Leopold Notes July 2012

Notes from the Leopold Center Archive

GOT IDEAS FOR PROJECTS?
This is the time of year when we ask researchers and others to give us their best ideas for projects, demonstrations and outreach. The type of work we want to support in the coming year is outlined in our 2012 Request for Pre-proposals, or RFP. Ideas must be submitted in the form of a 2-3 page concept paper from any Iowa nonprofit organization, agency or educational institution. Deadline is August 10.

Details here

SUMMER LEOPOLD LETTER
The latest issue of our quarterly newsletter is now online, including perspectives on sustainability by new Director Mark Rasmussen. Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann talks about virtual reality vs. just ‘being there’ in managing a farm. You’ll also learn about the important role of community gardens, forests as a potential source of renewable energy, arm, Iowa’s due of stewardship, Ukrainian hoops and lots more.

Check it out here

RESEARCH RESULTS
Summaries of 8 recently completed projects funded by the Leopold Center are now available. Click on the title below to read either a one-page summary or a multi-page summary of what was learned from the project:

• Iowa immigrant and refugee incubator farm program
• Regional Flavors
• South Central Iowa Area Partnership, local foods network
• Impacts of GAPs and post-harvest handling practices certificate trainings on producers’ on-farm food safety behaviors and perceptions of customers’ assurance
• Building a food system framework to advance food access and the health of Iowans – A blueprint for action
• Systems model and prototype development to capture and use rain water run-off from a high tunnel
• Quantifying Eastern red cedar in southern Iowa: A starting point for conversations with landowners about threats to grassland resilience
• Site-specific implementation of practices that alter the spatial/temporal distribution of grazing cattle to improve water quality of pasture streams in the Rathbun Lake watershed

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE FIELD DAY
The Leopold Center is partnering with the ISU Department of Horticulture and the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association to host a one-day workshop for fruit and vegetable growers on July 23 at the ISU Hort Station north of Ames. High tunnel production, biochar, apple root stock systems and organic methods will be covered.

Details here

WOODLANDS WORKING FOR WATER
That’s the title of our newest On the Ground video. ISU professor Jan Thompson explains her research to better understand the role of understory woodlands to improve water quality.

Watch it here

PRACTICES TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY
We have highlighted 11 conservation practices that landowners can adopt to protect and improve Iowa’s water quality – all the focus of research funded by the Leopold Center.

Read it here

NEW BLOG
You’ll want to check out the Iowa Learning Farms’ new blog, all about conservation.

http://iowalearningfarms.wordpress.com

WOMEN CARING FOR THE LAND
We had to pass along news about a wonderful new website from the Women, Food and Agriculture Network that has lots of conservation info created especially for female non-operator landowners

http://womencaringfortheland.org/
 

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The Leopold Center was established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act as a research and education center at Iowa State University to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. Iowa State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

This page was found at http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/notes/2012/july on 01/21/2013