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COLLEGE NEWS
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VIDEO: GRADUATE STUDENTS PURSUE CUTTING-EDGE BIORENEWABLE RESEARCH
Listen and watch as ISU graduate students explain their research in a video produced by CALS for the 24th annual Celebration of Agriculture dinner in Cedar Rapids held March 9. About 630 people attended. The students and scientists are working to make Iowa a leader in the bioeconomy. Together they are partnering with farmers, businesses and industry to produce food, feed, fiber and fuel and create new opportunities for Iowans.
FAPRI ANALYSTS BRIEF CONGRESS ON ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS
Jacinto Fabiosa and Fengxia Dong, Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute analysts, briefed Congress on their 2010 agricultural economic baseline projections, known as the FAPRI Outlook. FAPRI projects that an economic turnaround and bioenergy mandates will grow demand for food, feed and fuel, stimulating trade and price recovery over the rest of the decade. More: http://www.card.iastate.edu/about/news/show_release.aspx?id=65
CARET MEETINGS INCLUDE CONGRESSIONAL VISITS
The Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching meetings last month included visits with Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. Iowa's CARET representatives Sally Stutsman and Donald Latham were accompanied by Dean Wendy Wintersteen and Mark Settle, ISU Extension director of communications and external relations, in the visits. The effort is meant to enhance national support and understanding of the land-grant university system's food and agricultural research, extension and teaching programs. A report on Iowa State's research, teaching and extension activities was prepared to share with Congressional officials and staffs.
HORTICULTURE GRADUATES GET HIGH MARKS FROM EMPLOYERS
In a survey of employers that hired ISU horticulture graduates, 95 percent of companies that responded reported they feel the students they hired are prepared for the field. One suggestion to improve the curriculum that came through in the survey is the need for students to be bi-lingual, because the Hispanic population is becoming a major part of the green industry workforce. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/mar/vanderzanden
WORKSHOP TO FOCUS ON NICHE MARKETS FOR FARMERS
The latest research and tools on building and managing niche enterprises, local food distribution networks and other market opportunities for farmers will be presented April 1 at a no-cost workshop hosted by the Leopold Center. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2010/030910_marketing.html
SUMMER WORKSHOP TO EXPLORE CULINARY CREATIVITY
Registration is open for the "Enhance Your Iowa Plate" workshop at ISU to be held June 10-11. Hosted by the Food Science and Human Nutrition department and conducted at the food labs located in MacKay Hall, the event will explore the science of culinary creations while also taking a Culinary Tour of Iowa. Stewart Burger, coordinator of special events at the Knoll, will also host a preconference event on June 9. Registration is limited to the first 50 people. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/mar/Iowaplate
CALS STUDENTS AWARDED ENTREPRENEURSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
Two CALS students have been awarded the 2010 Bob Jolly Entrepreneurship Scholarship. Jared Achen is a junior in agricultural business from Wayland. Clark Dolch is a junior in agricultural business from Elliott. Both recipients have been involved in the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative's internship program.
STUDENT COUNCIL NAMES AG MAN AND AG WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The CALS Student Council named Ryan Hrubes and Nicki Cortum the CALS Agricultural Man and Agricultural Woman of the Year at the National Ag Day barbecue March 9. Hrubes is a senior in agricultural business, and Cortum is a senior in public service and administration in agriculture. The award goes to graduating seniors who have demonstrated leadership in the college, strong academic success, and participated in quality internships and volunteer services.
DAIRY SCIENCE CLUB DANCE RAISES $1,800
An annual dance sponsored by the Dairy Science Club was held in February with 15 clubs participating and 220 attendees. Of the $1,800 raised through admissions and donations, $1,000 will go to the Food At First program, $445 to the ACCESS Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support and $445 to Military Mail Call.
LEOPOLD CENTER CELEBRATES NEIGHBORS IN FY09 ANNUAL REPORT
The importance of personal connections in Iowa agriculture is highlighted in the 2008-09 annual report from the Leopold Center. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2010/031010_annual.html
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
March 31: New Course Development grant proposals due
April 19: CALS Student Computer Fee Proposals due
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EXTERNAL FUNDING
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NEW ISU ONLINE SYSTEM OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The VPR/ED's office has launched a searchable online system to enhance the ability of researchers to find funding opportunities. The system will be updated daily with newly released grant opportunities from the public and private sectors. Funding opportunities sponsored by ISU units will also be included and can be added by contacting Larry Quisenberry at larryq@iastate.edu. Faculty, staff and students can use their ISU netID to sign into the system.
PREPROPOSALS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM DUE MARCH 29
The CCEP program seeks to establish a coordinated national network of regionally- or thematically-based partnerships devoted to increasing the adoption of effective, high-quality educational programs and resources related to the science of climate change and its impacts. An institution may submit only one proposal as lead institution. Preproposals must be submitted to Dorothy Pimlott (dpimlot@iastate.edu) by March 29. The preproposal (no more than three pages) should include a description of the project that includes all the key components as requested in the RFP and a discussion about who will be involved and their roles in the project. More: http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503465
FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
April 12 (preliminary proposals): Innovations in Biological Imaging and Visualization; two to 10 awards, $5 million total anticipated funding. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10538/nsf10538.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT....Â
April 13: NSF Advancing Theory in Biology; 10 awards, maximum of $750,000 for three years (including indirect), $5 million total anticipated funding. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501066&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39
April 20 (letter of intent): March of Dimes Biomedical Research Funding (e.g., biological processes, genetics, reproductive health, environmental toxicology, and social and behavioral studies); $98,000 average award.
May 5 (letter of intent): Home and Family Based Approaches for the Prevention or Management of Overweight or Obesity in Early Childhood (R01); size of awards will vary with scope of projects. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-127.html
May 7 (letter of intent): Dimensions of Biodiversity; 30 awards, up to $3 million over five years, U.S.-China projects up to $750,000 for five years, $20 million total anticipated funding in FY2010. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10548/nsf10548.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_179
May 16 (letter of intent): Home and Family Based Approaches for the Prevention or Management of Overweight or Obesity in Early Childhood (R21); $275,000 (direct costs) over two years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-128.html
June 5 (new submissions): Collaborative Research for Molecular and Genomic Studies of Behavior in Animal Models (R01); award amounts will vary, up to five years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-125.html
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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UTILIZE AND USE "“ COMMON USAGE VS. GOOD USAGE
Utilize "“ try the verb "use" instead.
Utilization "“ try the noun "use" instead.
"The mere presence of a word in the dictionary's pages does not mean that the word is in all respects fit for print." The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition
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INFOGRAZING
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VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR VEISHEA 2010
Faculty and staff are invited by the Division of Student Affairs to support Veishea student leaders as they showcase educational and entertainment opportunities. Volunteer opportunities include the Pancake Breakfast on central campus, April 16-17, 11:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. and Zone Coverage (four-hour shifts), April 16-17, 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Contact Michelle Boettcher, mboettch@iastate.edu, 4-1020.
APLU SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR CARVER DISTINGUISHED LECTURESHIP
Nominations of individuals nationally recognized for their contributions to the advancement of education and research in the food and agricultural sciences are sought to give the 2010 George Washington Carver Distinguished Lectureship. The scholarly presentation may focus on any dimension of the land-grant university's role in the application of such education and research to address world community challenges. Nominations must be received by March 29. The lecture will be given during the APLU annual meeting in Dallas on Nov. 15.
WOMEN'S AG CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 9
The 2010 Women's Ag Conference is scheduled for April 9 at Southwestern Community College. All women involved in agribusiness, production or education (college students included) are invited to attend. Keynote speaker is Sue Martin, often seen on IPTV's Market to Market. Registration fee is $10. Contact Francine Ide, ide@swcciowa.edu, (641) 344-2225.
PLANT BREEDING LECTURE SERIES SCHEDULED FOR MAY 13-14
The 2010 Plant Breeding Lecture Series is scheduled for May 13-14 in the Scheman Building, organized by the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding. This year's theme is The iPlant Collaborative, established in 2008 to foster the growth of a multidisciplinary community that will address grand challenges in plant biology through the development of cyberinfrastructure. All events are free and open to the public.
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INTERNAL VOICES
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ALUM SEES THE WORLD WITH AG BUSINESS DEGREE
The ISU Agricultural Business Club honored Joseph Taets of Archer Daniels Midland Company with its Outstanding Alumni Award on March 6. Taets, who graduated from ISU in 1988 with a degree in agricultural business, is corporate officer and vice president of ADM's Grain group. "Mr. Taets is a great example of being able to see the world with an ISU agricultural business degree," said Ron Deiter, professor of economics and advisor to the Agricultural Business Club. Taets began his career as a trainee working for the Grain division of ADM, before switching over to soybeans in the oilseeds division of the company. After receiving his MBA from Drake University, he started his international career with ADM. From 1994 to 2000, Taets was located in the Netherlands as senior trader and then commercial manager for ADM's Oilseeds Processing Division. From 2000 to 2007, he was stationed in Germany as vice president of ADM's European Soybean Processing Division and then as president of ADM's European Oilseeds Processing and Refining Division. In 2008 and 2009, Taets served in Switzerland as managing director of ADM's European operations, before moving to the company's corporate offices in Decatur, Il.
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EXTERNAL VOICES
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ALUM RECEIVES MERITORIOUS HONOR AWARD FOR EFFORTS IN IRAQ
Michael Clayton, a 1983 ISU agronomy graduate and district conservationist with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service in Princeton, Ky., has returned from a 16-month voluntary assignment in Iraq to help rebuild that country's agricultural sector. Clayton received a meritorious honor award from the U.S. Department of State for his efforts in Iraq. "Whether their expertise is in forestry, soil and water conservation, food safety, agricultural extension and policy or veterinary services, volunteers like Michael are needed to contribute their specialized skills to help farmers, citizens and the national and provincial government leaders of these two countries," said John Brewer, USDA-FAS Administrator. The Times Leader Online, March 13
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MARGINALIA
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IMPORTANCE OF MEETING FACULTY MEMBERS IN RECRUITMENT
"The summer after my junior year of high school, my family made a pilgrimage to the three universities on my dream list. Each institution arranged for us to meet with a faculty member in my likely major. The professor at the first visit was arrogant and condescending. The second visit was better, not exactly a warm and fuzzy meeting, but there was some rapport there. The third visit was fantastic. The professor was friendly, affirming of my interest, and made me feel like he wanted me in that program. I suppose you can figure out which institution I chose to attend. I think back on those visits each time I meet with families of prospective students at my institution." Gene C. Fant Jr. dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., in the March 11 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER DIGITAL COLLECTION NOW AVAILABLE
The George Washington Carver digital collection is now available through the Parks Library. This collection highlights materials from the Special Collections Department and includes letters, photographs and Carver's master's thesis, "Plants as Modified by Man."
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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart, jstewart@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
SUBSCRIBE
Ag and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag and Life Sciences Online subscribe" to jstewart@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag and Life Sciences Online unsubscribe."
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