WILBERFORCE, Ohio — Thanks to Central State University (CSU) being designated as an 1890 Land-Grant, CSU has been able to begin research initiatives that will have positive impacts across the globe. As a result, the university is growing, and that growth has added benefits to the local community.

To help meet the needs of its expanding corn research program, Central State University  Agricultural Research & Development (CSU-ARD) has leased space in Beavercreek for processing the seed used in its research efforts, said Luke Farno, CSU research technician. The satellite offices are located at 1340 N. Fairfield Rd., Beavercreek, and were leased as there currently is no immediate space available on the CSU campus for the rapidly growing corn research program.

“The space allows for drying down, shelling, storing, and isolating seed, and the five offices will provide the additional space needed to allow our team to be more efficient and impactful in our research efforts,” Farno said.

“Much of the corn research at CSU focuses on high-amylase corn that has applications in both the health and industrial fields,” Dr. Farno added. “The CSU research team, under the guidance of CSU Research Professor Dr. Mark Campbell, is working to create new hybrid seed corn for use by both individual and private growers.”

The Central State University corn research team works with the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project (GEM), a collaborative research effort of the USDA-Agriculture Research Service (ARS), land grant universities, private industry, and international and non-governmental (NGO) organizations to broaden the germplasm base of maize.

High-amylase corn has potential uses ranging from 3-D printers to ethanol to creating foods for diabetic individuals due to its slower digestibility in the diet.

For more information about any CSU research or extension programs, visit www.centralstate.edu.

— Central State University

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