News Releases Leopold Center

New directory highlights ISU local food resources

lwmiller — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:34:21 +0000

AMES, Iowa – If you think local food stops at the Saturday morning farmers market, think again. Iowa State University offers a host of organizations, programs and classes related to local food systems.

Spring brings lush cover with experimental canola crop

melissal — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:14:05 +0000

BOONE COUNTY, Iowa -- Farmers have just begun planting corn and soybean in Iowa’s bare fields, but on experimental plots in Boone County, a lush green crop already covers the ground.

Canola, the source of a healthful vegetable oil, may provide a marketable third crop for Iowa that helps conserve soil and prevent nutrient loss, according to research funded by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture’s Ecology Initiative.

New resources for rainwater catchment system for high tunnel irrigation

lwmiller — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:51:10 +0000

AMES, Iowa -- A potential problem for Iowa fruit and vegetable growers can be turned into a liquid asset, thanks to a one-year research project conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and funded by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

High tunnels are inexpensive, simple, passive-solar greenhouses in which crops are grown directly in the soil. They allow growers to extend the season and produce high yields of quality produce earlier and later than field-grown crops, thus getting to market earlier and commanding a higher price.

Leopold Center reports on four completed projects

lwmiller — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:29:45 +0000

AMES, Iowa -- The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture website is featuring results from four recently completed projects. The Center provides support for research, education, and demonstration projects to help Iowa farmers at all levels with production and marketing issues. Among the recently completed projects:

Leopold Center accepting nominations for 2012 Spencer Award

melissal — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:09:33 +0000

AMES, Iowa – The Leopold Center invites nominations for the 2012 Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture, which honors people who have made a significant contribution to the ecological and economic stability of Iowa’s family farms.

You may nominate yourself or others for the award. Submit your nomination form, along with two letters of support, to the Leopold Center by June 15, 2012.

Videos demonstrate how farmers reduce fossil fuel use

melissal — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:43:36 +0000

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – To further help Iowa farmers on small to mid-sized operations learn ways to reduce their reliance on fossil fuel use, the Iowa Farm Energy Working Group produced three videos of farmers telling how they use energy efficiency, conservation, or renewable energy successfully on their farms.

Iowans invited to discuss local food at upcoming summit

melissal — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:15:36 +0000

AMES, Iowa -- Join a diverse group of Iowans at the Iowa Local Food Summit on Tuesday, April 3 to make your voice heard about creating a more vibrant food system for our state.

'Symphony of the Soil' film to premiere in two Iowa cities

lwmiller — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:17:06 +0000

Celebrate the complexity and mystery of soil at the Iowa premieres of a new documentary film, Symphony of the Soil. Screenings and a panel discussion with the filmmaker will take place on Tuesday, March 27 at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and on Wednesday, March 28 at Iowa State University in Ames.The UNI event will begin at 7 p.m. in Lang Auditorium. The ISU event will begin at 6 p.m. in Coover Hall Auditorium. Both events are free and open to the public.

Energy demonstration grants awarded to three Iowa farmers

lwmiller — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:33:52 +0000

AMES, Iowa -- The Iowa Farm Energy Working Group has awarded three demonstration grants for 2012 to Iowa farmers with small to mid-sized operations to demonstrate how they can reduce fossil fuel use and meet their energy needs through energy efficiency or the use of renewable resources from on their farms.

The University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE) facilitates the working group, which is funded by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.

Iowa Local Food Summit to spark discussion on April 3

melissal — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:50:30 +0000

AMES, Iowa – Creating a vibrant food system in Iowa requires diverse voices and strong partnerships. The Local Food and Farm Program team invites you to contribute to a lively discussion at the Iowa Local Food Summit on Tuesday, April 3. The event will take place at the Scheman Building at Iowa State University from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A local foods dinner will follow at 6 p.m.