This is the newsletter no.6 of the projects developed at EARTH University with the financial support of the Department of Energy of the United States of the America (DOE). Sincere thanks to the author of the newsletter, Dr. Amrit Bidegaray for compiling the informations.

1. Dr. Kelly Morgan, an Associate Professor from
the University of Florida, was awarded the
International Leadership Award from the
University of Florida and EARTH University in
recognition for his leadership in organizing two
international conferences. The first International
Conference on Bio-Fuel Crop Production and
Development took place at EARTH University in
November 2008 and the second was held at
Zamorano University this past August where
Dr. Morgan received the award.
Dr. Morgan was not only instrumental as an organizer, but also
played a key role as a working group leader. He is part of committee
made up of faculty from the three universities (University of Florida,
EARTH University, and Zamorano University) that are working
together on a comprehensive proposal for long-term research and
education on biofuel crop production. The cooperative project will
improve current production practices in the US and Central America.
Dr. Morgan will be one of the organizers for the next conference
which will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in August 2011.
Continued on page 2.
UF Faculty Recognized for International Work
BioFuel Newsletter
E A R T H U N I V E R S I T Y
Volume 6
Nov. 2010
UF Faculty Recognized
for International Work
1
Global Center Planned 1
DOE Project: Strategic
Alliances
2
Energy Generation
from Waste
4
Inside this issue:
Special points of
interest:
• Dr. Morgan awarded Inter-
national Leadership Award
• Interview with EARTH
student Johanny Arilexis
• El Viejo Mill, Guanacaste
Global Center Planned
This past September 17-19th
faculty from the University of
Florida, EARTH University and Zamorano University met at
the Peace Lodge in Costa Rica to plan for the Global
Agronomic Center for Green Energy. The mission of this
Global Center is to lead research, education, and
entrepreneurship initiative for sustainable production of
bio-fuel crops in tropical and subtropical regions through
strategic alliances. Continued on page 7.
(from left to right) Dr. Perret, Dr. Gilbert, Dr. León,
Dr. Waddill, Dr. Morgan at the Peace Lodge

2. Dr. Morgan holds a Ph.D. in Soil and Water Science from the University of Florida. His field of
expertise is sugarcane, citrus and vegetable production and his work primarily focuses on
management practices to improve nutrient and water use efficiency of the crops and to reduce
the impact of agriculture on the environment.
Dr. Morgan is currently conducting a lysimeter project (a twin study to the one being
conducted at EARTH by Dr. Johan Perret) at the Southwest Florida Research and Education
Center at Immokalee and Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade. He is
looking at the use of vinasse as a potential nutrient source for sugarcane and other bio-fuel
crop production. The two soils in Florida are different from the two soils used at EARTH. The
soils in Florida are the two currently used for sugarcane production. One is a Histosol or soil
with 90% or more organic matter. The other soil is a Spodosol with 95% or more sand. So,
along with the soils in the EARTH study we are covering a very wide range of soil
characteristics that would be considered for sugarcane or bio-fuel crop production.
Preliminary results show that all growth parameters indicate no loss in production from the
use of vinasse and water quality below the crop root zone appears to be acceptable.
UF Faculty Recognized for International Work cont.
Page 2
DOE Project: Strategic Alliances
The Department of Energy Bio Fuels Project not only benefits EARTH University but also
companies and organizations outside of campus as well. One example of this is the El Viejo Mill
in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. El Viejo Mill is a Costa Rican company which produces 50 thousand
tons of sugar annually grown by over 500 farmers in the Tempisque Basin. This company has
received many awards for excellence and is committed to conserving the environment.
Continued on page 3.
El Viejo Mill, Guanacaste,
Costa Rica

3. Fermín Subirós, M.Sc, the head of the El Viejo’s Research
Department, stated that he is currently working on a project
with the University of Florida and EARTH University which
consists of evaluating the crop residue quality and quantity
from sugarcane and analyzing the chemical and biological
changes in the soil using green and burnt sugarcane harvest.
We are also using this sugarcane residue for the production of
energy. Part of the project includes soil water regime
measurements under green and burnt sugarcane conditions
during the dry season and the rainy season. We are also
determining the retention capacity of the soil and the
frequency of irrigation of the systems.
When asked about the impact of the DOE Bio Fuels project on this company, Mr. Subiros
commented that right now we are in the evaluation phase of the project. Once we have
completed our initial evaluation we will know how to incorporate more sustainable management
practices. To date, we have started publishing our results which will allow producers to make
adjustments in their systems in order to develop more sustainable agricultural practices.
Additionally, Fermín states that these activities are characterized by the hard work and
collaboration between these three institutions to find better management alternatives. And this
relationship has allowed us to create ties with each other which are the basis for future studies.
Page 3
Fermín Subirós with EARTH
student Gloria Castillo Valle
Installation of soil moisture probes and dataloggers at El Viejo Mill
DOE Project: Strategic Alliances cont.

4. 1. What project is your team working on?
This project is part of the 4th
year graduation project at EARTH. I am working with Tania del
Socorro Pérez Matute on this project and our mentor is Professor Raúl Botero Botero from EARTH
University. We also had help from Professor Pratap Pullammanappallil, Ph.D from the University
of Florida.
2. What is the overall objective of this project?
The overall objective of the project is to implement a strategy in organic waste management;
specifically to use practical research with low-cost biodigestors to stimulate a link between agri-
business and rural communities. This project also involves empowering children by forming
bonds of cooperation with a network of schools in the area through an environmental context
which has long-term global economic, environmental and cultural effects. Continued on page 5.
Energy Generation from Agricultural Waste: Social and Environmental
Responsibility - Interview with EARTH Student Johanny Arilexis Pérez
Page 4
Fourth year students Johanny Arilexis
Pérez and Tania Pérez with mentor
Professor Raúl Botero Botero
Applied treatments in the biodigesters lab
at the livestock farm, EARTH University

5. How does your project fit into the DOE bio-fuel project?
We are examining the use of bio-digesters as a strategy for the sustainable management of
organic solid and liquid waste (such as banana peel and vinasse). We then analyze this
effluent potential as bio-fertilizers and alternative energy generation in the form of biogas.
This project fits into the DOE bio-fuel project because it provides more information about the
viability of energy generation from agro-industrial wastes.
In addition to the scientific impact, this project also has a social impact. We are not only
analyzing the chemical and biological properties of wastes, but also providing opportunities
for community members to become aware of and develop projects to properly manage their
waste.
This project also linked agro-industry, state environmental regulatory agencies in Costa Rica
and rural community leaders through a workshop on September 20-21, 2010 at EARTH
University on bio-digesters and the effective management of solid wastes for the development
of rural communities. Continued on page 6.
Energy Generation from Agricultural Waste cont.
Page 5
Mixture of pig manure, water,
and vinasse
Five days pre—aerated ripe banana peels to be
chopped for the biodigester process

6. What results have you obtained to date?
The results indicate that the addition of 40% vinasse + biofilm
did not show any statistically significant difference regarding
biogas production compared to the treatment without these
factors. Nonetheless, we found that there was a 24% increase
with vinasse + biofilm in comparison to the treatment with
vinasse alone, and a 41% increase compared to the treatment
with only biofilm as a variable.
We also found that treatment 2 (composed of pre-aerated
banana peels for 5 days and swine excrement) generated the
most biogas in 8 weeks with a total production of 792, 96 L of
biogas, and a media composition of 80% CH4. Results also
showed that this treatment in a batch system, employing a
digester of 3 m length and 0,31 m diameter, fed with a minimum
5 kg of swine manure has the potential to generate 3148.13 megajoules/year, and reduce the
emission of 0,28 tons of CO2 to the atmosphere, avoiding decomposition of organic waste in
the field. The average cost of plastic biodigesters is close to $150.00 USD, with treatment 2,
banana peels + swine manure, one can save 30% of the total cost.
What was the environmental contest?
The environmental contest was made possible due to
the support of EARTH University and the Network of
Schools United for the Planet (part of the San
Francisco of Asis High School in Guápiles) and its
goal was to promote environmental awareness
among children in the area. Five schools
participated in the contest and 100 students were
trained on topics of agriculture and sustainability,
alternative energy
and climate change,
and bio-digesters as a technology for clean energy. Each
school was given an environmental problem and asked to
come up with possible solutions. Continued on page 7.
Energy Generation from Agricultural Waste cont.
Page 6
“Each school was given an
environmental problem and
asked to come up with a
solution. ”
Low cost biofilms made from
discarded plastic bottles
Students, teachers and participants that
attended the environmental contest at
EARTH University, September 2010

7. EARTH University
The Global Center will
focus on 1) energy crop
feedstocks, 2) sustainable
production and harvesting
systems, 3)potential
environmental impact of
biofuel production, 4)
production economics
and rural development,
and 5) education in
bioenergy.
The basic research center
will be located at the
University of Florida while
the International Hub will
be at EARTH University.
E A R T H g r a d u a t e
associations in different
countries will take the role
of spokes to promote this
initiative.
Global Center Cont.
Apartado Postal 4442-1000
San José, Costa Rica
Phone: (506) 2713-0000
E-mail: bksingh@earth.ac.cr
abidegaray@earth.ac.cr
We’re on the web!
Energy Generation from Agricultural Waste cont.
The contest included a workshop for teachers on how to
incorporate and teach these topics in the classroom. On
September 29, 2010, judges, including renowned scientists
from Costa Rica as well as the Minister of the Environment,
met at EARTH University to choose the winning school - The
Central School of Guápiles which was awarded an
encyclopedia, tickets to the Aerial Tram at Braulio Carrillo’s
Environmental National Park and a workshop on Recycling
Agriculture. This project has been integrated into the
framework of the Community Development Program at
EARTH for continuity in the next years.