Looking Toward the Future in Iowa

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Participant Handout

ANR Extension is …

Two colleges

– College of AgricultureEleven Departments

– College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine

ANR Extension is …

Eleven departments – research leadership– Ag and Biosystems Engineering– Agronomy– Ag Education and Studies– Animal Science– Economics– Entomology– Food Science and Human Nutrition– Horticulture– Plant Pathology– Natural Resource Ecology and Management– Sociology

ANR Extension is …

Ten centers and special initiatives– Beginning Farmer Center– Center for Crops Utilization Research– Corn and Soybean Initiative– Iowa Beef Center– Iowa Pork Industry Center– Manure Applicator Certification– North Central Aquaculture Center– Pesticide Applicator Training– Soybean Rust and Aphid Initiatives– Value-Added Agriculture

ANR Extension is …

Field Specialists – educational leadership

– Ag Engineering– Beef– Commercial Horticulture– Crops – Dairy– Farm Management– Swine

County Directors – community leadership

Guiding Principles – Grounded in Science

Solid foundation in base programs– Profitable, efficient and competitive agricultural

producers and businesses– Environmental quality and stewardship– Value-added opportunities and assistance– Rural vitality and development

Competitive advantage in target programs– Match ISU Extension mission– Critical issues vital to state’s future– Recognized by ‘grassroots’ and ‘grass-tops’

ANR Extension Targeted Programs

Based on statewide needs assessment

Engage clientele at local and state levels

Cut across development and delivery teams

Create new public and private partnerships

Focus on opportunities for the future

Provide catalytic leadership

Result in significant outcomes

Integrated Campus and Field Teams

Development and delivery

– Crop Production and Protection– Iowa Beef Center– Iowa Pork Center– Dairy Team– Farm and Business Management– Horticulture– Natural Resources and Stewardship

Economic Importance of Iowa Agriculture

90,665 farms in 2002; 87% of Iowa’s land area; 31,729,490 acres.

Value of farm assets 33.7% higher than national per farm average.

90% of farm receipts from corn, soybeans, cattle, and hogs.

Third largest supplier of ag commodities to nation.

20.6% of employment ag related.

Iowa 4 times more dependent on ag than rest of country.

New student enrollment up by 10% in College of Agriculture – Fall 2005.

1. Economic Development: Agriculture

• 77 of Iowa’s 99 counties are non-metro: These counties must leverage unique assets, ideas, and skills to compete globally.

• Ag processing is the largest sector of Iowa’s manufacturing economy and comprises more than 21% of the manufacturing base.

• Ag production and processing was 8.22% of GSP in 2002 – the highest combined proportion in the nation.

• Diversification within and beyond agriculture can enhance the income of farmers and provide value-added contributions to the community and nation. 

There are opportunities to increase market share of existing enterprises and develop new markets, products, and processes.

2. Growing Iowa’s Bioeconomy

4% of U.S. fuel is produced from biomass; U.S. DOE goal is 20% by 2025.

Iowa is the number one ethanol-producing state adding $156M to corn growers’ income and over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Four biodiesel plants provide additional job and income opportunities.

Ethanol and biodiesel plants will likely grow and change over the next 20 years into integrated biorefineries.

Biorefineries will produce fuels, power, and products from grass, crop residues, corn, soybeans, and other processing wastes.

New cropping, harvest and transportation systems, and new conversion facilities will need to be created.

3. New Agricultural Enterprises, Opportunities, and Linkages

Iowa value-added agriculture products create jobs and wealth.

Iowa is a leading state in the number of farmers’ markets at 175.

490 orchards, 750 vegetable farms, 230 vineyards, and 50 CSAs operate in Iowa.

$15 million has been allocated to Iowa producers through the USDA producer grants.

Organic markets continue to grow by more than 20% nationally.

New skills are needed to assist producers sell directly to consumers.

Need for feasibility studies, business plan development, and production and marketing assistance.

4. Beginning Farmers and the Next Generation of Agriculturists

Nearly 25% of Iowa's farmers are 65 years of age or older.

Only 7% of Iowa's farmers are younger than 35 years of age.

A majority of Iowa farmers work off the farm at least part of the year.

Value-added agriculture businesses could hold the key to transition of the next generation of farmers and agribusiness leaders.

The “disappearing middle” is quite evident on Iowa farms.

Significant changes in land ownership will occur over the next several years.

Working together we can influence trends by creating new opportunities and exploring policy alternatives.

5. Entrepreneurship Development

Iowa ranks 49th in small business startups.

10.5% of U.S. adults are involved in entrepreneurial activities.

Entrepreneur support networks tend to be less developed in non-metro communities and rural regions.

Iowa leaders and citizens are interested in entrepreneurial support.

Form local task forces to identify local expertise and resources available to support entrepreneurial activities.

Survey needs of local entrepreneurs, assess gaps, and sponsor training and coaching initiatives.

6. The New Rural Iowa

Iowa’s pop. is classified as 33% Rural Nonfarm.

1990-2000: Rural Nonfarm pop. grew 16% while Farm population fell by 33%.

An increasing percent of farm household income comes from off farm jobs.

Recreational land purchases are increasing in some areas of the state.

Acreage owners are a growing clientele with questions about horticulture, livestock, and country living issues.

Quality of life issues are requiring new emphasis on infrastructure and amenities.

Recreational land owners bring a new emphasis on conservation and land use issues.

Programs are needed to serve the changing demographics of Iowa.

7. Rural/Urban Communication and Relationships

22 of Iowa’s counties are classified urban.

Rapidly expanding cities bring new neighbors to farm communities.

Odors, dust, noise, machinery, and chemicals are part of modern agriculture but create concern for nonfarm neighbors.

Declining political clout of rural communities and farms requires effective public relations with nonfarm audiences.

Help farmers manage systems is one way to address urban concerns.

Iowans have a strong connection to their farming roots which provides opportunities for new rural/urban relationships.

8. Natural Resources and Environmental Stewardship

Sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels are issues in water quality.

Agriculture production and processing management systems need to consider air and water quality effects.

CRP contracts on 1,326,915 acres of Iowa land will expire between 2007 and 2010.

Natural resource conservation and development of prairies, wetlands, and woodland has increased over the past 25 years.

Improved forest management is needed to produce high quality timber and maintain healthy woodlands.

Increased urban tree planting requires education on tree care.

Regional diversity will dictate natural resource management priorities.

9. Food Safety and Security

Five common foodborne pathogens cost the U.S. $6.9 billion a year.

BSE, FMD, Avian Influenza, Hog Cholera, soybean rust, and other pathogens may threaten the ag economy.

Greater traceability within the food chain is expected for all commodities and products.

Agro-terrorism is a real concern to the nation’s food supply and human health.

Biosecurity and food certification standards reduce foodborne risks benefiting producer and consumers.

Third party food management systems can reduce production costs and are increasingly preferred by food supply chains.

10. Serving New Audiences and Iowans

Farm operators by race: Hispanic = 380, American Indian = 61, African American = 31, and Asian & Pacific Islander = 27.

Hispanics: 82,473 living in Iowa; many work in ag. related jobs; some small scale farming (meat and milk goats).

Amish and Mennonite farmers: existing communities are growing; new communities are being established where families bring ag. diversity (livestock and commercial horticulture).

Non-traditional educational methods and materials are required to serve new audiences and Iowans.

11. Leadership Development

Leadership is a critical area of concern in rural Iowa.

Rural and community development can only be enhanced through the efforts of leaders.

Women in agriculture are emerging as leaders -- own 47% of Iowa farmland; principal operators of 6,000 farms.

Annually more than 100 students enroll in College of Agriculture leadership courses.

Leadership education needs to focus on applyingleadership principles to real-life problems and challenges.

Contributors:

Paul Brown Jerry DeWitt Mike Duffy Mark Edelman Tim Eggers Jill Euken Pat Halbur Mark Hanna Cindy Haynes Mary Holz-Clause John Lawrence John Mabry

Robert Martin Jean McGuire Brian Meyer Jerry Miller Joe Morris Dan Otto Mike Owen Jim Pease Bob Wells Paul Wray Lois Wright-Morton Neil Wubben

Discussion

1. What are the most important issues or opportunities in our county affecting agriculture and natural resources?

2. Which needs should Extension focus on to be of most help in developing a strong agriculture and utilizing the natural resources base in this county?