Here is an expansion of a previous Leopold Center competitive grant (M2009-23), which supported the development of a basic semi-automated mechanical intra-row weed removal system for vegetable crops. The investigators will conduct field trials to evaluate and improve the prototype.
Competitive Grants
The Leopold Center supports projects in a variety of areas that enhance sustainability for all Iowa agriculture. Since 1988, the Leopold Center has operated a Competitive Grants Program that has funded more than 420 Iowa-based agricultural and research projects in every county in Iowa.
About the grant process
The Leopold Center’s Competitive Grants Program that is open to all Iowa educational and non-profit organizations. Each year, the Center selects 20 to 30 new research and demonstration projects to fund. A Request for Pre-proposals (RFP) is issued in June, pre-proposals are due in late summer, and decisions on full proposal development are made in early fall. Final funding decisions occur in January.
More information for grantees - This page shows where the Leopold Center is in the current RFP process.
Project Spotlights
Here's a sample of some of the projects we are funding.
Agronomic, environmental and economic performance of alternative biomass cropping systems
The project investigators are seeking biomass cropping systems that are productive, profitable and mitigate the negative effects of annual crops on soil and water quality. Investigators are developing and testing several alternative systems that include sweet sorghum/triticale for superior biomass yields; a corn-soybean-triticale/soybean and corn-switchgrass rotation to reduce environmental impacts; and combining triticale with aspen and cottonwood plantings to achieve short-term biomass yields and superior long-term yields.
Grazing compatibility in and for future years
Research and demonstrations were conducted on wildlife compatibility with grazing and grassland pasture conversion from cool- to warm-season grasses. In-field education occurred with high school and college agriculture students to inform them about rotational grazing management and conservation. Materials are being prepared for farmers and voc-ag instructors.
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture |
Ames, Iowa 50011 |
(515) 294-3711 |
leocenter@iastate.edu