Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Pubs & Papers

Research can take many forms and lead to many different outcomes. The ultimate goal is sustainability – for the landscape, Iowa’s people and natural resources. Below is a list of intermediate outcomes of Leopold Center-supported projects, partnerships and activities. Included are extension publications, in-house research projects, informative presentations and other reports – all with some link to the Leopold Center.

All Pubs & Papers are PDFs, which require a free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click on the image or title to view the PDF.

Leopold Center Document These materials were written, reviewed or presented by Leopold Center staff. All other materials are related or based on projects supported by the Leopold Center.

Pub & Papers here are sorted by date with the newest at the top. You can filter the list by selecting a topic area below and clicking "Apply." To see all again you can select "<Any>" as the topic, or click here. There is also an alphabetical listing available.

Learn about deep-bedded group nursing systems for feeder pig production.

September 2006
Swine System Options for Iowa: Swedish Deep-Bedded Group Nursing Systems for Feeder Pig Production
Iowa State University Extension SA 12

Collaborative Community Supported Agriculture serves as a business incubator for new growers, helps existing growers expand and diversify, and offers a host of other benefits to Iowa communities. 

September 2006
The Role of Collaborative Community Supported Agriculture: Lessons from Iowa
Corry Bregendahl and Cornelia Butler Flora, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development

In this paper Kirschenmann outlines the need to connect human health and nutrition with the system that provides many of the foods for the U.S. population. It was published as part of the agricultural initiative of the Glynwood Center in Cold Spring, New York.

August 2006
Leopold Center Document Food, Farming and Health
Leopold Center Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann

An analysis of four mainstay USDA research and rural development grant programs found that only five percent of the nearly $500 million provided direct benefits to, or were relevant for, small and mid-sized farms and ranches or beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States. The project was funded in part by a grant from the Leopold Center's Policy Initiative (P2003-13).

August 2006
The Impact and Benefits of USDA Research and Grant Programs to Enhance Mid-size Farm Profitability and Rural Community Success
Center for Rural Affairs

This report was the original concept plan for the Regional Food Systems Working Group. It outlines a vision for creating a vibrant, sustainable food system across Iowa.

August 2006
Leopold Center Document Developing a Vibrant and Sustainable Regional Food System: Suggestions for Community-Based Groups
Regional Food Systems Working Group Subcommittee

This article, developed by members of the Pork Niche Market Working Group, was published in American Society of Animal Science.

August 2006
Leopold Center Document The United States Pork Niche Market Phenomenon
M.S. Honeyman, R.S. Pirog, G.H. Huber, P.J. Lammers, and J.R. Hermann

This report includes the history of the Berkshire breed, its characteristics, and information for production and marketing. It was developed for the Pork Niche Market Working Group. See also the Berkshire Production Decision Aids.

August 2006
Berkshire Swine Production and Marketing
Larry K. McMullen, ISU Extension Field Specialist

This report from the Regional Food Systems Working Group summarizes the marketing and business planning needs of Iowa farmers who either market directly to the end consumer or market through a supply group.

June 2006
Leopold Center Document Analysis and Comparison of the Technical and Business Planning Needs of Iowa Farmers Marketing Directly to Consumers and Iowa Farmers Marketing through Supply Chains
Connie Hardy, Mary Holtz-Clause and Craig Chase, ISU Extension Value Added Agriculture Program

This speech was presented at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Northern Plains Conference of the United Church of Christ, Bismarck, North Dakota on June 10, 2006.

June 2006
Leopold Center Document Revitalizing Rural Communities: How Churches Can Help
Leopold Center Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann

This study found that 4,000 job and $302 million in sales would be added to the Iowa economy if Iowans ate five servings of fruit and vegetables every day and just 25 percent of those servings were Iowa-grown.

May 2006
Leopold Center Document The Economic Impacts of Increased Fruit and Vegetable Production and Consumption in Iowa: Phase II
Dave Swenson, ISU Department of Economics