Current Competitive Grant

Transplant production decision tool for vegetable producers

Project ID: M2010-10

This 2-year grant for $21,072 was awarded in 2010.

Location: Statewide

Two tools will be developed for financial analysis of transplant production options: a budget template for transplant production to be used in comparing production options and farm-based production to the cost of purchased transplants; and a discussion of cost-benefit analyses for various operational improvements. The latter will include a narrative discussion of risk mitigation and quality-of-life considerations.

Joseph Ward

Joe Ward was born in La Porte, Indiana and raised on a livestock farm. Active in 4-H and FFA, he attended Purdue University earning a BS in Animal Science and MS in Ruminant Nutrition. He also earned a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in Ruminant Nutrition. He is President of Wholesale Feeds, Inc in Marion, Iowa. Chris Blanchard owns and operates Rock Spring Farm, producing 15 acres of certified organic vegetables and herbs in northeast Iowa. He also helps coordinate the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the largest organic farming conference in North America.

Co-Investigator(s):

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

The Leopold Center was established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act as a research and education center at Iowa State University to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. Iowa State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

This page was found at http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/grants/m2010-10 on 01/20/2013