While most Midwestern states have large agriculture industries, many of their local and regional food networks are far less developed. For example, in Iowa, only about 14% of the food consumed in the state is produced in the state. Iowa State University's Center for Sustainable Agriculture recently released a comprehensive report outlining concrete, feasible ways to expand the state's local food economy. Harvest Public Media's Kathleen Masterson has this report on the Center's suggestions for improving statewide coordination of local food networks.
This report is part of the Harvest Public Media project. Harvest Public Media is a collaborative effort involving KPR and other public radio stations in the Midwest, exploring issues related to agriculture...from food to fuel and all the agribusiness in-between. You can learn more about the project by visiting the website HarvestPublicMedia.org.