Issue: 626

................................................... AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ................................................... The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter Iowa State University Nov. 1, 2010 No. 626 ................................................... COLLEGE NEWS ................................................... NEW GRANT TO IOWA STATE WILL SUPPORT ORGANIC SOIL RESEARCH ISU was awarded a grant to study the effect of cover crops, soil amendments and reduced tillage on carbon sequestration and soil health in a long-term organic vegetable system. USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced $691,969 in funding as part of its Organic Transitions Program. ISU UPDATES LIST OF SCN-RESISTANT SOYBEAN VARIETIES FOR IOWA GROWERS The soybean cyst nematode continues to be a serious threat to soybean production in all soybean-producing areas of Iowa and the Midwest. But there are hundreds of SCN-resistant soybean varieties available for growers to use to manage the pest. ISU Extension has released the 2010 version of its annual list of SCN-resistant soybean varieties in maturity groups 0, 1, 2 and 3. NEARLY HALF OF IOWANS SURVEYED VISIT IOWA'S RIVERS AND STREAMS Results of a new statewide representative survey reveal the patterns and preferences of Iowa citizens in their use of the state's rivers and streams, with nearly half of survey respondents reporting taking trips to one of the 73 listed river or stream segments during 2009. Researchers in the Department of Economics and Center for Agricultural and Rural Development conducted the survey, with funding from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  RUST NAMED TO MEAT INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME Robert Rust, emeritus professor in the animal science department, was one of 12 new members inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame on Oct. 30 during a ceremony in Scottsdale, Ariz. Rust joined ISU in 1959 as the university's first extension meat specialist. CALS ALUM HONORED AT AWARDS CEREMONY, OCT. 29 CALS awards presented on Oct. 29 at the annual ISU Alumni Association Honors and Awards ceremony include: * Jim Borel received the Floyd Andre Award, which recognizes alums who have made outstanding contributions to production agriculture, agricultural business or who have significantly influenced Iowa agriculture. * Rose Boughton received the George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award, which honors ISU alumni and friends for outstanding achievements in the agricultural, food, environmental, social and life sciences. * Dana Robes received the Henry A. Wallace Award, which was established in 1978 to honor an ISU alumnus who has made an outstanding contribution to national or international agriculture in writing, teaching, research or leadership. * Andrea Falk Sellers received the Superior Achievement Award for Early or Mid-career alumni, which honors distinguished alumni under 40 years old who have excelled in their professions and are providing outstanding service, leadership and involvement in their communities. FOOD SCIENCE PROFESSOR HONORED BY CEREAL CHEMIST ASSOCIATION Larry Johnson, food science and human nutrition, has been presented the Applied Research Award by the American Association of Cereal Chemists. Johnson presented "The Bioeconomy"”2010 and Beyond" at a lecture after receiving the award, which was presented at the AACC annual meeting Oct. 24-27.  AGCO EXPANDS SUPPORT OF ABE STUDENTS AND PROGRAMS AGCO Corporation has recently expanded support of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering program through the loan of an MT765C tracked tractor for use in classroom, research and extension activities. This equipment support further strengthens the growing relationship between AGCO and ISU, which currently includes support for five competitive undergraduate scholarships as well as research support for several graduate students within ABE. LEOPOLD CENTER VIDEOS HIGHLIGHT GOATS, CATTLE, BIODIVERSITY A multi-year project teams public agencies with Iowa farmers who own goat and cattle herds. The goats eat invasive plants and shrubs, while the cattle provide native grass management. The project is discussed on three new videos. MORE WOMEN DRIVING COLLEGE AGRICULTURE PROGRAM EXPANSION The growth in college agricultural programs across the country has come from women, according to information from 71 institutions. For fall 2010, CALS programs had 1,763 men and 1,535 women. From 1987 to 2000 the increase in enrollment was primarily from women, according to Tom Polito, director of student services. More: http://www.farmworldonline.com/News/NewsArticle.asp?newsid=11349 BLOCK AND BRIDLE CLUB BEGINS SUMMER SAUSAGE AND CHEESE SALES The Block and Bridle Club begins its summer sausage and cheese sales this week. Locations are: Monday at Vet Med, Tuesday at Kildee and LeBaron, Wednesday at Beardshear and Thursday at Howe and Bessey. More: Brandon Ledger, bdledger@iastate.edu. SLIDE SHOW: MIKE GAUL DESCRIBES CAREER DAY SUCCESSES A slide show and interview with Mike Gaul highlight the Ag Career Day successes. The event was held Oct. 19 and more than 160 employers and 1,400 students attended the event. The event kicks off the interview season for students seeking jobs and summer internships. The CALS career fair is the largest in the nation and one industry representative said it's one of the most competitive fairs he's attended, as far as student talent. DEADLINES AND REMINDERS Nov. 1: CALS P&S exceptional performance pay requests due. Nov. 8: Faculty development seminar on "Student Outcomes Assessment: What have we learned from ABE?" 12 to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Cardinal Room. Nov. 12: Holiday ham orders due to the Meat Science Club Nov. 16: CALS P&S award nominations. Dec. 12: Student applications due for Borlaug-Thomson Summer Internship in Cresco. More: David Acker, dacker@iastate.edu, 4-6614. ................................................... EXTERNAL FUNDING ................................................... GRANTSMANSHIP INFORMATION ON SYSTEMS-BASED PROJECTS AVAILABLE ON WEB Presentations from the September 2010 workshop "Planning and Managing Systems Based Trans-disciplinary Project for USDA/NIFA Programs" are available on the Internet. The presentations cover the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, the Organic Research and Extension Initiative and the Organic Transitions Programs. Topics include successful proposal preparation, building collaborative teams, developing multifunctional projects and project management. Presentations from the 2009 workshop are also available, and applicants and administrators are encouraged to explore the archives from both sessions. IOWA WATER CENTER REQUESTS RESEARCH PROPOSALS The Iowa Water Center announces its annual 104(B) research grants program sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey and is seeking water research proposals. Funding per project will normally be in the range of $20,000 to $30,000 per year for a maximum of two years. Investigators must show matching funds of 2:1 nonfederal to federal dollars. Funding for projects selected will be available beginning March 1, 2011. Please email the proposal as a Word file to iowawatercenter@iastate.edu by close of business Dec. 6. More: http://www.water.iastate.edu/ FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu Nov. 15 (letter of intent): Centers of Excellence to Promote a Healthier Workforce (U19); three to five awards, new centers can propose up to $1.3 million per year for three years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OH-11-001.html Nov. 20: Chemistry of Life Processes. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503417&WT.mc_id=USNSF_3… Dec. 1 (letter of intent): Accelerating Innovation Research; two new activities, Technology Translation Plan and Research Alliance Competition, 18 awards, $350,000 to $1 million. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503553&WT.mc_id=USNSF_3… Dec. 22: Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program; 25% match required, $19 million total estimated funding. Jan. 18: Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom (SPECA) Challenge Grants Program; $25,000 to $300,000, requires 25% match. Jan. 31: Specialty Crop Research Initiative; awards up to $10 million, 100% cost share, $47.3 million total anticipated funding. ................................................... COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK ................................................... THERE'S A TEMPLATE FOR THAT"¦FROM ISU MARKETING Creating a PowerPoint presentation? A brochure? A research poster? Whatever the project, there is probably an ISU template available. You can find a selection of attractive, easy-to-use Iowa State templates on the Printing and Copy Services website, http://www.print.iastate.edu/. These are provided by the Office of University Marketing to help you communicate Iowa State's identity in a strong and consistent way. Find more information about the visual identity program at http://www.marketing.iastate.edu/identity/. ................................................... INFOGRAZING ................................................... PROTEOMICS FACILITY, PROTEIN FACILITY COMBINE SERVICES Due to budget constraints and changing needs within the university, the Proteomics Facility (0079 Carver Co-Laboratory) and the Protein Facility (1178 Molecular Biology Building) have combined their services. The Proteomics Facility was established by the Plant Sciences Institute to provide tandem mass spectrometry and MS/MS capabilities for proteomics research projects. Services provided by the facility complement the protein and peptide analytical services offered by the Protein Facility in the Office of Biotechnology. WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ANNUAL REPORT ONLINE The 2009-10 annual report from the Program for Women in Science and Engineering is now available online. Highlights from the past year included setting records for highest percentage and total number of undergraduate women in STEM; reached 8,945 individuals through the K-12 outreach programming; WiSE Learning Communities and peer mentors recognized; and strengthened partnerships and new programming partnerships. DATA HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF FORESTS IN FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE The USDA Forest Service has released new estimates of the total carbon storage of U.S. forests, highlighting the important role America's forests play in the fight against climate change. According to the new data, the carbon sequestered annually offsets roughly 11 percent of the country's industrial greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of removing almost 135 million passenger vehicles from the nation's highways. ................................................... INTERNAL VOICES ................................................... POLITO ON INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT "We have a placement ratio of 98 to 99 percent within three to six months of graduation. Tremendous opportunities are available with the degrees we offer, and in the last five years, we've done a much better job of telling that story. It's really more marketing than recruitment." Tom Polito, director of CALS student services, on the college's increase in enrollment. More: http://www.farmworldonline.com/News/NewsArticle.asp?newsid=11348 RUST ON SAUSAGE AND PROCESSED MEATS SHORT COURSE "If I had made a prediction back then, I would have said we would probably run out of an audience in five to 10 years. But interest remains strong, with participants coming each year from around the world." Bob Rust, emeritus professor in the animal science department, on the Sausage and Processed Meats short course that he initiated in 1979 and that continues today. Rust was one of 12 new members inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Oct. 30 in Scottsdale, Ariz. ................................................... EXTERNAL VOICES ................................................... COW-CALF OPERATOR ON GRAZING AS PART OF CONSERVATION "I just thought it was in interesting project because of the collaboration between county agencies and a local farmer. I guess I'm just trying to get along and see how we can meet each other's needs and show that grazing can be a part of conservation as well." Bruce Carney, owner of a cow-calf operation south of Maxwell, working on a public-private partnership that uses farm animals to restore and rejuvenate prairies and oak savanna along the Skunk River. The project is funded by the Leopold Center. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2010/102610_cpartners… ................................................... MARGINALIA ................................................... RETURN OF THE MILKMAN Three times a week Jan and Jeff King load 300 gallons of milk into a refrigerated truck. Winding their way through suburban culs-de-sac, down country roads and along village streets, they bring glass-bottled, farm fresh milk to more than 150 homes surrounding their family's century-old dairy farm in upstate New York. Their grandfather, Edgar, and father, Ed, traveled the same route for decades before stopping in 1961. Nearly 50 years later, Jan and Jeff are back on the road. More: http://www.parade.com/news/our-towns/2010/1010-return-of-the-milkman.ht… ........................................................ AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ........................................................ 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." Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.