Leopold Notes July 2011

THE SEARCH BEGINS!
Iowa State President Geoffroy has appointed a committee to conduct a nationwide search for the next director of the Leopold Center. On-campus interviews are expected to happen in November, with a new leader in place by January. Keep informed about the process on our website.

SEARCHING FOR PROJECTS TOO
The Leopold Center also is moving ahead with plans for new projects. Check out the Leopold Center’s 2011 Request for Pre-proposals that lists the type of research and demonstration projects that the Center will fund in 2012. Two- to three-page concept papers are due by 5 p.m. Monday, August 15. Details here

GREAT RESULTS
It’s amazing what a few prairie plants can do on a landscape. Research at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge near Prairie City is showing that small strips of perennial grasses are able to reduce sediment loss from adjoining crop fields by more than 90 percent. In addition, the strips are attracting more native birds and insects, which help control pests and pollinate plants. Read about this Leopold Center-supported project, and see a slideshow from a recent meeting for stakeholders here.

‘UNHAPPY MEAL’
The Iowa Food Access and Health Working Group, a community of practice in the Value Chain Partnerships network, is hosting its summer gathering on July 8 at the Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines. A panel of speakers will discuss “Unhappy Meal: Status of Food Safety and Foodborne Illness in Iowa” and there will be information about innovative programs and new resources. Check details on the Center’s calendar.

OPEN HOUSE
A new local food cooperative in Cedar Rapids will host an open house for interested customers on July 13. Plans for an online buying club, the Iowa Valley Food Co-op, have been in the works for more than a year, supported by a Leopold Center competitive grant. The open house will be 4-7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 310 Fifth Street SE, the pickup for food once distribution begins August 17. More details are available on the co-op’s website.

HIGH TUNNEL FIELD DAYS
Water management is essential for fruit and vegetable growers who use high tunnels. Each inch of rainfall results in about 1,800 gallons of runoff from a 30 X 96-ft. high tunnel. Results from a Leopold Center-funded project to handle the runoff will be shared at two field days this month: July 12 at the ISU Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm near Lewis, and July 18 at Nature Road Farm on the north side of Boone. Details on our events page.

THE BUZZ ON BENEFICIAL INSECTS
A day-long workshop on August 4 will focus on how to enhance the ecosystem services provided by beneficial insects such as bees and lady beetles. The event will be at the Field Extension Education Laboratory (FEEL) west of Ames and is planned by the ISU Departments of Entomology and Natural Resource Ecology & Management. Details about this Leopold Center-supported event are here.

LANDSCAPE BIOMASS FIELD DAY
Another Leopold Center-supported research project will be the focus of a field day on August 5 at the ISU Biocentury Research Farm west of Ames. The project looks at how to produce cellulosic feedstock for bioenergy in a sustainable manner. Details on the Leopold Center events page.

NEW RESOURCES
ISU Extension has a new website and newsletter for fruit and vegetable growers: http://www.iowaproduce.org

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