Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

2007-08 Leopold Center research results now on-line

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July 29, 2008

AMES, Iowa -- Summaries of 25 research projects that completed their work appear in the 2008 Center Progress Report, recently published by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. The summaries also are available on the Leopold Center's web site.

These projects comprise a majority of the work of the 20-year-old Leopold Center as part of its competitive grants program that includes research in ecology, marketing and food systems and policy. Summaries are condensed from final reports submitted by principal investigators from each research project.

The 2008 Center Progress Report has summaries of Ecology Initiative projects that looked at:

  • Bird nesting in grazing areas,
  • Fertilizer and phosphorus management strategies,
  • Developing insect resistance in potatoes,
  • Natural seed treatments for corn and
  • Observations of wildlife at Whiterock Conservancy near Coon Rapids.

Marketing and Food Systems Initiative investigators reported on:

  • Agricultural entrepreneurship among immigrant populations,
  • Business tips for niche hog marketing,
  • Business analysis for small meat processors,
  • Economic feasibility of pasture-based dairy operations,
  • Greenhouses and aquaculture in conjunction with Iowa’s ethanol plants and
  • Organic, natural and grass-fed beef prospects.

Policy Initiative projects that were completed included:

  • Survival strategy for small and medium-sized farms,
  • Fostering an effective green payment program and
  • A platform for performance-based stewardship.

Support for the competitive grants administered by the Center is provided through the state of Iowa educational appropriations and from the state’s Agriculture Management Account, generated from fees charged on nitrogen fertilizers and pest control chemicals sold in Iowa.

To request a printed copy of the report, contact the Leopold Center at (515) 294-3711 or leocenter@iastate.edu, and ask for the 2008 Center Progress Report. 

For more info contact:

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

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