Leopold Letter

Leopold Letter Spring 2012

melissal — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:55:46 +0000

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Farm-centered focus

Farm-centered focus: This issue highlights new research of the Leopold Center with a farm-centered focus – from cover crops and new food production tools to how farmers can understand and reduce their energy use. You’ll also learn about policy options from a recently completed project that would encourage renewable energy in rural Iowa, and two important anniversaries in 2012. Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann talks about how we need to focus on relationships rather than things in his quarterly commentary.

Leopold Letter Winter 2011

melissal — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:34:34 +0000

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A new era

A new era. 2012 marks a new chapter in the Leopold Center's 25-year history. Mark Rasmussen, a supervisory microbiologist for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has been appointed to lead the Leopold Center beginning June 1, 2012. Interim director Mark Honeyman continues his "voices from the past" commentary, and Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann talks about the need for a 50-year Farm Bill.

Leopold Letter Fall 2011

lwmiller — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:54:19 +0000

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Prairie benefits

Prairie benefits. Research shows that prairies offer more than beautiful landscapes – they’re a long-term investment in the health and resiliency of agriculture. When planted across the flow of water coming from crop fields, prairie conservation strips keep soil in place after high-intensity rainstorms, an increasingly common occurrence in the Corn Belt. Interim director Mark Honeyman describes Iowa agriculture’s early innovations; Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann offers two wake-up calls for our future.

Leopold Letter Summer 2011

melissal — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:48:47 +0000

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The search begins

The search begins. Iowa State President Geoffroy has started the ball rolling on a nationwide search for the next Leopold Center director. On-campus interviews are expected to happen in November, with a new leader in place by January. The Center also is moving forward with plans for new projects to fund: check out the 2011 RFP. Interim director Mark Honeyman shares his thoughts on the Center’s focus; Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann talks about the need to reorder priorities.

Leopold Letter Spring 2011

amyt — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:42:00 +0000

In transition: Change is underway at the Leopold Center with the departure of a long-time staff member and a new interim director. Learn more about the transition in this issue, work on 19 new projects, and details of the Iowa Local Food and Farm Plan. Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann explores the ‘feeding the world’ debate, and guest columnist Laura Jackson explains the difference between resilience and efficiency.

Leopold Letter Winter 2010

amyt — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:42:29 +0000

Organic promise: This issue recaps the 10th anniversary of the Iowa Organic Conference, the Leopold Center’s small but important role, and challenges ahead. You’ll also hear from Interim Director Lois Wright Morton and the important role that people have in creating innovations in the landscape, plus a look at resilience from two different but complementary perspectives. Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann talks about the food and agriculture landscape of our future.

Leopold Letter Fall 2010

amyt — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:00:06 +0000

Looking for resilience

Resilience – where is it, what does it look like and why we need it. Look at resilience through the eyes of researchers involved with two Leopold Center projects hit by heavy floods this summer, new Interim Director Lois Wright Morton and Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann. You’ll also see how longer crop rotations have mysteriously curbed Sudden Death Syndrome in soybean research plots and learn about a powerful new tool to explore new local food markets.

Leopold Letter Summer 2010

agweb — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:45:43 +0000

Making plans for a future

You cannot plan for the future without understanding the present. and this issue offers a glimpse into food production, farmland ownership and protecting Iowa’s water. Learn about a new Local Food and Farm Plan that the Iowa legislature has asked the Leopold Center to prepare, farmland ownership and its implications for conservation and the next generation of farmers, and how experts hope to improve the grassed waterways that protect Iowa streams from field runoff.

Leopold Letter Spring 2010

agweb — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:45:06 +0000

All kinds of agriculture

From beginning farmers, produce farmers and graziers to farmers seeking cover crop solutions, this issue looks at the needs of many kinds of farmers involved in agriculture today. Headlining this issue are the Leopold Center’s new competitive grant projects and a report from a national forum about America’s new farmers.

Leopold Letter Winter 2009

lwmiller — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:58:44 +0000

Looking at local

Look at what Iowans paid for local and non-local food, revealing surprises and opportunities for farmers. Another research project uses fire to improve forages in southern Iowa, and results of a recent study of the air inside hoops and confinement buildings. Policy and food politics are discussion topics for our regular commentaries.