College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Oct. 10, 2016 – No. 921
Top Stories
CALS Featured in New White House Initiative
CALS was among several institutions featured in a new White House effort to expand the nation’s agricultural workforce. Last week, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the White House Rural Council, in collaboration with federal agencies and private-sector stakeholders, announced actions to expand and diversify the pool of potential agricultural employees. A fact sheet included CALS’ plan to build a $2.5 million educational and training center in the Kamuli District of Uganda where the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods has developed education and development programs and sponsoring a student to attend the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture annual meeting. More
2016 World Food Prize Focuses on Food as Medicine
The 2016 World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue, Oct. 12-14 in Des Moines, will focus on “Let Food Be Thy Medicine.” As it honors the impact of biofortified crops in positively impacting the health and nutrition of people around the world, the 2016 Borlaug Dialogue will include an emphasis on the crucial role of nutrition in global food security. More Events related to the World Food Prize taking place on campus or involving ISU faculty and staff are listed below. An agenda and list of side events are available at the World Food Prize website.
World Food Prize: Iowa Hunger Summit, Oct. 10
The annual Iowa Hunger Summit is being held at the downtown Des Moines Marriott today, Oct. 10. Liesl Eathington, economics, is part of a panel discussion on the state of hunger in Iowa. More
World Food Prize: CALS Sustainability Lecture Series, Oct. 10
Keith Paustian, Colorado State University, will present the next lecture in the CALS Sustainability Lecture Series today, Oct. 10, 3:10 p.m. in 2432 Food Sciences Building. Paustian is a professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and senior research scientist at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory. He will speak on “Climate-Smart Soils: Bringing Pie in the Sky Down to Earth.” A reception will follow at 4:30 p.m. in the Agronomy Hall Commons. More
World Food Prize: Norman Borlaug Lecture, Oct. 10
The 2016 World Food Prize Laureates will present the Norman Borlaug Lecture today, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Maria Andrade, Robert Mwanga and Jan Low, International Potato Center, and Howarth Bouis, HarvestPlus, will speak on “Leading the Fight against Malnutrition and Hidden Hunger.” A reception and student poster display will precede the lecture at 7 p.m. in the South Ballroom. More
World Food Prize: Iowa Food Leadership Reception, Oct. 12
ISU President Steven Leath and CALS Dean Wendy Wintersteen will be on a panel of speakers for the Iowa Food Leadership Reception on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott Hotel. Iowa’s leading role in food and agriculture innovation will be highlighted throughout this social event, with special emphasis on ISU’s contributions to the field. More
World Food Prize: President of World Bank to Speak at College of Business, Oct. 13
Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank, will present “From Muscatine to the World Bank” on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2 to 3 p.m. in the Richard and Joan Stark Lecture Hall, 1148 Gerdin Business Building. The lecture is part of ISU’s College of Business CEO Speaker Series.
World Food Prize: Engaging Public Universities to Feed the World, Oct. 14
President Steven Leath will be part of a panel of speakers on “The Challenge of Change: Engaging Public Universities to Feed the World” on Friday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m. in the Downtown Des Moines Marriott Hotel, during day three of the Borlaug Dialogue. More
Teaching and Students
Snow Blower Service Days, Oct. 14-15
The Agriculture Systems Technology Club will hold its annual snow blower service days Friday, Oct. 14 (1 to 6 p.m.), and Saturday, Oct. 15 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), at Sukup Hall on the west side of campus. The $25 cost includes oil, spark plug, grease and a half tank of gas. Pickup and delivery (Ames only) is available for $15; call (515) 708-8672 or send an email request to astservicedays@gmail.com by 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 to request this service. More
Delta Waterfowl Chapter Hosting Fundraiser Dinner, Oct. 15
The ISU student chapter of Delta Waterfowl, housed in the department of natural resource ecology and management, is hosting a dinner on Saturday, Oct. 15, 5 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Ames. Proceeds will go toward conservation efforts and raising awareness of duck hunting in the area. Online ticket sales end on Friday, Oct. 14.
CALS Students Visit Farms during Agriculture Weekend Experience
On Oct. 7-9, nine students traveled to Marshall and Story Counties to participate in the CALS 2016 Agriculture Weekend Experience. Students were able to tour The Huxley Learning Center, Blood Dairy and Hilldale Pork while staying at three different host family homes. The participants were able to get hands-on agricultural learning experience while taking in Iowa agriculture during harvest time. More
Culinary Science Club Organizes “Culinary Boot Camp”
ISU Dining partnered with the Culinary Science Club to organize a free “Culinary Boot Camp” for students. Students learned about smart shopping, nutrition and cooking techniques from professional chefs. More
Plans Underway for NREM Classes at New Conservation Camp
Plans are underway to hold NREM courses at the new Rod and Connie French Conservation Education Camp in the Bitterroot Mountains west of Missoula, Mont., beginning in summer 2017. The camp was established through a $4.1 million donation by the late Rod French and his wife, Connie, of Des Moines. Sue Blodgett, chair of the departments of entomology and natural resource ecology and management, is working with faculty on developing and adapting courses to be held at the camp. More
Extension and Outreach
Webinar to Address Misconceptions about Drainage and Water Quality
Matt Helmers, agricultural and biosystems engineering, will discuss common misconceptions about drainage and water quality during the Iowa Learning Farms’ monthly webinar on Oct. 19 at 1 p.m.
Around the College
ISU-led Program Awarded Top Honors by USDA
On Oct. 6, Lois Wright Morton, sociology, accepted the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture Partnership Award on behalf of the Climate Change, Mitigation and Adaptation in Corn-based Cropping Systems team, which she directs. In March 2011, Wright Morton convened a nine-state, 11-institution partnership to discover, engage, publish and teach strategies farmers can put in place throughout the Corn Belt to make corn-based cropping systems more resilient to current and predicted impacts of climate change. More
Hanna Receives SMV Technologies Ergonomics, Safety and Health Award
Mark Hanna, agricultural and biosystems engineering and ASABE Fellow, received the SMV Technologies Ergonomics, Safety and Health award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers at their annual meeting in July in Orlando. Hanna received the award for his outstanding leadership and contributions for producers, and for support of Farm Safety for Just Kids.
ISU and Animal Scientist Featured in Republic of Kosovo Documentary
RTK, the equivalent of Iowa Public Television in the Republic of Kosovo, aired a documentary on Oct. 5 highlighting interaction with Iowa related to the military, the economy, the justice system and education. ISU and Curt Youngs, animal science, are featured at the 33 minute mark.
Departments Plan Pizza Sale to Support United Way Campaign
The departments of natural resource ecology and management and entomology are holding a pizza sale on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out) in the first floor lobby of Science II, to support the United Way campaign. Cost is $2 per slice.
United Way Update: CALS at 41 Percent of Goal
Two CALS sponsored events took place last week to raise money for the 2016 ISU/United Way Campaign. The book sale raised $390 and the online auction raised $1,490. CALS has raised $29,659 to date, 41 percent of its goal.
Calendar
Oct. 11: CALS Fall Career Day
The CALS Fall Career Day will be Tuesday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center. More than 250 organizations have committed to the job fair so far. “The event speaks highly to the quality of students and program associated with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,” said Mike Gaul, director of career services for the college. More
Funding Opportunities
ISU Office of Biotechnology Conference and Speaker Support, Due Oct. 31
The Office of Biotechnology is providing funds up to $2,000 per event for biotechnology-related conferences, symposia and workshops. Funding up to $500 per event is available for seminar or individual speakers at events that are held on campus or in Ames. The events must be organized by faculty members and occur between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2017. Applications due Oct. 31.
World Bank Big Data Innovation Challenge, Due Nov. 9
The Big Data Innovation Challenge aims to identify and recognize innovative big data solutions that leverage new sources of data such as government-released open data, satellite imagery, mobile network data, anonymized private sector data, social media data and surveys among others. The big data solutions will need to address specific climate change-related issues pertaining to the nexus areas of food security, nutrition and agriculture, or landscapes: forestry and watersheds. Submissions may be any kind of data-driven solution and may incorporate open source or propriety technology. One challenge winner in each nexus area will receive $10,000 in cash. More
National Pork Board Request for Proposals, Due Nov. 15
The National Pork Board has released its General Call 2017 soliciting research proposals. Research topics include animal welfare, pork quality and safety, antibiotic use and resistance, the environmental footprint, and water use and conservation, among others. Proposals are due Nov. 15. More
FFAR Announces New Rapid Outcomes Grant Program
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research has launched a new Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research program. ROAR provides quick deployment of funds to support research and outreach in the event of an emerging or unanticipated threat to the nation’s food supply or agricultural systems and fills the gap until traditional, longer-term funding sources can be secured. A webinar about the ROAR program is scheduled for Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. More
NSF Dear Colleague Letter: Life STEM
The National Science Foundation has released a Dear Colleague Letter inviting research proposals that create, implement and evaluate innovative models of intervention that will advance the knowledge base for establishing and retaining underrepresented minorities in STEM fields with particular attention to life science and the biosciences. Proposals will be accepted by several NSF programs for PreK-12 and undergraduate learning environments. Researchers may also submit EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research proposals. Proposals should be submitted in accordance with the individual program solicitation deadlines listed in the Dear Colleague Letter. More
Webinar: Animal Health Stakeholder Webinar Series Resumes Oct. 20
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Agricultural Research Service will resume its Animal Health Stakeholder Webinar Series to identify, discuss and prioritize the most pressing research, education and extension needs of animal health stakeholders. The next two webinars will be held on Oct. 20 and will address turkeys and swine. Registration is required and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. A recording and slide set will be posted following each webinar.
Funding Information, Opportunities and Deadline Reminders
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu. Additional information is posted at CALS Pre-Award Resources.
Oct. 21 (internal expression of interest): NSF Innovation Corps – National Innovation Network Nodes Program; one application per institution, email fundingopps@iastate.edu to express interest. More
Oct. 31: EPA Pesticide Safety Education Funds Management Program; $5.5 million for up to five years. More
Oct. 31 (letters of recommendation): Simons Foundation Early Career Investigator in Marine Microbial Ecology and Evolution Awards; $180,000 per year for three years, contact ISU Foundation cfr@foundation.iastate.edu to express interest. More
Oct. 31 (notice of intent): Sloan Foundation - Microbiology of the Built Environment; applicants in final year of Ph.D. program, postdocs, Ph.D. recipient within the past two years and no postdoc training, contact ISU Foundation cfr@foundation.iastate.edu to express interest.
Nov. 9: VentureWell - Faculty Grants; $30,000 for up to three years, engaging students in STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, contact ISU Foundation cfr@foundation.iastate.edu to express interest. More
Nov. 9: World Bank Big Data Innovation Challenge; $10,000 cash prize, challenge areas are food security, nutrition, agriculture and landscapes-forestry or watersheds. More
Nov. 14 (pre-proposals): Burroughs Wellcome Fund - Career Awards at the Scientific Interface; $500,000 over five years, early career. More
Dec. 31: USDA Rural Development Solid Waste Management Grant Programs. More
Jan. 3: NSF Data Infrastructure Building Blocks; $500,000 to $4 million for up to five years. More
Mar. 2: NIH International Research Scientist Development Award (K01); early career, 50 percent of effort in-country. More
Communications Kiosk
Punctuation Rules for Possessives
Personal interrogative and relative pronouns have separate forms for the possessive. None involve an apostrophe: Mine, ours, your, yours, his, hers, its, theirs, whose. If you are using an apostrophe with a pronoun, always double-check to be sure that the meaning calls for a contraction: you’re, it’s, there’s, who’s. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2015 edition, pg. 213)
Infograzing
Science Bound Celebrates 25 Years of Pursuing Academic Excellence
The ISU Science Bound program is celebrating 25 years of empowering Iowa students of color to pursue degrees and careers in STEM fields. The program draws students from middle and high schools in Des Moines, Denison and Marshalltown. More
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is published by email every Monday. The deadline for submitting content is 12 p.m. on Friday.