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By Laura Miller, Newsletter editor
As a result of its first call for proposals in nearly two years, the Leopold Center has approved grants for 17 new projects and renewed grants for 14 projects that were already in progress.
These new and renewed projects are part of a competitive grants program that has been reconfigured to support the Center’s three research initiatives in policy, marketing and food systems, and ecology. The newest projects are the result of a call for proposals issued in May 2003 by the Leopold Center’s Food and Marketing Systems Initiative and the Policy Initiative. Additionally, eight new special projects that relate directly to initiative work also are underway.
Nine of the new competitive grants are for projects in the Marketing and Food Systems Initiative led by Rich Pirog. Projects will feature research needed to market locally raised and processed meat, specialty forest products and the emerging market for wine and grape juice. The initiative also is funding four special projects and using other funds to leverage grants from the USDA and W.K. Kellogg Foundation for additional work.
Competitive grants also will help launch some of the Leopold Center’s first work in the policy arena. Eight projects under discussion will be coordinated by Leopold Center Policy Initiative leader Mike Duffy. Proposed work includes research on producer groups and farmer collective bargaining units, the impacts of the new federal organic standards, the impact of funding decisions on midsize farming operations, and the impact of alternative farm definitions on government programs. Project details will be announced at a later date.
The Leopold Center has conducted a competitive grants program since 1988 in accordance with legislation that established the center. The process has included an annual invitation to researchers and educators, asking them to submit project proposals that are evaluated by staff, a 17-member advisory board and outside reviewers.
In September 2001, a targeted call for proposals was issued for projects that related to the Center’s new directions in marketing, policy and ecology. The 13 projects that resulted from the 2001 call for proposals were limited in size and scope due to budget cuts at the Center, and no call for proposals was issued in 2002.
Six of the projects from the 2001 call for proposals – three in marketing and three in ecology — were renewed for the coming year. Eight projects in the Center’s former competitive grants program were renewed and will complete work in the coming year.
Marketing Initiative 2004 Grants
The Marketing and Food Systems Initiative is funding nine new projects totaling $147,405 in the coming year. All projects will be conducted during the 2004 fiscal year that ends June 30, 2004, unless otherwise noted. Several other projects generated by the May 2003 request for preproposals are still under review.
- Assessing the market potential of specialty forest products in local food systems, $10,035, C. Teator, Trees Forever, Marion (M08-2004) Project investigators will interview 25 producers of specialty forest products (fruit, nuts, woody decorative florals and mushrooms) in southeastern and north central Iowa and current and potential buyers in the same areas, including wholesale produce auctions and local food marketers. They also will work with landowners who have already set aside land for the establishment of riparian buffers.
- Company environmental and social positioning as sources of competitive advantage: Implications for sustainable agricultural producers, $25,820, T. DeCarlo, ISU College of Business (M05-2004) Researchers will use a web-based survey of Midwestern consumers to measure whether local ownership and perception of public image has any impact on food products marketed for their positive environmental and social aspects.
- Documenting the costs and benefits of whole animal local meat purchases by three northeast Iowa institutions, $12,500, K. Enshayan, Center for Energy and Environmental Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls (M06-2004) The UNI Local Food Project will look at economic advantages and other benefits and costs associated with whole animal purchases of locally raised and processed meat by UNI, Allen Hospital and Bartels Lutheran Home in Waverly.
- Leveraging student expertise to solve food production marketing problems, $15,292, K.M. Palan, ISU College of Business (M03-2004) Iowa State University students would work in teams with Iowa food and fiber producers to develop marketing plans and strategies and analysis of their food products. The effort combines marketing students from the College of Business and agricultural business students from the College of Agriculture.
- Local food capacity in north central Iowa: Nutritional need, economic strategy, $9,390, J. Libbey, Kanawha (M21-2004) Investigators will document the economic and community impacts of a one-year-old local food effort in Wright County.
- Market analysis of alternative crop production in Iowa, $25,000, S. Andrle, ISU Center for Transportation Research and Education (M09-2004) Investigators will develop county-level retail estimates for selected fruit and vegetables, then trace how the current infrastructure (for transportation, storage, etc.) has contributed to “end product” cost. The information will be used to evaluate competitive advantages to market locally or regionally grown produce in Iowa and the Upper Midwest.
- Supply chain options for bio-based businesses, $6,997, R. Lummus, ISU College of Business (M13-2004) Investigators will look at existing business structures in bio-based and other businesses that provide opportunities for producer ownership, involvement or equity positions across the value chain.
- Supporting direct meat marketing in Iowa, $22,371, R. Karp, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Ames (M17-2004) Investigators will conduct a feasibility study of marketing sustainable meat products through cooperative buying clubs, CSAs and a local produce distribution company. Workshops for farmers and processors are planned in northeast and southwest Iowa. They also will produce marketing materials for grass-based food products.
- Web-based interactive decision model for determining economic feasibility of growing grapes and establishing a small winery for wine and grape juice, $20,000 each year for two years; M. Holz-Clause, ISU Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, and G. Nonnecke, ISU horticulture (M16-2004) This project will set up an interactive web site to help entrepreneurswho have an interest in growing organic and nonorganic grapes and producing grape juice or wine to have a realistic understanding of what’s needed for a successful business. They will produce four videos with basic information about agri-tourism, operating a winery, and marketing decisions.
New initiative work, special projects
In addition to projects funded as part of the RFP process, several special projects also began during the past year. These projects relate directly to one of the Leopold Center’s three initiatives or are time-sensitive in nature. Some grants are used to obtain additional funding or to complete work within a larger project with numerous partners.
- Marketing and Food Systems Initiative
- Case studies of the development and efficacy of pasture-raised meat marketing messages: Iowa lamb case study, 1 year (began June 2003), $7,150 (MSP2-2004) This project funds a case study of an Iowa lamb producer to develop strategic marketing messages for pasture-raised lamb. The larger project includes six case studies of beef, dairy and poultry producers in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Other partners are the ISU Extension Value-Added and Sustainable Ag programs, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, and Wisconsin’s Center for Integrated Ag Systems.
- Cost data collection and analysis for alternative pork systems, 1 year (extended to December 2003), $7,500; D. Stender, ISU Extension, Cherokee (PNMWG-5) The Pork Niche Market Working Group is working with northwest Iowa pork producers to gather production costs that can be used for business planning and with lenders for entry and expansion into niche pork markets.
- Ecolabel Value Assessment Project, 3 months (began May 2003), $11,800; T. DeCarlo and M. Upah, ISU College of Business and Papajohn Entrepreneurial Institute (MSP3-2004) ISU business and marketing students worked with Center staff and a faculty researchers to conduct market research on ecolabels with consumers in the Upper Midwest and the Seattle and Boston metro areas.
- Evaluating on-farm food handling practices and microbiological quality of locally grown produce and eggs, 1 year (began May 2003), $25,385; C. Strohbehn and D. Henroid, ISU hotel, restaurant and institution management (MSP1-2004) Investigators will visit farms and interview up to 14 producers participating in this pilot project designed to increase their ability to assess and implement best practices on the farm to ensure food safety for the hotel, restaurant and institutional markets. Producer-identified concerns will be used to plan a Nov. 19 workshop.
- Ecology Initiative
- Effects of biomass harvest on soil erosion and carbon sequestration, 6 months (began January 2003), $10,000; T. Richard, ISU agricultural and biosystems engineering (E7-2003) The project investigator used the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) simulation models to study the effects of biomass harvest on erosion and soil carbon under typical Iowa conditions. Several cropping systems were considered, including corn stover and other crop residues harvested as raw material for bio-based manufacturing and energy production. Erosion at different crop residue removal rates was compared on different soils and on different slopes, and showed that soil type had a smaller effect on erosion than did slope or biomass removal rate.
- Special Projects
- Combine clean-out for identity-preserved grains, 1 of 2 years (began September 2003), $30,000; M. Hanna, ISU agricultural and biosystems engineering (SP Combine CO-2004) Producer ability to take advantage of emerging, value-added markets will often depend on improved field production techniques. The project investigator will conduct replicated clean-outs of a single combine used in both corn and soybean harvests to measure the amount of crop remaining in several different areas of the combine, and the purity level achieved in the next grain harvested by the combine. Estimates of potential grain in various parts of the combine and estimates of the labor required for cleanout will allow farmers to better evaluate costs for various purity requirements.
- Implementing a leafy spurge (Euphoriba esula L. or E. x pseudovirgata) biological control agent release and monitoring program in Iowa, 1 of 3 years (began summer 2003), $9,200; R. Pope, B. Hartzler, J. DeWitt, ISU entomology (SP Spurge-2004) Leafy spurge is a perennial native to central Europe that has been a problem in western rangelands of the United States because of its stout rhizomes, unpalatability to grazing animals and quick regrowth. Students at Dordt College will be trained to identify leafy spurge and spurge flea beetles that feed on the plants to document significant infestations in Sioux, Ida and Dickinson counties in northwest Iowa. Investigators hope to establish beetles in selected leafy spurge infestations during the first year and monitor their effectiveness at controlling leafy spurge during subsequent years of the project.
- Pesticide use on conventional and GM crops: A three-crop NASS analysis, 6 months (began August 2003), $2,000 (SP NASS data-2004) The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports pesticide use for major agricultural crops both by state and nationally. The Leopold Center and several partners are funding an analysis by Benbrook Consulting Services to develop tables and offer observations regarding pesticide and herbicide usage for conventional and GM crops. The analysis will focus on insecticide use patterns for corn and cotton, and herbicide use patterns for corn, cotton and soybean.
Competitive Grant Renewals
Six grants from the Leopold Center’s 2001 call for proposals have been renewed for another year. These projects, selected in terms of their relevance to the Center’s three initiatives, began July 1, 2002.
- Grinnell area local food system initiative, year 1 of 2; $17,500; J. Andelson, Center for Prairie Studies, Grinnell College (M1-2003) Working with the Grinnell Area Local Food Alliance (GALFA), this project includes a survey of local institutions to determine interest in using locally produced food to develop a system to supply those products. The project was delayed due to a change in principal investigators.
- Investigating Iowa plants as natural dyes, year 2 of 2; $11,516; S. Kadolph, ISU apparel, educational studies, and hospitality management (M6-2003) This project explores the use of Iowa plants (fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, and vines) for their potential as natural dyestuffs to replace synthetic dyes.
- Life in Iowa Homecoming Institute, year 2 of 3; $15,000; N. Bevin, ISU Extension (M2-2003) Life in Iowa is an undergraduate program at Iowa State University in which students earn three credits after completing a 10-week summer internship and at least 100 hours of volunteer work in a participating Iowa community. The goal is to develop student leadership and help participating communities create a sustainable quality of life. This grant funded five students in 2003 and two students in 2002 in internships that focused on sustainable agriculture, food systems and environmental projects.
- Alternative farrowing systems during cold weather, year 2 of 2, $25,829; M. Honeyman, ISU Research Farms; J. Harmon, ISU agricultural and biosystems engineering; and J. Kliebenstein, ISU economics (E3-2003) Many new pork niche markets require farrowing outdoors or indoors in bedded pens, which makes winter farrowing difficult and results in a scarcity of marketable fresh pork during the summer. This project is designed to document successful management practices, design appropriate technology and develop budgets and sensitivity tables for producers interested in winter farrowing. Investigators believe they have a significant production breakthrough with a combination of modified huts and a radiant heater.
- Biological control of the soybean aphid in organic and sustainable soybean production systems, year 2 of 3, $27,000; J. Zhu, ISU entomology; R. Exner, Practical Farmers of Iowa and ISU Extension (E2-2003) The primary treatment for soybean aphid infestation has been sprays. This project is exploring biological management options in field situations, and training farmers about different options for managing levels of aphid predators as well as aphid populations. Preliminary work has identified several predatory insects and parasitoids other than the originally targeted lacewings and lady beetles. Researchers also have identified several aphid and soybean plant associated volatiles that were attractive to the aphid predators. Early field work using the attractants reduced soybean aphid populations.
- Developing prototypes of environmentally sustainable family-owned beef feedlots in the Elk River watershed, year 2 of 3; $28,000; J. Zacharakis-Jutz, L. Hunt, ISU Extension, and B. Van Laere, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Clinton County (E5-2003) Project coordinators are working with cooperating farmers to develop and construct one to two prototypes of environmentally-friendly cattle feedlot treatments suitable for family farms. No- or low-cost third-party environmental assessments are being offered for interested feedlot operators in the watershed. Activities and education activities associated with the project will be coordinated through the Elk River Watershed Council.
In addition to renewed or special projects that are part of the ecology, marketing and policy initiatives, eight research projects funded under the Leopold Center’s former competitive grants program will complete work during the coming year. These projects are in a third or fourth year of funding and were started before the Center revamped its competitive grants program in 2001.
- Developing a local food system in association with business and industry, year 3 of 3, $9,780; W. Johnson, Limestone Bluffs RC&D, Maquoketa (2002-67) A group of agricultural producers, in conjunction with local businesses and a sheltered workshop, created a subscription sales demonstration project for local food. The second year of the project was harmed by the loss of several early crops due to severe weather and flooding. Weekly subscription lists have been altered to emphasize frozen meats and value-added goods, but the project still lacks sufficient subscriber demand. In the third year, Quad City markets are being explored for subscription potential.
- Economically sustainable riparian buffer to promote bank stability and reduce gully erosion and phosphorus runoff in the Loess Hills, year 3 of 3, $29,500; M. Kelly, ISU natural resource ecology and management (2002-30) 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. The buffer has been successfully installed and has exhibited good growth for the cottonwoods.The direct-seeded walnut planting showed very high germination and survival rates. Data are being collected to determine buffer effectiveness in reducing phosphorus movement in detached soil, and overland and subsurface flow.
- Effects of grazing management on sediment and phosphorus losses from pastures, year 3 of 3, $35,00; Leopold Center agroecology and animal management issue teams and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Ames (2002-U19) This effort has focused on quantifying the effects of grazing management practices on losses of phosphorus and nitrogen in surface runoff, and to develop best management practices. Early results indicate that sediment and phosphorus losses in pasture runoff can be managed through rotational stocking to maintain adequate sward height and/or by using vegetative buffer strips along streams.
- Incorporating grassland agriculture into row crop production systems, year 3 of 3, $11,200; M. Mensching, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Knoxville (2002-39) The project goal is to increase farmer use of grass-based conservation alternatives in Madison, Warren, Marion and Mahaska counties. A farm was selected in each county to serve as a demonstration site. The producers (who will receive incentive payments for participation) are providing economic and management information for incorporating grasslands into crop production systems on marginal soils. Each farm offers a unique perspective and soil conservation and management challenge.
- Investigation of the influence of tillage for management of woolly cupgrass, year 4 of 4, $10,800; M. Owen, ISU agronomy (2001-56) This research looks at woolly cupgrass response to various management practices. Data are not yet clear regarding the best tillage-weed management regimes, but it is clear that timing is very important. To be most effective, tillage should occur later in April or early in May, a few weeks after initial emergence. Woolly cupgrass emergence occurred in mid-April of each year of the study so far, but tillage on or shortly after first emergence did not reduce later season populations of the weed.
- Organic matter nutrient budgeting, year 3 of 3, $40,00 (2002-4) This is a collaborative effort with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. Investigators are working closely with farmer cooperators to develop and document a nutrient budgeting tool that will assist farmers in management decisions to cut excess nutrients from their farming practices without assuming extra risk. The project is primarily concerned with tightening corn budgets and managing soil organic matter.
- Sustainable grape production for the reestablishment of Iowa’s grape industry, year 3 of 3, $14,234; G. Nonnecke, ISU horticulture (2002-46) In response to increased interest in viticulture in Iowa, researchers are looking at whole-systems management practices related to culture and training, pest management and cultivars suitable for grape growing in Iowa. Three production systems (conventional, best management, and organic) and 15 cultivars have been established in central and southwestern Iowa. Preliminary data have been obtained for cultivar performance, herbicide drift injury, vine hardening and leaf senescence.
- Sustaining agricultural producers through direct marketing of processed foods, year 3 of 3, $6,000; C. Chase, ISU Extension, Waterloo (2002-16) Many agricultural producers want to look beyond commodity crops toward food crops to increase farm profitability. Before farmers invest time and money to make these changes, they need information about the potential demand for various processed food products, and profitability of various raw food and processed food products. This education and demonstration project is collecting data to address these questions.
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