• Iowa Farmers and Credit, Crop Insurance and Sustainable Agriculture
  
• Shaping a Functional and Sustainable Biofuels Industry through Bridging Industrial Needs with Farmer Production Capabilities

Renewing Competitive Grant

• State Policy Alternatives for Biofuels Industry Support of Sustainable Production of Biofuels Feedstocks
  

---

Through the results of the project surveys and focus groups, more people involved in agriculture will be educated regarding the interaction between sustainable agriculture and agricultural financial and risk management initiatives.

Chris Petersen serves as the president of Iowa Farmers Union, as well as operates a family farm in Clear Lake. He has been involved in production agriculture for more than 35 years. Currently, he and his wife produce 400 pigs a year which are sold locally or to niche pork companies.

---

Shaping a Functional and Sustainable Biofuels Industry through Bridging Industrial Needs with Farmer Production Capabilities, $24,561, 1 year, Richard M. Cruse, ISU Agronomy [P2009-06] STATEWIDE

If a cellulosic biofuel industry is to develop, it is imperative that it is both functional and sustainable.  The goal of this project is to coordinate the needs of the developing cellulosic biofuel industry with the ability Iowa farmers to supply biomass.

Richard Cruse is a professor in the agronomy department at Iowa State University. His research includes soil and crop management, soil physics and soil fertility. He is currently evaluating the effect of tillage and cropping systems on soil physical properties, soil and water conservation and crop growth and yield.

---

State Policy Alternatives for Biofuels Industry Support of Sustainable Production of Biofuels Feedstocks, $20,000 for year 2 of 2 ($40,000 total), Duane Sand, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation [P2008-03] STATEWIDE

This project will research public policy options that reward linking the growing bioeconomy to environmental stewardship. It will explore and articulate some traditional funding options as well as some new, creative ideas. The ideas will evolve and improve during the project, as a variety of perspectives and information emerge during a series of interviews.

Duane Sand is an environmental consultant from Norwalk, Iowa. Most of his work is for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, where he coordinates work on state appropriations, federal farm policy and model watershed projects. From 1981 to 1993 he was with the INHF coordinating soil and water conservation projects related to agriculture. Prior to that, he was employed by the Soil Conservation Service for seven years. He has many years of experience working with clean water and sustainable agriculture coalitions, at both the state and national levels. He is a member and volunteer for several Iowa environmental organizations.