Leopold Notes March 2011

FROM THE INTERIM DIRECTOR
This is no doubt the most important announcement we make all year at the Leopold Center – listing all the new competitive grants that will begin work in 2011. Indeed, the research, outreach and demonstration projects conducted by our grantees are a big part of the Leopold Center. Please take a moment to read through descriptions of what will be done and who will be doing it. Included in our portfolio are 19 new projects and 25 projects renewed for another year, bringing the total amount of grant-funded research at the Leopold Center to around $1.25 million. – Lois Wright Morton

TRANSITIONS
The Leopold Center’s latest annual report echoes the theme of “Transitions,” and reflects the Center’s efforts to continually reshape its programs to meet the changing needs of Iowa agriculture. If you would like to receive a copy of the 48-page printed report, contact the Center office at 515.294.3711, or you can view it by sections in PDF format on-line here

PIROG WILL HEAD NORTH
The Leopold Center will face another transition when long-time staffer and associate director Rich Pirog goes to Michigan State University to set up a new sustainable ag center in May. ISU Extension farm management specialist Craig Chase will assume many of Pirog’s duties through the end of the year. Details and a Q&A with Pirog

NEW LEOPOLD DOCUMENTARY
Central Iowans will have two free opportunities to watch the first full-length film about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold. The film, “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time,” will be shown Sunday, March 6 at the Ames Public Library as part of the annual Ames Reads Leopold event that begins a 1 p.m. (there also will be a panel discussion and readings from Aldo Leopold’s works). The public also is invited to a second screening on Monday, March 7. As part of the Iowa Water Conference, Leopold biographer Curt Meine will offer his views at 5 p.m. in Benton Auditorium of the Scheman Building, followed by the film and a reception with hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and entertainment. The Leopold Center is supporting both events. Details on our web calendar

CLIMATE CHANGE
Leopold Center Interim Director Lois Wright Morton will lead a new multi-state research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. A team from nine states will collect data over the next five years to help corn-based cropping systems adapt to impacts of climate change. Details on project website: http://www.sustainablecorn.org/

MARCH 31 WORKSHOP CANCELLED
For the past six years, the Leopold Center has hosted a public workshop featuring updates about Marketing and Food Systems Initiative projects and various working groups coordinated by the initiative. Due to the departure of Rich Pirog from the Leopold Center in May, the March 31 event is open only to project investigators and local leaders of the Regional Food Systems Working Group to discuss leadership transitions and other related matters.

LOTS OF OTHER ACTIVITIES
The Leopold Center is providing grants to support a number of events through our new Competitive Educational Support Program. These events are receiving Leopold Center grants: Annual Climate Prediction Applications Science Workshop, March 1-4, Des Moines; Iowa Network for Community Agriculture annual conference, March 5, Perry; Iowa Water Conference, March 7-8, Ames; All-Iowa Horticulture Exposition, March 25, Ottumwa; Midwest Aronia Association annual conference, April 8-9, Des Moines. Details on our web calendar

COVER CROPS
Iowa Learning Farms is hosting a March 10 workshop in Spencer and a March 16 webinar about cover crop management (which viewers can watch at any time after that date); go to www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/

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