News Release
For Immediate Release
October 10, 2009
Contacts: Sarah Carlson, Practical Farmers of Iowa, (515) 232-5661, sarah@practicalfarmers.org; Sally Worley, Practical Farmers of Iowa, (515) 232-5661, sally@practicalfarmers.org; Jerry DeWitt, Leopold Center, (515) 294-3711, jdewittk@iastate.edu; or Laura Miller, Leopold Center communications, (515) 294-5272, lwmiller@iastate.edu
Farm Partners Sought for ISU On-Farm Research
Ames, IA--Iowa State University seeks ideas and proposals for a unique
program pairing farmers with Iowa State
University researchers to
work on topics related to conservation and sustainability. Proposals are due on
December 16, 2009 for the 2010 ISU On-Farm Research and Demonstration Grant
Program. All ISU faculty, staff and students are eligible to
apply.
The program is a partnership of the
College of
Agriculture and Life
Sciences and Practical Farmers of Iowa. Its goals are to address the
opportunities and challenges facing agriculture through collaborative, on-farm
research. A total of $25,000 will be awarded in 2010. Annual, one time grants up
to $5,000 maximum will be awarded. Awards to three or more producers proposing
to work together may be up to $7,000 each. Work may be completed over 24 months
maximum.
Research topic areas, submission instructions and other
information are available on the Leopold Center web site, http://www.leopold.iastate.edu . For questions about
this call for proposals, please contact Jerry DeWitt, Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture,
515-294-3711 or jdewitt@iastate.edu . Questions about
on-farm design and implementation or if you need help finding a farmer or
researcher to work with, please contact Sarah
Carlson, Practical Farmers of Iowa, 515-232-5661, sarah@practicalfarmers.org.
Practical Farmers of Iowa includes a diverse group of farmers and nonfarmers. Corn, soybeans, beef cattle, and hay are the top enterprises for PFI farmers, although many have a variety of other operations, including fruits and vegetables. PFI’s programming stresses farmer-to-farmer networking through research and demonstration, field days, conferences, and more. For more information, call 515-232-5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org.
Through its research and education programs, the Leopold Center supports the development of profitable farming systems that conserve natural resources. Center funding comes from state appropriations and from fees on nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides, as established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act.