News

Statement from the Leopold Center regarding the decision of the Iowa legislature and the Governor

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed into legislation on May 12, 2017, Senate File 510, a bill that included language to “eliminate the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.” However, he vetoed this segment of the bill, sparing it from elimination. Although the Leopold Center remains, Gov. Branstad approved moving its funding to the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University.

The Leopold Center, named in honor of renowned Iowa-born naturalist Aldo Leopold, was created as part of the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act, also signed by Governor Branstad.

Pierre Memorial Lecture in Soil Science to feature David Myrold

AMES, Iowa— David D. Myrold, professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University, is the guest speaker for the 2017 William H. Pierre Memorial Lecture in Soil Science at Iowa State University (ISU).

March 28 lecture features former Iowa legislators behind creation of Leopold Center

AMES, Iowa — Three former Iowa legislators recall the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act and establishment of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture for the Shivvers Memorial Lecture. “The Leopold Center at 30 and beyond” is the theme of this year’s lecture with guest speakers Paul Johnson, Ralph Rosenberg, and David Osterberg. They will share their thoughts on the past, present and future as the Center commemorates its 30th anniversary this year.

Leopold Center awards research grants for 2017

AMES, Iowa – The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has awarded grants for 21 new research and demonstration projects to begin this year. The grants will aid in the advancement of sustainable agriculture while protecting Iowa’s soil and water and help Iowa citizens increase the availability of locally grown foods. The new grants, totaling $1.4 million, are awarded through the Leopold Center’s four research initiatives: Ecology, Marketing and Food Systems, Policy, and Cross-Cutting.

Leopold Center announces 2016 Spencer Award recipients

A farming couple who advocate for sustainable agriculture and a USDA agronomist are the recipients of the 2016 Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture. David and Corrine Williams of Villisca and Tom Kaspar, Ames, will be accepting this prestigious award on March 22 at the Iowa Water Conference in Ames.

Leopold Center 2016 Annual Report now available

AMES, Iowa—The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture’s 2016 annual report is now available in print and online. The report reviews the 2016 fiscal year –July 1, 2015–June 30, 2016– and was mailed to requestors in late November.

Reports on completed research available for Leopold Center projects

Summaries of five recently completed research projects are now available from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. The projects were funded by the Leopold Center’s long-running Competitive Grants Program.

Iowa Organic Conference highlights perennials and their benefits

AMES, Iowa--The 16th Annual Iowa Organic Conference will be held Nov. 13-14 on the University of Iowa (UI) campus in Iowa City, as a joint effort between Iowa State University and the UI Office of Sustainability. Producers and experts from across the country will share tips for transitioning into organic production and methods to enhance organic operations.

Newly completed research summaries available from Leopold Center

AMES, Iowa—Summaries of three recently completed research projects are now available from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. The projects were funded by the Center’s long-running Competitive Grants Program. The reports summarize how each project was conducted and what was learned.

The three research projects are:

ISU joins 12 public and private universities calling for increased federal investment in agriculture research

AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University is one of 13 prominent research institutions in the United States that joined the SoAR Foundation today in calling for a surge in federal support of food and agricultural science. Retaking the Field, the report released by this coalition, highlights recent scientific innovations and illustrates how U.S.

Leopold Center Request for Pre-proposals (RFP) issued

AMES, Iowa—The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is now accepting pre-proposals as part of the Center’s long-running competitive grants program.

Those with innovative ideas for research projects that impact water, soil, crops, and the land are encouraged to submit a pre-proposal. The competitive grants program is comprised of four initiatives: Ecology, Marketing and Foods Systems, Policy, and Cross-cutting.

Iowa Learning Farms June webinar features results from Leopold Center grant

The regular monthly Iowa Learning Farms webinar for June will be on Wednesday, June 15 at 1 p.m. This month’s guest speaker is Angie Carter, assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Welfare at Augustana College. Carter is an environmental sociologist and an eighth generation Iowan. She studies the intersections of social change, community, and the environment.

2016 Spencer Award nominations due to Leopold Center

AMES, Iowa--The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is accepting nominations for the distinguished Spencer Award for 2016. The Spencer Award is one of the largest and longest running awards of its kind in Iowa. It recognizes farmers, teachers or researchers who have made significant contributions to the environmental and economic stability of the Iowa farming community.

Individuals may apply for the Spencer Award or nominate others. Forms must be submitted, along with two letters of support, to the Leopold Center by June 15.

Project helps farmers in the Turkey River Watershed boost their bottom-lines

With farming margins tighter than ever, farmers in the Turkey River Watershed can get help identifying areas of their operations that are dragging their bottom-line.

The Iowa Soybean Association, in conjunction with the Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), is leading a project in the Turkey River Watershed to offer farmers a confidential profitability analysis at a discounted price of 25 cents/acre.

New 'Iowa CSA Farms' Directory now available

A directory is now available for those seeking out local, fresh food beyond the grocery store. The publication, Iowa CSA Farms: 2016 Statewide List of CSA Farms and Organizers Serving Iowa, has just been updated to include the latest contact information from farms across the state who offer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs.

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