Iowa’s soil is one of the most fertile in the world. For many years its native prairies breathed in carbon from the atmosphere and sequestered it underground in its deep root systems. Today, that fertility feeds the world since over 85% of Iowa’s land is dedicated to farming. “BIOquilt” celebrates the rich ecological history that has allowed this state to lead the pack in biorenewable resources.

By representing the Iowa topography, this piece acknowledges how the land we stand on has given us immeasurable resources throughout the centuries. It also serves as a reminder of the various layers of rich culture and history linked to the Indigenous Nations that originally owned the land. This piece intends to represent our complex relationship to our landscape, rich in fertile soil, history, and a future for the Biorenewables Lab. “BIOquilt” addresses the holistic narrative of the landscape – biologically, geologically, socially, and historically. This piece speaks to how the land represents the past, present, and future through the lens of current research conducted at the ISU Biorenewables Lab.

“Without history, we would not learn; without the land, we would not exist; without the soil, we would not innovate.” Much like the layers of fabric are kept in place by stitching lines in a quilt, “BIOquilt” comes together to weave the stories of the Iowa Landscape and the innovation of the Iowa State University Biorenewables Research Lab.