Switch-grass is a native warm-season grass that has disappeared across Kentucky.

Specialists in the UK Forestry Department believe the grass could be a renewable energy source in producing ethanol.

Tom Keene, UK Hay Marketing Specialist, says, "We kind of mismanaged it and the settlers abused it a little bit and we lost those stands. We know that our soils and our climate will handle these warm season natives very well."

Twenty different farmers in 12 counties have planted the switch-grass. The seed is a bit costly, but experts say the outcome could be well worth it.