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

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.

A group of north Iowa urban women who faced numerous life challenges learned about self-sufficiency through their joint efforts of planning, planting, growing and harvesting produce from a community garden.

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.

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.

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.

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 existing MS Excel computer-based program (FARMOR) was further developed and enhanced to assist niche market producers in making appropriate and profitable choices for their enterprises.