Iowa Food System Coalition Receives ASPCA Grant to Study Economic Impact of Pasture-Based Livestock Farming
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/26/26
Media Contact:
Mallory DeVries
Communications Director
Iowa Food System Coalition
communications@iowafoodsystemcoalition.org
Iowa Food System Coalition Receives ASPCA Grant to Study Economic Impact of Pasture-Based Livestock Farming
Funding will support statewide mapping, farmer case studies, and economic research on Iowa's pasture-based livestock systems.
DES MOINES, IOWA — The Iowa Food System Coalition (IFSC), through its fiscal sponsor, the Iowa Farmers Union Education Foundation, has been awarded a $40,000 grant from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ®) to study the economic and social contributions of pasture-based livestock farming in Iowa.
Iowa is a national leader in livestock production, yet limited publicly accessible data exists about the scale and economic contributions of pasture-based operations. The 12-month project will address this gap through statewide mapping, farmer case studies, and economic analysis, with a focus on how these farms contribute to rural communities and connect with local markets.
“Pasture-based livestock farming presents opportunities for animal welfare, land stewardship, and rural economic development, but we have limited information about the scope of this industry in Iowa,” said Tommy Hexter, Executive Director of IFSC. “With support from the ASPCA, the Iowa Food System Coalition will map pasture-based livestock operations, document farmer experiences, examine their economic contributions and identify the infrastructure and markets these farmers need to succeed.”
The ASPCA is one of the nation’s largest animal welfare grant makers, offering support to organizations and programs that further its mission to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. This includes the ASPCA’ s Fund to End Factory Farming, which is supporting five organizations this year including the Iowa Food System Coalition, with a focus on projects that encourage a shift away from industrial animal agriculture to more humane farming practices.
In partnership with MarketMaker, IFSC will develop a publicly accessible map of pasture-based livestock farms and their supporting supply chains, including processing and distribution. The project will also document farmers' experiences and work with researchers from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach's Community and Economic Development program to analyze the economic contributions of pasture-based production.
Findings will be shared through an interactive map, public report, farmer stories, and IFSC's At the Iowa Farm Table podcast, providing practical information for farmers, buyers, policymakers, and rural communities.
The project builds on IFSC's 2025 statewide Baseline Report, which identified 1,461 local farm and food businesses producing food for in-state consumption. Research and outreach are expected to take place from October 2026 through September 2027.
For more information, visit iowafoodsystemcoalition.org.
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About the Iowa Food System Coalition
The Iowa Food System Coalition is a statewide network of more than 60 partner organizations working to strengthen Iowa's food system. Through research, collaboration, education, and policy engagement, IFSC brings together partners working to expand markets for Iowa-grown food, support farm and food businesses, strengthen regional infrastructure, and improve access to healthy food for all Iowans. For more information, visit iowafoodsystemcoalition.org.
About the ASPCA ®
The ASPCA ® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ®) believes every animal deserves to live free from suffering. For 160 years, we’ve been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty. As the nation’s first and leading animal welfare organization, we assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary communities through research, training and resources. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than 2 million supporters nationwide, our commitment to eliminating animal cruelty is unwavering. For more information, visit aspca.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook , X , Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok.
