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 publication focuses on the the best cleaning and sanitizing practices to improve produce quality and food safety on the farm. See related grant project M2010-14.

June 2011
Leopold Center Document On-farm Food Safety: Cleaning and Sanitizing Guide
Iowa State University Extension PM 1974C

This is a directory of organizations, programs, funders and consultants that offer various forms of assistance for Iowa producers, processors, food retailers and communities interested in local and regional food systems.

May 2011
Leopold Center Document Learning about Local: A Resource Guide to Iowa Organizations and Programs Supporting Local and Regional Food Systems
Rich Pirog, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and Mary Claire Geyer, ISU College of Agriculture

This study looks at the productivity and regional economic impacts of Iowa's small meat processors and the potential gains for rural communities if these processors could expand to fill markets for niche products.

April 2011
Leopold Center Document Exploring Small-Scale Meat Processing Expansions in Iowa
Dave Swenson, ISU Department of Economics

This study looks at the number of jobs that would be created and acres needed for Iowa farmers to provide more fresh fruit for Iowa's nine metropolitan areas (populations over 50,000).

April 2011
Leopold Center Document Measuring the Economic Impacts of Increased Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Production in Iowa Considering Metropolitan Demand
Dave Swenson, ISU Department of Economics

Presentation to the Iowa Land Tenure Policy Working Group about critical issues in land ownership. Results of a recent landowner survey in two Iowa watersheds also are presented.

April 2011
Non-operator Landownership and Conservation
ISU Extension Sociologist J. Gordon Arbuckle, Jr.

Overheads from the 2011 Shivvers Memorial Lecture Series.

February 2011
Will Climate Change Impact the Sustainability of Iowa Farms?
Eugene Takle, Iowa State University

This full-color, 26-page publication looks at ways that prairies can be incorporated into farms, how they affect nearby crops, what benefits they offer, and resources to establish your own prairie.

February 2011
Incorporating Prairies into Multifunctional Landscapes
Meghann E. Jarchow and Matt Liebman, Iowa State University

This publication has an easy checklist for farmers to follow from pre-production to post-harvest packing and transportation to increase food product safety on the farm. See related grant project M2010-14.

January 2011
Leopold Center Document On-farm Food Safety: Food Handling Guide
Iowa State University Extension PM 1974B

This study provided an overview of local food efforts in Iowa since 1995 and looked at the challenges and implications for increased local food production. It offers 34 recommendations that would boost the local food economy in Iowa, including creation of a state-level local food and farm program, education and training, potential funding sources and policy needs.

January 2011
Leopold Center Document Iowa Local Food and Farm Plan
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

This fact sheet provides a quick overview of potential economic benefits of increased local food production and consumption in Iowa. The fact sheet was prepared for a work session to develop recommendations for the Iowa Local Food and Farm Plan.

January 2011
Leopold Center Document Local Foods in Iowa: Increased Opportunities for Economic Growth
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture