Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

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This is our quarterly 12-page newsletter. Below is a description of what you'll find in each issue. Click on issue date for links to newsletter articles, download a PDF by clicking on the newsletter image, or sign up to receive the Leopold Letter by email or in your mailbox.

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Leopold Letter Winter 2011

A new era. 2012 marks a new chapter in the Leopold Center's 25-year history. Mark Rasmussen, a supervisory microbiologist for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has been appointed to lead the Leopold Center beginning June 1, 2012. Interim director Mark Honeyman continues his "voices from the past" commentary, and Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann talks about the need for a 50-year Farm Bill.

Other features: This issue offers a look at Leopold Center research for livestock producers: mob grazing and how to graze on native grasslands. You'll also meet an innovative farmer and farm superintendent who share this year's Spencer Award, learn details of expanded support for the Iowa Learning Farms, and what's happening with the Local Food and Farm Plan in Iowa.

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Leopold Letter Fall 2011

Prairie benefits.  Research shows that prairies offer more than beautiful landscapes – they’re a long-term investment in the health and resiliency of agriculture. When planted across the flow of water coming from crop fields, prairie conservation strips keep soil in place after high-intensity rainstorms, an increasingly common occurrence in the Corn Belt. Interim director Mark Honeyman describes Iowa agriculture’s early innovations; Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann offers two wake-up calls for our future.

Other features: This issue has news about a major renovation of our website, a tribute to Nina Leopold Bradley, canola research and progress on the Iowa Local Food and Farm Plan. Get a quick overview of the many successful field days that highlighted Center-supported research, national recognition for Fred Kirschenmann, policy work and a recent trip to Uganda by a Leopold Center advisory board member.
 

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Leopold Letter Summer 2011

The search begins. Iowa State President Geoffroy has started the ball rolling on a nationwide search for the next Leopold Center director. On-campus interviews are expected to happen in November, with a new leader in place by January. The Center also is moving forward with plans for new projects to fund: check out the 2011 RFP. Interim director Mark Honeyman shares his thoughts on the Center’s focus; Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann talks about the need to reorder priorities.

Other features: New work at the Bear Creek Watershed site, hoop barns for cattle, the latest findings about bioreactors, the importance of social networks for rural conservation and a new working group tackles land tenure issues. Read a recap of the May 25 resilience workshop and summaries of recently completed research projects.

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Leopold Letter Spring 2011

 
In transition: Change is underway at the Leopold Center with the departure of a long-time staff member and a new interim director. Learn more about the transition in this issue, work on 19 new projects, and details of the Iowa Local Food and Farm Plan. Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann explores the ‘feeding the world’ debate, and guest columnist Laura Jackson explains the difference between resilience and efficiency.

Other features: Resources for writing sustainable farm leases, how climate change already affects Iowa farmers, New Zealand ranchers and environmental caps, and what current and future grantees will discuss at a May 25 workshop.

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