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.

This report presents analysis of data from the 2010 Farm Poll survey, which included a series of questions about the potential environmental and agronomic benefits of cover crops, barriers to and facilitators of cover crop use, and interest in learning more about them. More about the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

March 2012
Attitudes Toward Cover Crops in Iowa: Benefits and Barriers
J. Gordon Arbuckle, Jr., and John Ferrell, Iowa State University Extension PMR 1010

This report summarizes interviews with leaders of 15 local food groups participating in the Regional Food Systems Working Group. Leaders were asked about current and future projects, their vision for a regional food system, successes and challenges, how they measure progress, strategies and advice for other groups.

March 2012
Leopold Center Document The Current State of Regional Food System Work in Iowa
Joanna Hamilton, Leopold Center Graduate Student Intern

This white paper summarizes the findings of a Policy Initiative grant (P2010-02) that focused on how feed-in tariffs (FITs) can encourage farmers, homeowners and businesses to invest in small-scale renewable energy projects. News release

February 2012
Renewable Energy Incentive Rates: Potential Opportunities for Iowa Farmers
Nathaniel Baer, Iowa Environmental Council, Gregg Heide, Iowa Farmers Union, Rich Dana, National Center for Appropriate Technology, et. al.

This preliminary report to the Iowa legislature describes the activities of the Local Food and Farm Program from September 2011 to mid-January 2012. The program seeks to promote local foods and increase farmer profitability in Iowa. Learn more here.

January 2012
Leopold Center Document Local Food and Farm Program Preliminary Report
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

This seven-page fact sheet describes a system to catch, store and reuse rainwater for irrigation in high tunnels. It resulted from a Leopold Center Ecology Grant (E2011-14). Watch a video about this project.

January 2012
Leopold Center Document Rainwater Catchment from a High Tunnel for Irrigation Use
Shawn Shouse and Linda Naeve, Iowa State University Extension PM 3017

This 24-page manual, adapted from GROWN Locally, helps local food cooperatives improve their handling practices and meet food safety standards. Read news release.

October 2011
Leopold Center Document Grower's Manual: A Template for Grower Cooperatives
Joanna Hamilton, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and GROWN Locally

Kirschenmann outlines several shifts that will need to take place – and the opportunities they present – in a future of more people and fewer natural resources. The paper was prepared for presentation and discussion at a September 2011 gathering in Mountain Sky, Montana.

October 2011
Leopold Center Document Seeking What Works at What Scale
Leopold Center Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann

This fact sheet explains how woodchip bioreactors reduce nitrate in subsurface drainage systems. It includes tips on how to install and use bioreactors, their positive and negative impacts, and their costs. Learn more about this project.
 

October 2011
Woodchip Bioreactors for Nitrate in Agricultural Drainage
Laura Christianson and Matthew Helmers, Iowa State University Extension PMR 1008

A survey of Iowa producers, agricultural lenders and crop insurance agents showed a need for ongoing education about "sustainable agriculture" and its benefits, and policy changes in the 2012 Farm Bill. Read news release

August 2011
Leopold Center Document Credit, Crop Insurance and Sustainable Agriculture in Iowa
Center for Rural Affairs and Iowa Farmers Union

This two-page checklist provides a list of specific questions for retail foodservice buyers to ask growers of fresh produce. See related grant project M2010-14.

July 2011
Checklist for Retail Purchasing of Local Produce
Amy Casselman, Catherine Strohbehn, and Sam Beattie, ISU Extension PM 2046a