Current Ecology Initiative Grants

The Ecology Initiative supports a wide range of research and demonstration that encourage development and adoption of more ecologically-friendly agricultural systems, generally speaking, ‘more roots in the soil and more farmers on the land.’ Ecologically-based systems are more resilient and in the long run less costly to farmers, communities and the environment. Projects can range in scale from watershed to field and plot.

New grants research launched within the past year address emerging issues in antibiotic resistance, focus on improving cropping systems through the use of soil organic matter and winter cover crops, and seek to incorporate sustainable grazing into Iowa’s agriculture. Here’s a list of all projects new in 2012 [PDF]

Click on the title for a detailed description of the project, who is doing the work and where it is taking place.