We have two primary goals for this project during Jelal's time here as our summer intern:

• identification of candidate simulation software technologies and development of a proof of concept for The Local Food Economy Game as a web-based exploratory learning environment, and
• identify and pursue the development of collaborative relationships with Iowa-based kindred spirit researchers in both the local food economy and agent-based simulation domains.

I knew we were going to be okay finding kindred spirits in the local food economy space. We are, afterall, in the historical agricultural heatland of the United States. I did not expect, however, to find a world class theoretical and applied research scientist in the rather specialized domain of agent-based economic simulation.

Leigh Tesfatsion: Professor of Economics and Mathematics at Iowa State University and expert in Agent-based Computational EconomicsWow, were we happy to learn about Leigh Tesfatsion! Leigh is Professor of Economics and Mathematics at Iowa State University in Ames. Here's how she describes her current research interests:

• Agent-based computational economics: A constructive approach to economic theory;
• Testing the economic reliability of FERC's proposed wholesale power market design;
• Modeling decentralized market economies as distributed local-interaction systems;
• Concentration and market power in a dynamic production economy;
• Labor institutions and the evolution of macroeconomic performance.

And here are links to a her current work that is spot on relevant to our project:

• Agent-Based Computational Economics (ACE)
• Electricity Restructuring and Market Design
• Learning in Dynamic Multi-Market Contexts
• Evolution of Economic Networks
• The Trade Network Game (Endogenous Network Formation)

I can't wait to arrange a field trip to Ames so Timlynn and I can take Jelal along with us to meet our Community Capitals Framework friends at the ISU-based North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) and get the local food researchers there together with Leigh Tesfatsion! What fun we have ahead.