• Alexander (Alex) Lindsey, The Ohio State University
• Emily Schoenfelder, University of Illinois
• Samantha S. Wells, University of Minnesota

2020, 2021 & 2022 Integrated Plant Systems – Undergraduate Research Experience

• Taylor Irvin (2022) Illinois State University
• Layla Jones (2022) Illinois State University
• Karyn Rader (2022) Illinois State University

Alumni

• Katie Black, University of Minnesota
• Will Hamman, The Ohio State University
• William (Willy) Hunter, Co-PI Illinois State University
• Aaron Hauger, University of Minnesota (Graduate Student)
• Rachel Sparks, Illinois State University (Graduate Student)