Initiative coordinator: Craig Chase, (515) 294-3711, cchase@iastate.edu
Current Grants
Completed grants are housed in the ISU Digital Repository
Goals
- Research and test new marketing strategies and business structures that allow Iowa's farmers and communities to retain more of the value for energy, food or fiber produced
- Support education, conduct research and facilitate partnerships to increase investment and support of local and regional food, fiber and energy enterprises
- Conduct research and education to address various challenges that impede farmers and farmer networks from being equal partners in energy, food or fiber-based value chain
Outcomes
- Establishment of new or contribution to existing multi-organizational working groups based on farmer and community needs and challenges in food, fiber, or energy enterprises
- Increase market opportunities, enhance profitability, and reduce risk for farmers aggregating supply
- Increase knowledge and/or decision tool development related to: (1) community, health, safety, economic, and environmental impacts of Iowa-grown foods produced using sustainable agriculture; and/or (2) energy efficiencies, greenhouse gas emissions, value-adding technologies, food safety, producer marketing networks, labor markets, and other economic, environmental and community factors
- Increase access to healthy, nutritious, affordable local food produced using sustainable agriculture practices.
- Increase knowledge related to market access, profitability, and marketing and educational support for fiber and energy enterprises that use sustainable production practices.
Regional and Local Food Systems (RFSWG)
Economic impacts of local food in Iowa
Food Hubs in Iowa
Marketing Resources
Previous Working Groups - Value Chain Partnerships