Funding for these grants begins July 1, 2001. When inquiring about a specific grant, please refer to the number in parentheses at the end of the project description.
Agriculture and Community
Sustaining Agricultural Producers through Direct Marketing of Processed Foods, year 1 of 3, $6,100; C. Chase, Black Hawk County ISU Extension, Waterloo—This education and demonstration project investigates potential returns for farmers who are considering the switch from commodity to food crops. Investigators will first focus on demand and profitability for various processed food products, and then look at related food business startup issues, from production and safety to planning and market development. (2002-16)
Local Food Connections: From Farms to Restaurants, year 1 of 2, $12,000; R. Karp, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Ames—Drawing upon experience in their local food systems program, investigators are developing information for a four-page fact sheet and resource manual for producers who want to market products to restaurants. Topics will include post-harvest handling, quality control, pricing, packaging, marketing, customer relations, legal/health issues and producer cooperation. (2002-29)
Developing a Local Food System in Association with Business and Industry, year 1 of 3, $20,560; W. Johnson, Limestone Bluffs RC&D, Maquoketa—A group of agricultural producers, in conjunction with local businesses and a sheltered workshop, will create a local food subscription sales demonstration project. Plans include three sites for distribution of fresh and frozen local foods and preserved products. The goal is to raise awareness and demand for local products, and introduce season-extending and value-added opportunities for local producers. (2002-67)
Crop and/or Forage Systems
The Value of CRP Filter Strips for Grassland Bird Communities, year 1 of 2, $5,000; L. Best, Department of Animal Ecology, ISU—The investigator plans to evaluate bird use and bird productivity in CRP filter strips to determine if the strips represent a boon or an ecological trap. The study will document species composition, abundance and nesting success in conjunction with strip width, plant species and proximity of woody vegetation for both game and nongame birds. (2002-04)
Development of Switchgrass as a Viable Agricultural Commodity for Farmers in Southern Iowa, year 1 of 2, $9,000; M. Braster, Chariton Valley RC&D, Centerville—This project continues funding to develop and distribute information and educational materials for the multi-county, multi-agency Chariton Valley Biomass power project. Topics include establishment and management of switchgrass for biomass, carbon sequestration, water quality, and the economics and additional environmental impacts of these processes. (2002-26)
Incorporating Grassland Agriculture Into Row Crop Production Systems, year 1 of 3, $20,000; M. Mensching, USDA-NRCS, Knoxville—The project goal is to increase farmer use of grass-based conservation alternatives in Madison, Warren, Marion and Mahaska counties. Planned activities include workshops, surveys, analysis and on-farm demonstrations about critical area seeding, contour buffer strips, grassed headlands, grassed waterways, rotational grazing, filter strips and forage and seed production, marketing and comprehensive farm financial analysis. (2002-39)
Sustainable Grape Production for the Reestablishment of Iowa's Grape Industry, year 1 of 3, $20,880; Gail Nonnecke, Department of Horticulture, ISU—In response to increased interest in viticulture in Iowa, experimental field plots will be established in central and southwest Iowa, and on-farm research conducted, in an effort to identify sustainable management tools for growers. Researchers will be primarily looking at plant management issues such as cultivar performance, training systems for vines, and integrated pest management. They also plan to write a producer guide to grape pest management. (2002-46)
Pest Management
The Effects of Thrips on Strawberry Production in Iowa, year 1 of 2, $10,770; J. Obrycki, Department of Entomology, ISU—Beginning in 1994, strawberry growers adopted regular early-season insecticide applications to control thrips, minute insects whose feeding habits are suspected of being the agent behind bronzing damage. Investigators plan to document the level of thrips activity, if any, and to determine the actual losses and best management practices to help growers manage strawberry crops (2002-47)
Water Quality
Economically Sustainable Riparian Buffer to Promote Bank Stability and Reduce Gully Erosion and Phosphorus Runoff in the Loess Hills, year 1 of 3, $27,500; J. Kelly, Department of Forestry, ISU—Investigators propose to evaluate the effectiveness of a tree-based riparian buffer in the Deep Loess Hills for suitability in managing landscape issues such as erosion and phosphorus movement. Plant materials chosen are those that have potential economic value for owners: cottonwood, black walnut, bromegrass and alfalfa mix, and switchgrass. (2002-30)
Understanding the Potential of Phosphorus Transport to Water Resources via Leaching, year 1 of 2, $24,064; J. Baker, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, ISU—Most of the current work to determine practices and policies that can reduce the total maximum daily load of phosphorus (P) in water supplies is through gross assessments of P leaching into surface water through subsurface drainage tile flows. Investigators in this project hope to provide new information and understanding about P movement in P-deficient subsoils, and to determine if such soils significantly lose their capacity to remove P over time. (2002-40)