On Wednesday, October 21, faculty and students involved in the STBE "Nexus" project hosted an open house for members of the campus and regional community. The open house featured tours of the demonstration and research projects underway at the lab, including a static-pile compost system that generates heat for the anaerobic digestion system; a biogas/biochar system; and an experimental aquaculture system. The Nexus project has multiple goals: to provide educational opportunities for members of the community, to examine the feasibility of methods for extending the growing season and viability of regional farmers in our cool mountain climate, and to provide research platforms for graduate and undergraduate students at Appalachian State. Since the inception of the Nexus concept, numerous STBE graduate students have played leadership roles in development of the lab.
Faculty members David Domermuth and Jeff Ramsdell at the Nexus Lab Open House.
Interior photo of the Nexus greenhouse showing the aquaculture system.
A view of the static pile compost heating system at the Nexus lab, with a student's sustainable transportation vehicle nearby.
Nathan Anderson explaining the compost heating system at Nexus
Nathan Anderson explaining the compost heating system at Nexus