Why is USDA Interested in Agricultural Materials?, 1998 North America Nonwood Fiber Symposium Proceedings
The desire for new sources of fiber is being driven by a number of factors. Environmental issues play a large part, ranging from concerns for diversifying the crop mix - and reducing the need for agrichemicals - to altering the processing and manufacturing techniques required for some present-day fibers. Additionally, extending the current inventory of some commonly used fibers through blending with new fibers is of interest. Another consideration is increased farm income, with the addition of new crops that can be grown out of season with current crops. The challenge for the next century is identifying an environmentally and economically viable crop mix and the development of new technologies that will allow the same facility to process multiple fiber sources on a localized or regional basis.
Why is USDA Interested in Agricultural Materials?, 1998 North America Nonwood Fiber Symposium Procee
