Leopold Center Core Issues
MISSION: The Leopold Center was established by the Iowa Legislature as part of the Iowa Groundwater Protection Act of 1987. Its legislatively mandated goals are to identify and reduce negative environmental and socio-economic impacts of agricultural practices, contribute to the development of profitable farming systems that conserve natural resources, and cooperate with Iowa State University Extension to inform the public of new findings.
VISION: The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture explores and cultivates alternatives that secure healthier people and landscapes in Iowa and the nation.
Six core issues guide the work of the Leopold Center to better focus program development, research activities and the annual request for preproposals. Core issues also help clarify the Leopold Center's role and response in critical areas, and cut across all three initiatives in ecology, policy and marketing and food systems.
These topics envision future outcomes for the Leopold Center's work:
Agriculture of the Middle—The Agriculture of the Middle project seeks to connect midsize family farmers to markets through the development of branded marketing networks linked to food business through values-based value chains. The outcome of this effort will be thriving midsize farms providing sustainably-based foods to consumers who want to know how and where their food is produced. Retired University of California extension educator Larry Yee comments about this core issue in the Spring 2009 Leopold Letter.
Bioeconomy—We see a productive and diverse landscape for agriculture and its people who value soil, water, and wildlife while producing, using, and conserving energy in creative, profitable, and sustainable ways. We see an agriculture that provides a balance among food and energy needs and that is focused on midsize farms, and farm/multi-farm-scale energy practices and opportunities. Energy consultant Rich Dana comments about this core issue in the Fall 2009 Leopold Letter.
Food and health—All Iowans should have ready access to healthy, nutrient-dense, safe, and affordable food that is produced, processed, and distributed using sustainable principles. Food products would originate from vibrant, community-based local and regional food networks or through sustainably-produced, minimally processed and fairly traded national and global networks where the health, well being, and safety of all workers in the network are assured. Leopold Center Associate Director Rich Pirog comments about this core issue in the Winter 2008 Leopold Letter.
Livestock and diversity—Diverse livestock, forage resources and forage-based farm enterprises are critical for creating the resilient farms and landscapes intended to ensure profitable Iowa farms that will attract young people and generate healthy environmental performance. Fairfield dairy farmer Francis Thicke comments about this core issue in the Summer 2009 Leopold Letter.
Local policy—We see the enhanced capacity of key local leaders to gain the ability and support available to scan, anticipate, prepare and plan to make informed appropriate and sustainable decisions related to the sustainability of their land, community and people. Iowa conservationists and farmers Andy and Paul Johnson comment about this core issue in the Fall 2008 Leopold Letter.
Soil and water—Maintaining and improving the integrity of the soil-water system that supports and surrounds all the citizens of Iowa will be achieved by utilizing sustainable practices and valuing ecological systems services. ISU Emeritus Professor John Pesek comments about this core issue in the Summer 2008 Leopold Letter.
Developed in 2007, the core issue briefs are living documents that will change over time.
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