Leopold Center - What is the Leopold Center?

The Leopold Center is a research and education center with statewide programs to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. It was established under the Groundwater Protection Act of 1987 with a three-fold mission:

In 2002, a vision statement was adopted: The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture explores and cultivates alternatives that secure healthier people and landscapes in Iowa and the nation.

As part of the Center's new orientation, Three focused research initiatives have replaced the more general competitive grants research program. Each of the three research programs -- marketing and food systems, ecology, and policy -- is responsible for its own projects and educational events.

The Center is led by Director Jerry DeWitt. Frederick Kirschenmann serves as the Center's Distinguished Fellow. Rich Pirog is Associate Director and leads the Center's marketing and food systems initiative. Staff members include an ecological systems research program leader, program specialist, technical editor, communications specialist, accounts specialist and a secretary.

A 17-member advisory board, established in the 1987 legislation, advises the director on funding of research proposals, policies and procedures, budget development, and program review. In 1994, four ex-officio members active in farming and agribusiness were added to the board. They received full voting privileges in 1999.

State fees on nitrogen fertilizer and pesticide registrations provide support for research, education and administration of Center programs. An annual education appropriation supports many of the Center's competitive grants and the Center also receives foundation grants and federal funds for specific projects.

The Leopold Center has awarded more than 300 competitive grants totaling more than $10 million. Leopold Center competitive grants are available to researchers and educators at all Iowa colleges and universities, and to investigators at private nonprofit agencies and foundations in the state. These awards often act as seed money to initiate work for which other larger sources of funding then become available.

The Center's mission includes an educational component of inform the agricultural community and the general public about its research findings. The Center collaborates with ISU Extension and other university, state, and local organizations to communicate research findings. It also supports conferences, seminars and special events related to the three research initiatives.

The Leopold Center has a national reputation for cutting-edge research on nitrogen management to improve water quality, cropping systems, and alternative swine production systems (hoop barns). The Center's work is leading to significant dividends for Iowa -- cleaner water, better conservation of natural resources and greater agricultural vitality. Especially important is its exploration of new production and marketing opportunities for Iowans.

The Leopold Center also has been a catalyst. Many of the competitive grants funded by the Center and work of its multi-disciplinary issue teams have become long-term programs to make farms more profitable and more environmentally-friendly and to strengthen Iowa's rural communities.

The Leopold Center publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Leopold Letter, and a monthly e-mail newsletter, Notes from the Leopold Center, both available upon request. Other publications include an annual report of Center activities, yearly summary of research results, conference proceedings, fact sheets, other special publications, and news releases all help the Center to fulfill its mission of informing the public.

For more information contact:

Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
209 Curtiss Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-1050
(515) 294-3711

FAX: (515) 294-9696
e-mail: leocenter@iastate.edu

Revised 2/2007