Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Leopold Center celebrates 20 years with July 10-11 events

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May 23, 2007

AMES, Iowa – The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture marks two decades of innovative research and creative solutions during its 20th Anniversary Celebration July 10-11 at Iowa State University. The festivities highlight the Center's many partners and successes and, more importantly, explore future challenges and obstacles to the sustainability of Iowa's agricultural landscape.

“Don’t expect typical presentations and the usual conference fare," said Leopold Center Director Jerry DeWitt. "We are looking at a variety of approaches to better engage everyone who attends these events. The Leopold Center’s work over the past 20 years has been anything but business as usual; likewise with the celebration.”

Holding true to that promise, the extensive event schedule begins July 10 with optional tours leaving from the Iowa State Center. July 11 activities in the ISU Scheman Building include interactive displays and demonstrations, thought-provoking breakout sessions, posters that highlight Leopold Center-funded research, and networking opportunities with Leopold Center partners and professionals from across the country.

Keynote speaker for the July 11 gathering will be Mark Ritchie, newly elected Minnesota Secretary of State and founder of the Minneapolis-based Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. A 1972 ISU graduate, Ritchie grew up in Nevada, Iowa, and is an active proponent of long-term sustainability for agriculture and rural communities.

The day-long conference offers more than 20 breakout sessions on four hot topic issue tracks: Natural Resources, Food and Health, People on the Land, and the Bioeconomy. Experts in agriculture, including farmers, researchers and industry professionals, will share their experiences and lead discussions related to each topic. In addition to these sessions, the Center will host an outdoor festival with several interactive demonstrations, a live band and locally-grown meal.

The July 10 tours will provide an opportunity to see, hear, feel and even taste what is happening in Iowa’s sustainable agriculture community. Five tours, both full- and half-day, focus on some of the Center’s most engaging work throughout Iowa. Space is limited, so registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours include:

  • “Homemade Pie, Dairy-Fresh Ice Cream … Heaven in Iowa!” to locations in northeast Iowa that feature locally raised food;
  • "A Look at the Culture in Agri-culture," a tour of the Whiterock Conservancy near Coon Rapids and The Homestead near Des Moines;
  • “Water Quality is Everybody’s Job," a visit to the Bear Creek Watershed and an urban rain garden;
  • “Biomass for Biofutures," traveling to the BECON Energy Center near Nevada; and
  • “Black Soil and Purple Lips," a look at a local winery and grape research plots.

The Leopold Center's 20th Anniversary Celebration promises to inform, entertain as well as challenge participants. Cost for the conference is $35 before June 11, or $50 after that date. Tour charges are $20 for half-day tours and $35 for the full-day tours (which includes lunch). 

For more info contact:

Jerry DeWitt, Leopold Center director, (515) 294-7836, jdewitt@iastate.edu

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

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