The Wallace Foundation was formed in 1990 to enhance agricultural research and education for southwest Iowa. A donation of a 160-acre farm in Adair County by Wayne and Margaret Neely in 1994 established the Neely-Kinyon Research Farm. The farm is managed as a satellite of the Armstrong Research Farm.

Since its inception in 1994, Bob Burcham has managed ISU's Neely-Kenyon Organic Research Farm. During this time, the farm has changed from a small catellite research facility for the Armstrong Research Farm to an Organic research farm of national and international importance.

Research and Demonstration

• Organic crops. A 17-acre block of 40 quarter-acre plots is dedicated to organic research. Plant, soil, pest, grain quality and economic performance of organic and conventional systems are studied.
• Soils. The topography of the area makes soil erosion, cropping rotation and tillage research important. There is ongoing monitoring of soil quality for the organic research study.
• Livestock. Researchers study sustainable livestock production. Studies include winter grazing of stockpiled forages and cornstalks, rotational grazing of dairy heifers and pasture improvements.

Facilities

An erosion control structure was completed in 1997 and new fencing was recently constructed.