2009 Marketing and Food Systems Initiative Competitive Grants

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New Competitive Grants

[See descriptions below]

Renewing Competitive Grants

[Read grant descriptions here]

  • Adding a New Generation to Iowa's Sustainable Farms
  • Establishing an Iowa Microenterprise Foundation
  • Expanding Business Skills for Specialty Growers in Iowa
  • Latino Farmers and Local Multicultural Food and Marketing Systems
  • New Champions Expanded Scope: Developing an Action Plan for Building an Expanded Regional Food Economy in Black Hawk and Surrounding Counties
  • Pottawattamie County Farm to Fork
  • Producer Machinery and Labor Sharing Arrangements Workshops

andrea geary A Food Distribution Network for the Northern Iowa Food and Farm Partnership, $24,525, 1 year, Andrea Geary, Center for Energy and Environmental Education, University of Northern Iowa [M2009-19] NORTHEAST IOWA

In this project, the Northern Iowa Food and Farm Partnership will help growers build a pilot distribution network, working with a group of 12 producers who have been meeting over the past six months. The project will include an analysis of the group's business development options, and development of distribution logistics and a business/marketing plan. Investigators will work with the food enterprise consultant Red Tomato.

Andrea Geary is the program coordinator for Northern Iowa Food & Farm Partnership (NIFFP). She is responsible for promoting local food on a regional basis, fostering relationships between consumers, producers and community entities, as well as working to expand the counties served. Geary has a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from the University of Iowa and previously owned and operated a bakery in Monticello, Ill.

katherine richardson brunaAccelerating Latino Leadership in Educational Initiatives for Entrepreneurial and Ecological Farming:  Building a Culturally-Responsive Community of Practice, $38,637 over 2 years, Katherine Richardson Bruna, ISU Multicultural and International Curriculum Studies [M2009-27] MARSHALL COUNTY

In the long term, this project will provide Latino immigrant adults and children with the educational resources they need to prepare them for entrepreneurial farming ventures. Investigators will bring members of a sister community in Mexico to Iowa to help in recruiting Latino participants for this project and assist in leadership development. The project is working with the Latino Farmers and Local Multicultural Food and Marketing Systems project in Marshalltown.

Katherine Richardson Bruna is an associate professor at Iowa State University. Her research interests include multiculturalism and multilingualism in schools, society and especially in demographically-transitioning communities. She is also interested in teacher education and professional development for cultural and linguistic diversity.

lie tangAn Automated Mechanical Intra-row Weed Removal System for Vegetable Crops, $54,666 over 2 years, Lie Tang, ISU Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering [M2009-23] STATEWIDE

The goal of this project is to develop a practical mechanical intra-row weed control solution for automatically removing weeds from vegetable crops for small and mid-scale Iowa growers. Investigators will explore an optical sensing system and a mechanism to remove weeds with minimal soil disturbance, crop damage and energy input. The project also will demonstrate the effectiveness and economic viability of the system.

Lie Tang is an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. His expertise is in agricultural automation and robotics, and he has had many years of international research experience of these in both Europe and the U.S. Tang has developed an advanced real-time machine vision system for automated behavior monitoring of group-housed pigs in KULeuven (Belgium). He is currently continuing his research in developing advanced sensing, optimization and robotic technologies for agricultural production systems in this century.

nancy levandowskiBuilding Student Awareness and Involvement in the Farm to ISU Program, $5,468, 1 year, Nancy Levandowski, ISU Dining Services [M2009-14] STATEWIDE

The goal of this project is to increase ISU students’ awareness of the Farm to ISU Program. To do this, a graduate researcher will create an educational campaign and ways for students to get involved. The researcher will then conduct a longitudinal survey of ISU students to evaluate changes in their perceptions.

Nancy Levandowski is the director of campus dining services at Iowa State University. She previously was a resident district manager for an international food service company. She served 13 accounts in the Pacific Northwest, including the University of California, Irvine, during 2003 to 2005. Levandowski also served as director of dining services for the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation from 1995 to 2003.

paul brownCultivating the Agrarian Dream: Aspiring Agri-Entrepreneurs Helping One Another Choose Their Path, $10,548 over 2 years, Paul Brown, ISU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension [M2009-24] STATEWIDE

This is an outreach education effort led by ISU Extension's Small Farm Sustainability program. The investigator will develop, offer and evaluate workshops for farmer entrepreneurs, and create a forum for participants to interact with veteran entrepreneurs. The program will allow participants to look at where they currently are and where they’d like to be in relation to their dream farm business. Cultivating the Agrarian Dream will direct the most dedicated participants into more comprehensive training.

Paul Brown is currently seeking a PhD at Iowa State University. His home department is natural resource ecology and management. His research interests include agricultural development strategies that integrate people, natural resources, infrastructure and rural communities.

brenda ranumDeveloping and Implementing a Strategic Plan for Farm-to-School Programs in Northeast Iowa, $30,000 over 2 years, Brenda Ranum ISU Extension Winneshiek County [M2009-04] NORTHEAST IOWA

This project will involve school districts and colleges, distributors, farmers and other local partners who can help increase access to and the consumption of fresh, local healthy foods for kindergarten through 12th grade and college students and faculty. Fourteen of the 18 school districts and three colleges in northeast Iowa will send representatives to monthly committee meetings between October 2009 and May 2009. The schools will follow one common work plan, with the ability to customize based on their individual needs.

Brenda Ranum is the county extension education director in Winneshiek County. Her areas of expertise are youth development and communities.

neric smithDeveloping Production, Processing and Marketing of Aronia Berries on Small Family Farms in Southeast Iowa, $25,647 over 2 years, Neric Smith, ISU Extension Jefferson County [M2009-05] SOUTHEAST IOWA

This project is needed because as of yet, there has been no study of aronia berries as a new commercial crop in southeast Iowa. It will facilitate the initial development of the industry by focusing on sustainable crop production and market development. Investigators plan to establish aronia plantings that will help diversify small family farm operations in the region.

Neric Smith is the county extension education direction in Jefferson County. His areas of expertise include turfgrass management and agriculture.

patrick omalleyEnhancing Value and Marketing Options for Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) by Developing Pulp Separation and Preservation Techniques, $23,938 over 2 years, Patrick O'Malley, Iowa State University Extension [M2009-20] STATEWIDE

This project will utilize the pawpaw fruits from an ongoing pawpaw cultivar trial orchard in Louisa County. Investigators will test ways to separate pulp from the skin and seed, and ways to best preserve the fruit pulp. The Leopold Center also funded the trial orchard project.

Patrick O’Malley is a field specialist in horticulture for ISU Extension, serving the eastern counties of Iowa. His expertise is in commercial fruits and vegetables, as well as ornamental horticulture such as greenhouse and nursery crops. O’Malley has an extensive list of clients, including CEEDs, OAs, Master Gardener volunteers, orchards and golf courses.

betty wellsExperiential Educational Engagement with Working Groups and Communities of Practice, $17,456, 1 year, Betty Wells, ISU Sociology [M2009-18] STATEWIDE

This project will bring together interdisciplinary groups of ISU students and established regional food systems working groups. This effort is part of an ISU course offered during the Spring 2009 semester, followed by a project evaluation.

Betty Wells is professor and extension sociologist in the Department of Sociology at Iowa State University. Her expertise is in cross-cultural applications of community development programming, gender relations in agricultural organizations and institutions, and rural women's networks (local/bioregional, national and transnational). She is associate chair of the ISU Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture and has studied community food systems and women farmland owners.

gary sandholmFeasibility Study for the Creation of a Meat Processing Training Program in Iowa through the Community Colleges, $20,000, 1 year, Gary Sandholm, Webster City Area Development [M2009-28] STATEWIDE

The objective of this project is to measure current interest, commitment and demand for formally trained meat cutters in Iowa. Investigators will involve the entire range of meat processors in Iowa – all 15 community colleges, ISU meat Science training programs and other available training resources.

 



brian menneckeGrowing Up Local: A Value Chain Analysis of Local Produce in Iowa, $59,093 over 2 years, Brian Mennecke, ISU Logistics Operations and Management Information Systems [M2009-11] STATEWIDE

In this project, investigators will detail a value chain analysis of locally grown produce in Iowa.  Investigators will identify supply chain structures that support production and distribution using methodologies compatible with sustainable agriculture.

Brian Mennecke is associate professor in Management Information Systems and an associate professor of management information systems in the ISU College of Business. His general teaching and research interests relate to the use of information systems in organizations and society, specifically to the use of geographic and location-based technologies by business organizations and industries. He also has studied the role of location services in mobile commerce, how individuals and groups communicate and make decisions, and the role of communication technologies in supporting teaching and learning. He is actively involved in teaching and consulting related to mobile commerce and geographic information systems (GIS).

ray hansenHigh-Tunnel Resource Manual and Producer Resource Kit Providing the Tools for Profitability, $38,150 over 2 years, Ray Hansen, Iowa State University Value Added Agriculture Extension [M2009-16] STATEWIDE

In this project, investigators will create educational materials and host workshops for fruit, vegetable and cut flower growers designed to help them produce crops successfully and profitability in high tunnels. The goal of this work is to increase the number of full- and part-time specialty growers in Iowa, and increase the supply of local fruits and vegetables.

Ray Hansen is interim director for the ISU Extension Value Added Agriculture Program. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees from ISU in agricultural education and extensive employment background working with agricultural businesses and commodity associations. Currently he works with producer groups developing new market opportunities; he also has experience in developing and implementing ISO quality management systems.

mike duffyLife Cycle Assessment of Confinement and Pasture-based Dairying in Iowa: Impacts and Options for Mitigation, $4,500, 1 year, Mike Duffy, ISU Economics [M2009-12] STATEWIDE

Investigators will analyze the environmental impacts of three different dairy production systems in Iowa, and suggest options for reducing those impacts. An economic analysis of global warming emissions mitigation strategies also will be included.

Mike Duffy received his Ph.D. in Agriculture Economics from Penn State in 1981 and joined Iowa State University in 1984 as extension area farm management specialist. Currently, he is Extension Economist in farm management and director of the Beginning Farmer Center at ISU. Duffy conducts the annual land value survey in Iowa and is responsible for preparing cost of crop production estimates and the Iowa farm costs and returns publication. Formerly Associate Director at the Leopold Center, Duffy's research interests include determinants of farm profitability, small farms, soil conservation, integrated pest management, and sustainable agriculture.

melvyn housershirley frederiksenPottawattamie County Farm to Fork (Phase III), $44,900 over 2 years, Shirley Frederiksen and Melvyn Houser, Golden Hills RC&D [M2009-02] Pottawattamie

The goal of this project is to build the production capacity of the local foods economy in Pottawattamie County. The staff will complete several tasks, including a survey of existing growers to determine their needs, of independent food service operators to gauge willingness to buy local, and development of a mentoring program for new growers. They will also facilitate connections between growers and food service operators.

Shirley Frederiksen began working for the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service in March 1988. She has been a soil conservation technician, soil conservationist and district conservationist before accepting her current position as coordinator for Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development. She directs a six-member staff and has provided leadership in formation of the Loess Hills Alliance, Western Iowa Grape Growers Association and Loess Hills National Scenic Byway Council. Because of her wide range of interests (she has degrees in art and agriculture) and a progressive RC&D board, projects include a Loess Hills coloring book, the Lewis & Clark Passport Education Program, and work to re-establish grapes as an alternative crop to provide the diversification needed to sustain small family farms with low to moderate incomes and economic development assistance to small businesses. Resource-related projects include construction of the RC&D office building using sustainable design principles and the Loess Hills Stewardship Initiative to restore native biological communities in the Loess Hills.

Melvyn Houser is finishing his second term as Pottawattamie County supervisor. He farms with his brothers and helps manage a 100-head cow-calf operation. He serves on various boards and committees for the Iowa State Association of Counties and currently is vice-president of the group's supervisor affiliate. Houser always has supported a local economy (particularly a local food system), and believes that local government is key in bringing people together to create policy and structure to enable a local food system.

david swensonResearch and Assistance in Support of the Foodsheds in the Upper Midwest Initiative to Measure the Economic Impacts of Increased Local Food Production and Consumption, $9,000, 1 year, David Swenson, ISU Economics [M2009-07] STATEWIDE

In this study, the principal investigator will analyze various foodsheds in a four-state region of the Upper Midwest with a population of about 20 million people. The goal is to provide information for food system leaders about the economic impacts of sustainable and local foodsheds.

David Swenson’s work centers on community economic analysis and affiliated projects in support of the ISU Economic Department's efforts in community development and in extending economics education services to the public.  Areas of research and specialization include community and regional economic studies and evaluations, economic development research and technical assistance, input-output (economic impact) studies, fiscal impact research, public finance and tax policy, community change and worker mobility issues, and public program and project evaluation. His services are delivered to communities, citizens, public and private organizations and to local or state government via research reports, on-site training and education programming, community and staff educational curriculum development, print and broadcast media interviews, and through seminars and public speaking appearances.

detra dettmannelizabet humbleRouting Foods into Southeast Iowa, $3,595, 1 year, Elisabet Humble and Detra Dettmann, Pathfinders RC&D [M2009-10] SOUTHEAST IOWA

The Routing Foods into Southeast Iowa initiative will determine the ease of creating a farmer-led cooperative brokerage in an area including, but not limited to, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Van Buren and Wapello counties. To do this, the team will research existing local food cooperatives, meet with food producers to assess their interest in a supplier network and production capacity, and meet with buyers to determine their willingness to purchase local food.

Elisabet Humble is a local food coordinator for Hometown Harvest of Southeast Iowa local food initiative. She is studying sustainable living at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield.

Detra Dettmann works for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and serves as coordinator for Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development. Her current duties include assisting with the coordination of the local Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign, securing funds for watershed protection and writing to support local trail and tourism facility development. She is also leading efforts to form the Hometown Harvest of Southeast Iowa food initiative.

omar smadiThe Actual Cost of Food Systems on Roadway Infrastructure, $24,923, 1 year, Omar Smadi, ISU Center for Transportation Research and Education [M2009-15] STATEWIDE

Using Iowa Department of Transportation data on the highway system, this project will develop a systematic approach for evaluating the actual cost of moving food from farms to markets. Investigators will look at the following areas: environment (carbon emissions and air quality), infrastructure, energy (fuel), congestion, safety and user costs.

Omar Smadi is a research scientist at the Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE) at Iowa State University. He manages CTRE’s pavement management projects, including two long-term projects for the Iowa Department of Transportation. Smadi also teaches civil engineering courses as an adjunct associate professor at Iowa State.

shashi nambisanUpdate of the Iowa Produce Market Calculator Web Site, $24,837, 1 year, Shashi Nambisan, ISU Center for Transportation Research and Education [M2009-01] STATEWIDE

The project investigator will update the Iowa Produce Market Potential Calculator so it reflects the 2007 census update (available February 2009). The user interface of the calculator also will be redesigned to match the visual themes of the Leopold Center and allow more selection options for users, among other things. Other extension features will be added, too.

Shashi Nambisan is the director for the Center of Transportation Research at Iowa State University. Nambisan was previously at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he directed the Transportation Research Center and was a professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering. His areas of expertise are transportation safety, risk analysis, transportation planning and infrastructure management.