The development and use of targeted conservation practices was the subject of modeling, interviews and support tools researched by the project investigators.

This is a summary of an 18-page report: 2013 Economic Impacts of Iowa's Regional Food Systems Working Group. The report looks at the statewide impact of the local foods sector on Iowa's economy, based on data collected in 2012 and 2013 by local food coordinators who are part of RFSWG.

What are some options for enhancing organic content and carbon storage in soils that have been used in intensive row-crop production? The project looked at bioenergy feedstocks and how they might be employed to improve soil properties.

Work continues in Year 16 of a long-term experiment comparing organic and conventional crop rotations. Adverse weather conditions in 2013 affected the production and performance of several crops in the rotations being studied. As a consequence of extended wet weather in spring, poor stands, delayed weed management and subsequent high weed populations, organic soybean yields were 26 percent lower than 2012. Organic corn yields were, however, greater than conventional corn, even when re-planting occurred on June 8.

Machinery and equipment needs are far different for vegetable farms than for commodity production units. This project explored the unique machinery access options for small and mid-sized horticulture operations.

In July, 2011, the legislature passed Senate File 509, creating the Iowa Local Food & Farm Initiative (LFFI). The LFFI was created to strengthen local food economies that promote self-sufficiency and job growth in the agricultural and allied sectors. The legislature allocated $150,000 to LFFI in 2012 and 2013 ($75,000 each year), of which 30 to 35 percent was applied to a competitive grants program in 2012 and 2013.

The LFFI has funded seven local foods projects focused on the areas of business development; beginning, minority, and transitioning farmers; and development of farm to institution sales. This impact brief shows how modest investments can leverage additional funds, create economic opportunity, benefit youth, increase awareness of local foods, and prompt new partnerships and projects.

The links between nitrogen fertilizer rates and varying crop rotation schemes are examined in this project. The role that organic matter inputs play in supporting corn-soybean rotations also was investigated.

An array of equipment is available to help fruit and vegetable growers with specialized production and processing tasks. This study examined ways for these small operators to share equipment and maximize their use of the shared implements.

This project continued the convening of the Regional Food Systems Working Group (RFSWG) while developing best practices of members and leaders of the steering committee and setting the stage for further activities.

The popularity of trusts as a land management tactic has been increasing. Using survey results, an attorney and economics professor examined the kinds of trust arrangements that exist in Iowa and how they might be used to encourage conservation practices and sustainable agricultural management.