The focus of this symposium will be on the use of a system approach in integrating row crops and perennial grass such as switch grass, miscanthus, etc. as feedstock for energy source and enhance soil quality, wildlife habitat, water quality, etc. This will change the existing cropping system paradigm to utilize marginal land or highly erodible soil on field and landscape level for perennials, and reduce the effect and stress of row cropping systems on natural resources and reduce reliance on crop residue such as corn for cellulosic ethanol production as it is taking place in the Midwest currently.