Looking for food facts? Check out new Leopold Center resource

AMES, Iowa -- It might not be the same as celebrating Earth Day with a plate of fresh, local produce, but a new resource from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture offers all sorts of local food for thought.

"Food Facts: Results from Marketing and Food Systems Research" summarizes the findings of the Leopold Center's research, demonstrations, studies and surveys in this rapidly growing area where food culture, economics and environmental issues intersect. Since 2001, the Leopold Center has invested $1.6 million in 80 projects as part of its Marketing and Food Systems Research Initiative.

"This resource makes the results of our marketing and food systems research more accessible and useful for a variety of target audiences," said Rich Pirog, associate director at the Leopold Center and leader of the initiative.

Users of the new resource will see key findings from work supported by the Leopold Center. The results are categorized by type of project, from food miles and place-based research to research on niche meat markets, transaction costs and various aspects of the grape and wine industry. The resource is designed for use by farmers, food entrepreneurs, local food system practitioners and other researchers.

"In recent years, the Leopold Center has supported projects leading to the development of new web-based tools for farmers who want to enter specialty markets," Pirog noted. "The section on tips and tools should be especially helpful when producers consider marketing specialty crops and livestock."

Pirog called the new resource a "work in progress. We'll be adding information as new project results are ready." Future topics include consumer surveys, opportunities for minority farmers and financing new farm-based enterprises.

"Food Facts: Results from Marketing and Food Systems Research" is at: www.leopold.iastate.edu/research/marketing_files/food/food.htm. A 32-page printable version, which features photography by Leopold Center Director Jerry DeWitt, can be downloaded at that link. Or to request a copy, contact the Leopold Center at (515) 294-3711, or email: leocenter@iastate.edu.

The Leopold Center, established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act, supports the development of profitable farming systems that conserve natural resources. The Center is named for Iowa-born conservationist Aldo Leopold.

NOTE: Portions of this article were available via The Link in their National Agriculture Week information packet.