Pennycress - Helping Solve Soil Health and Water Quality Problems
Dr. Win Phippen is a tenured full professor in the School of Agriculture. He received his MS degree from Cornell University in plant breeding and a PhD from Purdue University in the NewCrops breeding program. His research is focused on agronomic and breeding improvement of new and alternative crops. In 2010, he established a field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) breeding program focused on germplasm collection, field evaluation and controlled crosses to domesticate pennycress for commercial production. 
As the result of the research of Dr. Phippin and his higher education team, the planting and harvest of field Pennycress has reached practical implementation. Dr. Phippin is an advisor for a newly formed company called CoverCress. Now, the acreage of implementation is growing. CoverCress has partnerships with Chevron, Bunge and Bayer to help manage the exponential growth that is anticipated. Dr. Phippin will discuss his research, talk about where we are and use his “crystal ball” to predict the future of this world-changing issue.
CoverCress seed should be planted as soon as possible post-harvest of the preceding corn or soybean crop to take advantage of the heat, light, and moisture to ensure good stand establishment. The seed is very tiny and has specific requirements for germination.
The harvest window opens when 95% of the pods have turned to a bright tan color, with the rest being some shade of yellow, typically between May 20–and May 30.
Dr. Phippin will be telling us about a cash cover crop called Pennycress which he has been developing through the Western Illinois University Agricultural Research Department. THis is a game changer for the improvement of our environment through improved soil health and water quality. Plus, it will be putting $$ into farmer's pockets which will help the economy.
This will be an interesting and informative program. It will also be an opportunity to invite a guest to Memorial Hall or have them join us via zoom. President Eric will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary host.