Vision 2020 — a $2.2 million food systems project — may have a big impact at Iowa State.

Vision 2020, funded primarily by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, will bring several changes to ISU and other institutions in Iowa, said Anne Schultz, project coordinator.

A new curriculum will be established that incorporates industry by offering advanced management training, advanced science and technology courses and the study of values and ethics for professional life.

Plans also call for increased interaction with ISU faculty and community colleges, as well as cooperation with other institutions to offer higher quality regional education.

Vision 2020 hopes to make education affordable and accessible to everyone and emphasizes individual, social and environmental responsibility. Vision 2020 focuses mainly on the education of Iowa’s food systems professions in the 21st century.

Phase I of Vision 2020, which began Sept. 1, included the development of the vision by a committee of 24 members. The committee also sponsored a logo contest that was won by Kevin LeMaster, a recent ISU graduate in fine arts.

Phase II begins Oct. 1 and extends through the year 2000. The phase’s “implementation plan” focuses on how Vision 2020 will help better prepare students for their professional careers. During Phase II, the committee will promote responsive food systems education, a strong economy and it will work to improve food systems globally.

To help achieve its goals, the Vision 2020 committee will work to: create a partnership with business and industry, recognize diversity and promote food systems research.

ISU’s colleges of agriculture and business also provided some funding for the project.