Vision 2020 Looks Ahead to Implementation Phase


by Anne Dolan
Coordinators of Iowa State's VISION 2020 project are in the 
homestretch of a year-long process to anticipate the food 
systems network of the year 2020 and the training needs of 
food systems professionals.

About 130 people -- half from Iowa State and half from 
community colleges, business and industry -- took part in a 
"50/50" conference May 15-16 in Ames. In small groups they 
were asked to develop a vision for food systems education in 
2020 and design a brochure cover to depict that vision.

Integration along the food production-to-consumption line and 
accessibility were key themes to emerge, said coordinator Ann 
Schultz and associate coordinator Bill Silag of the VISION 
2020 project. Silag also noted that those who have 
participated in VISION 2020 events this year have developed a 
broad definition of food systems education, beyond simply 
farmer, elevator operator and grocer.

VISION 2020 is funded by the Kellogg Foundation and involves 
12 teams of universities, colleges and community colleges 
around the country. Schultz said each team has been assured 
it will receive funding for the next phase: implementation of 
VISION 2020 goals. Iowa State's portion will be $1.5 million 
over five years.

By late June, Schultz and Silag will have written Iowa 
State's vision for food systems education in 2020, based on 
an ICN teleconference in January, about 40 focus group 
sessions, a community study completed in Storm Lake and the 
May 50/50 conference. They also will draft a set of goals -- 
essentially steps ISU should take to move toward its vision 
for education in 2020. The vision, goals and a summary of the 
"visioning" process will be forwarded to the Kellogg 
Foundation in September for approval.

The implementation phase, which begins this fall, will 
involve colleges, departments, community colleges and 
businesses in devising specific proposals -- for example, 
partnerships, pilot projects, student internships -- that 
respond to a goal. Those who submit proposals will be seeking 
a piece of Iowa State's $1.5 million grant to implement and 
assess their plan. 

Schultz said each proposal will require participation by an 
Iowa State unit, an Iowa community college, a business or 
industry partner and a fourth partner. Grant requests will be 
accepted at four levels: departmental, college, university-
wide or statewide.

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contact:  Anne Dolan, Internal Communications, (515) 294-7065
updated:  6-16-95