NEWS: Leopold Center RFP for Iowa

Anne Larson (ealarson@iastate.edu)
Wed, 12 Jul 1995 08:58:35 -0500

(SANETTERS PLEASE NOTE: OPEN ONLY TO IOWA APPLICANTS)

Leopold Center calls for sustainable ag proposals

AMES-The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is inviting
preproposals dealing with sustainable agriculture in its $560,000
Competitive Grants Program. Deadline for the preproposals is Sept. 6,
1995.

The grants program encourages Iowans to develop ideas that will support a
more sustainable agriculture. The program is open to researchers and
educators at all Iowa colleges and universities and to investigators at
private nonprofit agencies and foundations in Iowa. Projects emphasizing
collaboration among researchers, farmers, conservationists, communities,
and agribusiness are encouraged. Projects would begin on July 1, 1996.

For the first time, preproposals will be evaluated by both Leopold Center
staff and the Advisory board. Qualifying preproposals will be then invited
to submit full proposals. For more information about the Competitive
Grants program, call (515) 294-3711.

Education and demonstration project priorities include on-farm
demonstrations of sustainable systems and relevant educational programs or
packages, and development of education programs targeting the general
public and farm audiences.

Since 1988, the Center has awarded an estimated $5.9 million in support of
130 Competitive Grant projects. 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
established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act.

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