Business

 By Laura Miller

Leopold Center Communications

June 21, 2012

AMES, Iowa - The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is looking for innovative ideas that will help fulfill its mission to identify and reduce negative environmental and socio-economic impacts of agricultural practices and contribute to the development of profitable farming systems that conserve natural resources.

 Specifics are outlined in the Leopold Center’s 2012 Request for Pre-proposals (RFP) that is part of its long-running competitive grants program. The deadline for submitting ideas, in the form of a 2-3 page concept paper, is August 10, 2012. Projects selected in the process are eligible for funding beginning in 2013.

 The Leopold Center seeks these long-term outcomes:

1.     Water and Soil: Water resources that increase in quality and quantity over time; improved soil quality that ensures long-term productivity and crop yields.

2. People: Agricultural systems that yield multiple benefits (for people, ecology and profit) and create more opportunities and vibrant communities on the land.
3. Energy: On-farm energy conservation that is increased with use of low external input systems and innovative energy systems relying on fewer outside energy inputs.
4. Land Management:  Practices that enhance the integrity and adaptability of biotic communities and encourage agricultural production systems that anticipate and adapt to greater weather variability.

The Center will accept pre-proposals from investigators representing any Iowa nonprofit organization/agency and/or educational institution, including soil and water conservation districts, schools and colleges and regional development groups. Farmers, landowners and farm-based businesses are encouraged to participate in the pre-proposal process.

 Each of the Center’s four initiatives – ecology, marketing and food systems, cross-cutting (water, energy, soil and alternative farming systems) and policy – are participating in the RFP.

 The RFP can be downloaded from the Center’s web site at www.leopold.iastate.edu/grants/rfp. Hard copies can be obtained from the Center office by calling (515) 294-3711 or emailing leocenter@iastate.edu. Inquiries should be directed to the appropriate initiative coordinator.