April 21, 2004
Help keep farmers profitable. Reduce environmental impacts of agriculture. Improve food safety and human nutrition. Provide analysis for public policy decisions. According to Iowans, those are some of the most important things the Iowa State University College of Agriculture should be doing.
During fall 2003, a comprehensive review was conducted of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, a 115-year-old program led by the College that conducts research primarily in agriculture but also in family and consumer sciences, veterinary medicine and engineering.
"We wanted ideas on how the College of Agriculture can better serve the state of Iowa through research and extension," said Catherine Woteki, who has been dean of the College since January 2002. "We wanted to hear Iowans' thoughts on priorities for research, and whether resources are adequately aligned to respond to their needs."
A report titled "Identifying Priorities for Iowa's Future" was developed that provided a snapshot of past funding and research achievements. Comments on future directions for agricultural research and related extension activities were received from a statewide meeting on the Iowa Communications Network last fall, as well as from groups and individuals.
"The feedback provides impressions for us of areas we should be emphasizing," Woteki said. "These are issues that affect all Iowans."
Based on the review, a list of priority areas for future efforts in seven categories has been developed. In crop production, the top two priorities identified are to improve producers' competitiveness and profitability, and to address issues of food safety and biotechnology.
Other categories and the top two priorities in each are:Animal production - Improve producers' competitiveness and profitability; address issues of food safety and biotechnologyValue-added agriculture - Develop new markets, new uses for traditional products, alternative crops, specialty foods; ensure value-added ventures benefit producers and communitiesAgricultural and rural policy - Address implications of federal farm policies and tax policies; promote rural economic development and job creation Natural resources - Improve water quality and air quality; reduce soil erosionHuman nutrition, health and food safety - Improve food safety, from producers to processors to distributors; increase research and education on healthy diets and food safetyRural families and communities - Enhance rural economic development and job creation; ensure vital services and infrastructure are available in rural areasWoteki said the review showed the Experiment Station is on the right track, because many of the priorities identified already are in the College's strategic plan that was adopted before the review began. "The review confirmed we're doing what Iowans want us to do, while identifying some areas where they'd like us to make a greater effort," she said.
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Editor's note: Additional summary information follows.
In the fall of 2003, Iowa State University's College of Agriculture sought Iowans' input to ensure that resources in the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station are aligned to meet the present and future needs of the state, as well as to adequately address current realities in state funding for research, extension and education.
The Experiment Station is the title of the research program that has addressed immediate and long-term needs of Iowans for more than 115 years. The Experiment Station involves hundreds of people - faculty and staff, students, citizen-partners and connections to extension reaching Iowans in every county.
Nearly 600 responses and comments were received from November 2003 through February 2004. This summary of key research priorities was compiled from completed questionnaires, as well as comments received from individuals and organizations. The summary outlines priorities in the seven categories listed on the questionnaire.
Respondents also were asked how they would divide $100 among the seven categories. A statement in each category shows the average dollar amount allocated. Added together, the total dollar amount for all categories is $99.24 - not all respondents who answered this question allocated the entire $100.
1.The most important issues facing CROP PRODUCTION in Iowa in the next 10 years:
- Improve producers' competitiveness and profitability
- Address issues of food safety and biotechnology
- Reduce the environmental impact of row crop production
- Develop new markets: new uses for traditional crops; explore alternative crops
- Control plant diseases and pests
An average of $20.04 was allocated to the crop production category.
2. The most important issues facing ANIMAL PRODUCTION in Iowa in the next 10 years:
- Address livestock odor and other environmental concerns
- Improve producers' competitiveness and profitability
- Help producers address regulations and public perceptions of livestock industry
- Ensure meat quality and food safety for consumers
- Respond to concerns raised by animal rights groups
- Improve disease control and management
- Continue applied and basic animal production research
An average of $18.63 was allocated to the animal production category.
3. The most important issues in VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURE in Iowa in the next 10 years:
- Develop new markets: new uses for traditional products; alternative crops; specialty foods
- Ensure value-added ventures benefit producers and communities
- Promote local food systems
An average of $13.80 was allocated to the value-added agriculture category.
4. The most important issues in AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL POLICY in Iowa in the next 10 years:
- Address implications of federal farm policies and tax policies
- Promote rural economic development and job creation
- Address agricultural land issues
- Improve rural/urban relationships
- Address issues on structure of agriculture and local government
- Assist development of realistic environmental policies
An average of $11.04 was allocated to the agricultural and rural policy category.
5. The most important issues in NATURAL RESOURCES in Iowa in the next 10 years:
- Improve water quality and air quality
- Reduce soil erosion
- Address land issues (recreation, urban sprawl)
- Expand biorenewable energy, reduce fossil-fuel use
An average of $12.07 was allocated to the natural resources category.
6. The most important issues in HUMAN NUTRITION, HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY in Iowa in the next 10 years:
- Improve food safety, from producers to processors to distributors
- Increase research and education on healthy diets and food safety
- Identify foods that improve human health and nutrition
- Protect the U.S. food supply from terrorism
- Help ensure safety of genetically modified crops
- Promote local food systems and production of specialty crops
An average of $11.37 was allocated to the human nutrition, health and food safety category.
7. The most important issues for RURAL FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES in Iowa in the next 10 years:
- Enhance rural economic development and job creation
- Ensure vital services and infrastructure available in rural areas
- Improve producers' competitiveness and profitability
- Maintain high-quality schools and educational opportunities
- Address exodus of young people and growing elderly populations
An average of $12.29 was allocated to the rural families and communities category.