College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
July 8, 2019
Top Stories
Diving Into Water Quality Research
Jenna Rasmusson, a senior in agronomy, is spending her summer studying water quality and how it relates to agriculture. She is one of several students participating in a summer internship, which offers an opportunity for students to build their resumes, network and get hands-on experience. Learn about her story in this college video.
Research
Agronomists Team Up to Advance State’s Bioscience Priorities
A second year of seed grants will support development of three Iowa State-Iowa research teams working on projects in the biosciences. The idea is to help the researchers build joint teams, collect data, grow projects, compete for bigger grants and help grow Iowa’s bioscience economy. Brian Hornbuckle and Andy Vanloocke, agronomy, are researchers on one of the grants that will address improving weather forecasts for precision agriculture. More
Egg Industry Center Challenge Grant to Address Air Quality
The Egg Industry Center has released a challenge grant to encourage teams of researchers to work collaboratively to solve air quality challenges created by cage-free laying hen housing. The challenge grant awards up to five teams $5,000 and a chance to submit a research proposal addressing cage-free air quality for up to $100,000. More
FSHN Faculty Look at FFAR Research Opportunities
Melha Mellata and Greg Curtzwiler, food science and human nutrition, attended a digital agriculture workshop on June 27 hosted by Food from Thought. Facilitated by Bronwynne Wilton of Wilton Consulting Group, the workshop dove into research and collaboration opportunities within the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research challenge areas. More
Extension and Outreach
Poll: Rented Land Remains a Barrier to Conservation
The 2018 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll finds that farmers are interested and engaged in conservation, but that rent agreements can be a factor. J. Arbuckle, sociology and primary author of the study, said there appears to be a feeling among farmers that landlord commitment to conservation is declining. More
Fruit and Vegetable Field Day at Horticulture Station Aug. 5
Research taking place at the Horticulture Research Station will be on display for the Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on Aug. 5. The annual event will feature various research and demonstration projects tailored toward commercial growers, extension personnel, nonprofit organizations and Master Gardeners. More
Around the College
Iowa Soybean Research Center Hosts Farm Tour
The Iowa Soybean Research Center recently hosted a summer farm tour for ISU faculty, post-docs, graduate students and visiting scholars. The tour included stops at the Bayer Learning Facility in Huxley and Robb and Jennifer Ewoldt’s farm near Blue Grass. Staff from the Iowa Soybean Association, ISU Extension field agronomists and Wallaces Farmer also joined the group, which was led by ISRC director Greg Tylka. The ISRC hosts farm tours two-to-three times per year for students and faculty so they can see and experience Iowa farming operations first-hand as well as businesses that support farming.
Wine Expert to Join FSHN Department
Aude Watrelot will be joining food science and human nutrition as an assistant professor in enology. She will conduct research and develop an extension program related to wine science.
CALS Alum Named Inspiring Leader of Ag Sector
Mikayla Sullivan, co-founder of KinoSol, was named one of 15 inspiring women leading in the agricultural technology sector by Foodtank. KinoSol, is tackling post-harvest loss in developing countries through the use of mobile, solar food dehydrators. This allows users to increase income, preserve food for up to six months and reduce household-level food waste. Sullivan is a 2017 CALS graduate with a bachelor’s degree in global resource systems and public service and administration in agriculture. More
Ag Startup Engine Announces Investment in Tractor Zoom
Ag Startup Engine announced that it has made a follow-on investment in Des Moines based agricultural technology startup Tractor Zoom. The investment comes in a year after their initial investment. Tractor Zoom, one of 10 AgTech startups in the ISU Research Park, is an online marketplace that connects farm equipment auctioneers and buyers. Ag Startup Engine works in tandem with the ISU Startup Factory, ISU Pappajohn Center and CALS Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative around agriculture-centric ventures. More
Fresh Produce Available from ISU Horticulture Farm
Faculty, staff and students can order fruits and vegetables grown at the Horticulture Research Station through an online produce-ordering website. Pick-up is every Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Harl Commons entrance of Curtiss Hall, on the east side of the building. Produce will also be available for purchase without pre-ordering. More
Communications Kiosk
In vs. Into
In indicates location: He was in the room. Into indicates motion: She walked into the room. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2018 edition, pg. 147)
Marginalia
Installation of Agronomy Department Chair Portraits Complete
After nearly three years, portraits of all nine past department chairs have been installed in Agronomy Hall. The portraits span 117 years of history, dating back to when the department was first established in 1902. Artist Liza Amir used historical photos to paint five portraits, but had met and photographed three former chairs – John Pesek, Ronald Cantrell and Steven Fales. Commissioned by University Museums and the agronomy department, the portraits are part of the Art on Campus collection. More
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
http://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.