Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Mapping potential foodsheds in Iowa: A system optimization modeling approach

Project ID: M2010-04

Abstract

Linear programming tools are used to gauge regional potential for local diversified agriculture required to meet the dietary needs of the population.

Key Question: Can Iowa and other Midwestern states be self-sustainable in food production?

Findings: Investigators designed two new metrics to guide strategic planning toward more localized systems: the "per capita" cropland requirement" and the "regional self-sustainability index." Emphasis was on minimizing the distance between population centers and available cropland, accounting for variations in yield among 40 of the most marketable food crops that can be grown in the Midwestern United States.

Lead investigator: Guiping Hu, ISU Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Co-Investigator(s):

Randy Boeckenstedt, Institute for Transportation; Lizhi Wang, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering; Susan Wohlsdorft-Arendt, ISU Apparel, Educational Studies and Hospitality Management

Year of grant completion: 2012

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Marketing Initiative.

Topics: Community-based food systems, Food miles, food pathways, food system assessments