Ask your legislators to fully fund the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, by diverting funds from the World Food Prize to the Leopold Center
Agriculture is the backbone of the state of Iowa. Sustainable agriculture provides a means to preserve the soils of Iowa.
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has been the premier organization in Iowa involved with researching sustainable agriculture[1]. Research on agricultural methods that will protect and preserve Iowa’s soils will allow agriculture to remain a strong sector in Iowa’s economy. Research on regional food systems and increasing farm profits benefits all farmers.
We are at a cross-roads in agriculture. Iowa’s weather patterns are changing. Young and beginning farmers face challenges in getting started farming. Soil loss and water quality issues face all farmers. The Leopold Center and its research mission can play a significant role in helping Iowans deal with these issues.
However state budget cuts that began in 2017 have eliminated the funding to the Leopold Center and its research mission.
Dr. Norman E. Borlaug was a leader in alleviating poverty, hunger, and malnutrition throughout the world. Dr. Borlaug’s work was accomplished through the investment of research money toward his work. Dr. Borlaug’s prize-winning work, as recognized in the World Food Prize, can be a role-model in research on sustainable agriculture.
The State of Iowa and its taxpayers began financially supporting the World Food Prize in 2009. That support is $1 million a year.[2] The World Food Prize has garnered international reputation and, with that, the World Food Prize receives significant sponsorships and financial support from businesses and foundations[3], and has acquired a sizeable endowment. Over 80 companies, foundations, and individuals donate to the World Food Prize.[4] What’s more is that the World Food Prize has an endowment fund that generates significant income every year. In fact, the 990 Report for 2016 shows the World Food Prize had over $1.1 million in income from dividends and interest from securities. The value of the stock in the endowment fund was reported to be in excess of $26 million in 2016. The salaries for the President and Vice-president of the World Food Prize together exceeded $340,000 in 2016; while salaries and wages for other employees exceeded half a million dollars.[5]
The World Food Prize has become secure in its funding and no longer needs the financial assistance of the State of Iowa and its taxpayers. By redirecting state funding of the World Food Prize to fund the Leopold Center for Sustainable agriculture, the next break-through in sustainable agriculture can be supported financially.
[1] See Iowa Code 268.39 for information on the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
[2] See Iowa Code 15.368, 1C.12 for information about the World Food Prize.
Form 990-F filings for 2016 indicate that the State of Iowa donated $2.1 million while the forms for 2014 and 2015 indicate a $1 million annual contribution.
[3] https://www.worldfoodprize.org/en/about_the_prize/sponsors/
[4] https://www.worldfoodprize.org/en/about_the_prize/
[5] http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/421/421356715/421356715_201612_990PF.pdf
