More projects in the works

The Leopold Center's first call for projects and partners to begin work on the new marketing, ecology and policy initiatives resulted in ideas and proposals from 79 groups and individuals.

"We were very pleased to receive 79 letters that represent many creative and imaginative ways we can help shape a new agriculture for Iowa," said Leopold Center director Fred Kirschenmann. "Staff members are anxious to develop the new partners and programs to bring the future directions to the ground in recognizable programs. But they also understand that there is a different environment in Iowa for each of these initiatives that they are charged to keep integrated as a whole."

This was reflected in staff discussion of the broad range of ideas that came with the first call in September. "We didn't have too many letters focused heavily on policy but that is understandable," explains Mike Duffy, leading the policy initiative. "Most policy research will rise in conjunction with other work, answering questions needed to put other pieces in place."

Of the letters related to markets, leader Rich Pirog notes that the challenge is making the best choices in a rapidly evolving environment. "There's a lot of excitement in the local food system and value chain markets, but we need to keep these folks linked so that the best decisions are made for the people of Iowa."

"People find it easiest to focus on specific research and conservation demonstration activities and there are some interesting projects in the mix," said Jeri Neal, leader of the ecology initiative. "I think the keys that will make ecological design the default goal for Iowa's agriculture and communities are still out there."

Staff members will have completed preliminary evaluations for proposal development just after this issue goes to press.