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Center tells of 'Engaging Agriculture' at many levels in 2005 Engaging Agriculture” is the Leopold Center’s newest
annual report featuring the many activities and research
projects that were conducted or supported during fiscal
year 2005. In a 44-page publication with illustrations,
the Center shares the year’s striving and
accomplishments. The Leopold Center has sought to engage
agriculture at many levels and with individuals and
communities throughout the state. The annual report
reflects the important themes of value chains work,
landscape change and policy options for farmers who want
to operate sustainably.
Leopold Center research on how far food travels from where it is grown to where it is purchased has been referred to as the most widely-cited study on food miles in North America. The assessment is from the authors of a Canadian public health department study that looked at the distance traveled by 58 common foods before they reach supermarkets in southwestern Ontario. A web search on Google for “food miles” turns up more than 99 million entries, with the Leopold Center study fifth on the list. In recent months, the paper has been featured in a Columbia, Missouri newspaper article about nutrition, Audubon magazine, and the largest religious weekly newspaper in Canada. Rich Pirog, who directed the Leopold Center research, regularly fields inquiries from reporters and researchers on the project. He said he’s had more calls than usual, possibly due to the increase in fuel prices. Two food miles papers are on the Leopold Center web site at: The Flax Working Group of the Value Chain Partnerships project coordinated by the Leopold Center has launched a new web site. The site, www.valuechains.org/flax, has links to research on production, marketing, health and flax use in livestock rations. Established in November 2005, the group is a forum for flax producers, buyers, processors, agencies and consultants to exchange information and to work together to promote flax production in Iowa. Its goal is to help facilitate the growth and development of supply chains for organic and conventional flax that benefit Iowa farmers and rural communities and that are based on loyal, transparent and cooperative relationships between all parties. The group is guided by a management team with members from Iowa State University Extension, Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Leopold Center, along with farmer liaisons. The web site for the Iowa Produce Market Potential Calculator received an award of merit recently from the Society for Technical Communication. The site was selected from more than 100 entries in the category of user support tools. It was developed by Michele Regenold and Randy Boeckenstedt, from the ISU Center for Transportation Research; with support from Rich Pirog, Laura Miller, Andrew Hug and Mary Adams of the Leopold Center. The site, which calculates the supply and
demand of fresh produce that can be grown in Iowa, is at:
www.leopold.iastate.edu/research/calculator/home.htm Thanks to the Leopold Center, students of all ages will become more familiar with the writings of Aldo Leopold. Each year the Leopold Center provides copies of A Sand County Almanac to participants in the Iowa Master Conservationist program, which Iowa State University Extension will offer in 10 counties in 2006. ISU students who are part of the Biology Education Teaching and Learning (BETAL) community also receive a copy of the book. BETAL offers students an opportunity to become involved in service learning projects, social activities and conferences. Kirschenmann to serve on Pew Commission Leopold Center Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann is one of 18 members serving on the Pew Commission on Industrial Animal Production. This is a two-year collaborative effort between the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health to study U.S. production of livestock. The commission will host a series of hearings throughout the United States and prepare a report of its findings. Other members include Kansas Governor John Carlin, Bill Nieman who founded Niman Ranch meats, and actress Daryl Hannah. |
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Back to Spring 2006 Leopold Letter
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