Iowa state lawmakers are hoping to approve a $7.2 billion budget this week. The State Senate passed a budget proposal that eliminates funding for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Center Director Mark Rasmussen is disappointed by the move. He says while the Center will go away, the work on sustainable agriculture will continue.

He says all grants awarded by the Center have a clause in them that says they’re dependent on the availability of state funds. So, the Center will have to start winding down their operations almost immediately and that process won’t be easy.

Rasmussen says he’s proud of the work the Leopold Center has done for Iowa agriculture.

By eliminating the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the state stands to save between $2.0 and $2.5 million.