The Economic Impact of Fruit and Vegetable Production in Southwest Iowa Considering Local and Nearby Metropolitan Markets

This analysis looked at the potential economic impact on 10 counties in southwest Iowa from modest increases in consumption of locally-grown fresh produce

Estimating the Production and Market Value‐Based Impacts of Nutritional Goals in NE Iowa

There is growing concern over the food miles , the input BTUs , and the nutritional value of conventionally delivered and distributed fresh fruits, vegetables, and melons. At the same time, there are scores of ongoing efforts to re ‐ invigorate rural economies by re ‐ introducing fruit and vegetable production into areas of the U.S. that had ceded those pr oduction specializations to other regions of the U.S., along with a reinvestigation of producer to distributor relationships in fruits and vegetable origination, marketing, and ultimately distribution to consumers. This research describes the potential economic impacts of a nutritionist ‐ suggested level of fresh fruits and vegetable consumption coupled with increased levels of loc al production of these commodities and builds off of earlier work done by the author. It combines the net economic impacts of shifting from traditional commodity crops (corn and soybeans in Iowa) to horticulture crops with an imagined producer ‐ owned wholesale and retail distribution net work to gauge overall job and income gains for Iowa or for regions in Iowa. We also assess animal, poultry, and whole grain components of the hypothetical diet. The potential economic outcomes are identified and quantified in this study. The methodology and applicability to other regions and other local production and distribut ion contexts are discussed as well

The Economic Impacts of Increased Fruit and Vegetable Production and Consumption in Iowa: Phase II

This study found that 4,000 job and $302 million in sales would be added to the Iowa economy if Iowans ate five servings of fruit and vegetables every day and just 25 percent of those servings were Iowa-grown

Investigating the Potential Economic Impacts of Local Foods for Southeast Iowa

This study evaluates regional economic impact gains that might accrue if the region were to increase its fresh fruit and vegetable production to accommodate local or regional demand. The region studied includes rural areas, yet it is influenced by nearby metropolitan centers, which also serve as potential markets

Exploring Small-Scale Meat Processing Expansions in Iowa

This study looks at the productivity and regional economic impacts of Iowa\u27s small meat processors and the potential gains for rural communities if these processors could expand to fill markets for niche products

Measuring the Economic Impacts of Increased Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Production in Iowa Considering Metropolitan Demand

This study looks at the number of jobs that would be created and acres needed for Iowa farmers to provide more fresh fruit for Iowa\u27s nine metropolitan areas (populations over 50,000)

Selected Measures of the Economic Values of Increased Fruit and Vegetable Production and Consumption in the Upper Midwest

This research considers the potential statewide and regional economic values that might accumulate to farmers and regional economies if there was an increase in the production of 28 types of fresh fruits and vegetables for local consumption

The Creative Economy in Iowa

This study is an assessment of Iowa’s creative economy. It represents a broad inventory of the creative composition of the Iowa economy with an eye towards defining its size and scope, measuring how it compares with the U.S., and discerning the value of the creative economy to the larger Iowa economy. The creative economy has two important dimensions. The first is Iowa’s creative workforce. The second is Iowa’s creative industrial composition. The creative workforce is further segmented into two groups. The first, borrowing from Florida’s work (2002), is the super creative core, which is composed of computer and mathematical professionals; architects and engineers; life, physical, and social scientists; education, training, and library professionals; and arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations. The second subgroup is composed of the occupations termed creative professionals. Creative professionals include managers and administrators, business and financial professionals, legal professionals and health care practitioners, high-end sales professionals, and community and social service workers

Climate Change Impacts on Iowa, 2010

Climate change is already affecting the way Iowans live and work. Without action to mitigate these effects, our future responses will become more complex and costly . The following policy recommendations are offered as initial steps to help safeguard our state’s economy, environment, and residents