Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Leopold Center seeks project ideas for 2009

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June 19, 2008

AMES, Iowa -- Iowans with ideas for projects that will lead to sustainability in agriculture will want to check out the 2008 Request for Pre-proposals (RFP) now available from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.

Each of the Center's three initiative areas -- ecology, marketing and food systems, and policy -- is looking for innovative new projects to enhance the long-running competitive grants program at the Leopold Center. The RFP contains all the information about what sort of projects the Center is looking for and how to apply for the grant funding.

Center director Jerry DeWitt said he is looking for ideas that will help conserve Iowa's natural resources and create food and farming systems that are resilient as well as profitable. "This RFP process shapes the work of the Leopold Center for the next one to two years," he said. "The accomplishments of our initiatives have been significant, but we rely on the resourcefulness and creativity of our partners and stakeholders to keep the Center’s research headed in the right direction.”

Who may submit a pre-proposal to the Leopold Center? Investigators representing any Iowa nonprofit organization/agency and/or educational institution (such as soil and water conservation districts, schools and colleges, and regional development groups). The Center strongly encourages involvement and collaboration of farmers, landowners and farm-based businesses in the pre-proposal process.

What is required? A one- to two-page concept paper on the idea and how it fits with the Leopold Center mission and specific initiative objectives.

Where is the RFP available? The RFP can be downloaded from the Center’s web site here. Hard copies can be obtained from the Center office by calling (515) 294-7311 or sending an e-mail to leocenter@iastate.edu.

When is it due? Project ideas should be submitted to the Center electronically by 5 p.m. August 18, with most project funding to begin in early 2009. The pre-proposals will be reviewed by the Center’s advisory board and staff.

Who do I contact with questions? For inquiries about the initiatives' focus areas in this round of project solicitation, contact the appropriate program leader: Jeri Neal for Ecology (515) 294-5610, wink@iastate.edu; Rich Pirog for Marketing and Food Systems (515) 294-1854, rspirog@iastate.edu; or Jerry DeWitt for Policy (515) 294-3711, jdewitt@iastate.edu. General questions can be directed to Associate Director Rich Pirog. 

For more info contact:

Jerry DeWitt for Policy Initiative questions: (515) 294-3711, jdewitt@iastate.edu

Rich Pirog for Marketing and Food Systems Initiative questions: (515) 294-1854, rspirog@iastate.edu

Jeri Neal for Ecology Initiative questions: (515) 294-5610, wink@iastate.edu

Laura Miller, Leopold Center Communications, (515) 294-5272, lwmiller@iastate.edu

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