RESOURCE

Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World

Heating with Plastics ... 7
Agricultural plastics ­ mulch and greenhouse films, pots, and flats ­ are not readily recyclable and pose disposal problems. James Garthe suggests an intriguing alternative to sending plastic waste to the landfill: burn it and release its valuable energy. Conveniently, Garthe's nuggets can be burned with coal in coal-fired burners, refuse-driven fuel burners, or cement kilns.

Pollutionbusters ... 9
Researchers at Purdue University are striving to create a crop of plants that harvests environmental waste. Phytoremediation ­ the use of plants to clean up hazardous compounds in the environment ­ is a growing field of study. Recent advances in biotechnology and an interdisciplinary approach may position Purdue to shape the direction of research for years to come.

Controlled Drainage ... 11
Sonia Jacobsen primes the knowledge pump on an agricultural drainage management system ­ a.k.a "controlled drainage" ­ and informs us about the ADMS Task Force, whose vision and motto is to "Save Our Precious Resources from Going Down the Drain."

Addressing Risks and Benefits ... 13
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has named emerging technologies ­ science-based innovations that have the potential to create new industry or transform an existing one ­ as one of its top research priorities. Mel Myers addresses theses technologies and their impact on the safety and health of farming people.

INSIDE ASAE

Members Vote on Name Change ... 15
The voting on the proposed amendment to the Constitution to change the name of the Society to American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers closed on March 1. Learn more about the results and its potential impact to our Society and the profession.

2005 ASAE Election Results ... 16

ILES VII To Be Held in Beijing in May 2005 ... 16

AETC 2005 Provides Venue for Standards and Technical Activities ... 17

ASAE Distinguished Lecture Series Presented at AETC ... 17

Chesser New Meetings Director ... 18

Help ASAE Grow ­ Recruit a Member ... 18

Become an ASAE Company Representative ... 18

Cooperative Standards Program ... 18

Graduate Competition ... 19

Young Professionals Community ... 19
Your Chance to Serve, YPC 2005 Annual Meeting Activities

Preprofessionals ... 20
1/4-Scale Tractor International Student Design Competition Enters Eighth Year, Change Brings About First Junior College Student Branch, AGCO National Student Design Competition, Why Are You a Member of ASAE?, Keeping Student Branch Information Current is Important and Easy

Foundation ... 22
Thank You

In Memoriam ... 23
Lewis E. Carr

Welcome New Members ... 23

Events Calendar ... 24

DEPARTMENTS

Update ... 3

Personnel Service ... 27

Professional Listings ... 28

Last Word (reader opinion) - Blasts from the Past ... 29

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