Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

On The Ground with the Leopold Center Archive


Testing a Trio: Prairie Strips, Row Crops and Birds

Iowa farmers can create vital habitat for grassland birds by incorporating small strips of native prairies into row-cropped fields. Anna MacDonald, ISU graduate student in wildlife ecology, discusses a Leopold Center research project at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Filmed November 2011.

Cattle Grazing for Healthier Pastures

Mob, strip and rotational grazing offer options to farmers for managing cattle to create healthier pastures. Jim Russell and Margaret Dunn, Iowa State University Department of Animal Science, discuss a Leopold Center project that compares the three systems. Filmed August 2011. News release

Grazing Native Grasslands at Whiterock

Tolif Hunt, executive director of Whiterock Conservancy, and ecologist Elizabeth Hill describe how cattle grazing can add beneficial disturbance to Iowa's native grasslands. The Leopold Center-funded project will compile nutritional data into a calendar to help landowners take advantage of this management tool. Filmed June 2010.

On-Farm Practices to Reduce Nitrate Loading to Shallow Wells

Dordt College researcher Robb De Haan and farmer Matt Schuiteman discuss a Leopold Center project on alternative cropping systems that help hold nitrogen in place, protecting shallow wells that supply the residents of Sioux Center, Iowa. Filmed June 2010.

Cover on the Ground - All Winter Long

Mary Wiedenhoeft, professor in ISU's Department of Agronomy, and Stefans Gailans, a Ph.D. student, discuss a Leopold Center-funded project on alternative crop systems using spring and winter varieties of canola and wheat. Filmed May 2010.

Farming for Untroubled Waters: Time, Tools Make a Difference

Bear Creek Watershed, a nationally recognized project by the USDA in Story County, Iowa, has 20 years of research under its belt. The research done there involves riparian buffers, and how they benefit the surrounding land and water. Hear from Iowa State researcher Tom Isenhart and what he hopes to learn from two new projects at the site in part I/III of our Bear Creek series, "Farming for Untroubled Waters." Filmed November 2010. News release

Farming for Untroubled Waters: Reconnecting Tiles and Buffers

Bear Creek Watershed, a nationally recognized project by the USDA in Story County, Iowa, has 20 years of research under its belt. The research done there involves riparian buffers, and how they benefit the surrounding land and water. Hear from soil scientist Dan Jaynes and what he hopes to learn from two new projects at the site in part II/III of our Bear Creek series, "Farming for Untroubled Waters." Filmed November 2010.

Farming for Untroubled Waters: Buffered Streams and Uplands

Bear Creek Watershed, a nationally recognized project by the USDA in Story County, Iowa, has 20 years of research under its belt. The research done there involves riparian buffers, and how they benefit the surrounding land and water. Hear from Iowa State researcher Dick Schultz and Iowa Department of Natural Resources researcher Keith Schilling about what they hope to learn from two new projects at the site in part III/III of our Bear Creek series, "Farming for Untroubled Waters." Filmed November 2010.

Grazing, Browsing and Conservation Partnerships: Overview

Polk County Conservation natural resource specialist Loren Lown hopes that goats and cattle grazing in the Chichagua Bottoms Wildlife Area will rejuvenate habitat and control invasive species. Also hear from Iowa farmers, who own the goats and cattle, about the benefits they get from this Leopold Center ecology project. Filmed August 2010.

Grazing, Browsing and Conservation Partnerships: Goats

Polk County Conservation natural resource specialist Loren Lown hopes that goats and cattle grazing in the Chichagua Bottoms Wildlife Area will rejuvenate habitat and control invasive species. Also hear from Iowa farmers, who own the goats and cattle, about the benefits they get from this Leopold Center ecology project. Filmed August 2010.