The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture was established at Iowa State University in 1987 by the State of Iowa's Groundwater Protection Act. The Leopold Center was originally charged with researching the negative impacts of Iowa's agricultural practices, assisting in the development of alternative practices, and informing the public, in cooperation with ISU Extension, on the results of Leopold Center research.

According to its current (2002) vision statement, the Leopold Center "...explores and cultivates alternatives that secure healthier people and landscapes in Iowa and the nation." In accordance with this new direction, the Leopold Center has focused its research initiatives into three distinct areas: marketing and food systems; ecology; and policy.

The director of the Leopold Center is aided by a 17-member advisory board that assists in making decisions on funding for research proposals, policies and procedures, budgets, and program reviews. The advisory board is composed of two active farmers and representatives from Iowa's colleges and regent universities, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and several Iowa farm organizations.

The Leopold Center shares the results of its research findings with the agricultural community and the general public through collaborative efforts with ISU Extension and other state, university, and local organizations. It also supports conferences, seminars and special events related to the three research initiatives. The Leopold Center also regularly publishes conference proceedings, newsletters, reports, and other special publications.

Directors of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture:

This collection (2002-[ongoing]) contains newsletters published by the Leopold Center. Leopold Letter is published quarterly; cataloged copies are also available in Special Collections (Archives call no. S494.5 S86 L36x). Notes from the Leopold Center is a monthly email newsletter.

The collection is listed alphabetically.