Latest news from the Leopold Center
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View older news releases in our news archive.
11-09-09
Ideas Sought for Grass-Based Livestock Projects
The Grass-Based Livestock Working Group (GBLWG) is seeking ideas for research and demonstration projects that will boost the viability of the grass-based livestock industry in Iowa. The group hopes to award three to five grants totaling $21,000 with funds from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Read more
11-02-09
Energy demonstration grants awarded to three Iowa farmers [Leopold Center and University of Northern Iowa]
The Iowa Farm Energy Working Group has awarded $5,000 grants to three farmers with small to mid-sized operations to demonstrate how they can meet their energy needs through energy efficiency or the use of renewable sources on their farms. The University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE) facilitates the working group, which is funded by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Read more
10-30-09
Farm partners sought for ISU on-farm research [Leopold Center and Practical Farmers of Iowa]
Iowa State University seeks ideas and proposals for a unique program pairing farmers with Iowa State University researchers to work on topics related to conservation and sustainability. Proposals are due on December 16, 2009 for the 2010 ISU On-Farm Research and Demonstration Grant Program. All ISU faculty, staff and students are eligible to apply. Read more
10-28-09
LSU oceanographer to discuss farm-to-Mississippi Gulf impact November 12
One of the scientists who has measured the size and researched the science of the oxygen-deprived “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico every year since 1985 will share his findings at Iowa State University on November 12. R. Eugene Turner, Distinguished Research Master at Louisiana State University, will speak on “Mississippi River Water Quality: Policy, Farm Landscapes and Hypoxia” as part of the 2009 Dennis Keeney Distinguished Lecture Series. Read more
10-26-09
Fairfield dairy couple win 2009 Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture
Francis and Susan Thicke, whose Radiance Farm organic dairy products are marketed in the Fairfield area, have earned this year’s Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture. The couple’s commitment to resource conservation, successful grazing management, and economically profitable dairy production led to their selection for one of Iowa’s largest awards in sustainable agriculture. Read more
10-23-09
Deputy Secretary Merrigan shows new face of the USDA [listen to podcast]
The garden on the White House lawn is producing more than vegetables, says President Obama’s deputy secretary of agriculture Kathleen Merrigan. It’s a sign of high-level support for the many changes in the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build stronger connections with our food and farmers, ways to help young people enter agriculture, and add more funds for local and regional food systems. Read more
10-12-09
Biodiversity is topic for Pesek Colloquium October 27-28 [ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences]
The ninth John Pesek Colloquium on Sustainable Agriculture, which honors a retired Iowa State University agronomy professor, will be Oct. 27-28. Shahid Naeem, professor of ecology and chair of the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology at Columbia University, will be the featured speaker at two events - one at Iowa State University and one at Grinnell College. The Leopold Center is a co-sponsor of the event. Read more
10-8-09
Obama's Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at ISU, wil discuss what's ahead for farmers [ISU News Service]
One of the top players in the U.S. Department of Agriculture will visit Iowa State University October 20 to talk about her vision for the nation's farming and food sectors. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan, a longtime advocate of sustainable and organic agriculture, will talk about her initiatives in the USDA, where she is second in command. Her visit is co-sponsored by the Leopold Center. Read more
9-29-09
Leopold Center study: Local foods could bring jobs to southeast Iowa
9-15-09
Iowa State organic program launches water quality project with $600,000 grant
9-15-09
Field day addresses issues every producer faces
9-10-09
Perennial prairies and row crops can work well together
9-9-09
The Post Carbon Institute's Richard Heinberg to speak Sept. 24 [listen to podcast]