College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Nov. 4, 2019
Top Stories
CALS Student Receives Spirit of Innovation and Service Award
Cody Acevedo, a senior in animal ecology, received the George Washington Carver Spirit of Innovation and Service Award, sponsored by the George Washington Carver Birthplace Association. Acevedo was one of four recipients nationwide to receive the award, which is presented to first-generation college students pursuing a scientific degree, doing well academically, involved in research, engaged in arts and the humanities, and who demonstrate a determination and perseverance in pursuing their educational and life goals. More
Students Against Racism to Present Campus Conversation, Today
All members of the campus community (students, faculty, staff and administrators) are encouraged to attend a Campus Conversation by Students Against Racism to be held today, Nov. 4, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Room 198, Parks Library. Students will start the conversation with a presentation about recent events on campus that led to the Students Against Racism protest and demands. Participants will have time to discuss in small group while facilitators collect feedback on what is working, what isn’t and what needs to change. An open mic will be available to participants who want to share their stories and input. The event will include resources available for campus community members that have been impacted by incidents of racism on campus.
CALS Cultural Competency Series Continues Nov. 6
The CALS Office for Diversity Programs is continuing its Cultural Competency Lunch and Learn Series on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in 368A Heady Hall. Krisdeena Jansen, University Human Resources, will facilitate a discussion on “Understanding, Handling and Championing Change” to assist participants in gaining a better perspective on change and how it impacts the individual’s work life and how they interact and engage with others. For more information, contact Theressa Cooper, assistant dean for diversity, at tncooper@iastate.edu, 4-8574.
Report Summarizes CALS Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
The 2018-19 Diversity and Inclusion Report, released by the ISU Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost, summarizes progress during the past year on developing and implementing policies and programming to promote diversity and inclusion within its colleges and units. Highlights of CALS programs are provided in section 4.1 (pg. 7) and ISU Extension and Outreach programs in section 5.2 (pg. 10). An expanded description of college programs is provided in section 7.1 (pgs. 12-17) and of extension agriculture and natural resource initiatives in section 7.10 (pg. 29).
Research
New Grant Helps CALS Scientists Study How Cover Crops Affect Plant Disease
Alison Robertson, plant pathology and microbiology, is coordinating experiments across 15 states to determine how the timing of cover crop termination affects the susceptibility of corn to disease. The experiments are part of a USDA-funded initiative that includes 100 scientists and 35 institutions to develop a suite of new tools to help farmers. More
Teaching and Students
Ag 450 Farm Welcomes New Instructor and Farm Operator
The Ag 450 Farm, managed by students in the AGEDS 450: Farm Management and Operation course, was featured in the Oct. 27 issue of the Iowa State Daily. Skyler Rinker, a former student of the Ag 450 farm, is now the instructor. Jacob Parr, also a former student, is the new farm operator. More
Snow Blower Service Days, Nov. 8-9
The Agriculture Systems Technology Club will hold its annual snow blower service days Friday Nov. 8 (1 to 6 p.m.), and Saturday Nov. 9 (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), at Sukup Hall on the west side of campus. The $25 cost includes oil, spark plug, grease and a 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 Nov. 7 to request this service.
Block and Bridle Summer Sausage and Cheese Sale
An online form is available for the Block and Bridle Club’s annual holiday summer sausage and cheese sale. The last day to order for Thanksgiving shipping is Nov. 19; for Christmas shipping, Dec. 10. Also, the summer sausage and cheese can be purchased on campus through Dec. 6 – Mondays in the Sukup Hall atrium, Tuesdays in Agronomy Hall lobby, Wednesdays in Kildee Hall Lush Auditorium, Thursdays in Beardshear Hall lobby and Fridays in Curtiss Hall Harl Commons. The summer sausage is made on campus in the Meats Laboratory and the cheese (cheddar, colby jack and mild pepper jack) is from Bongards Creamery in Minnesota. Money raised will be used for club trips, and shows and scholarships hosted by the club. Contact isussandc@gmail.com with questions.
Extension and Outreach
Butterflies Highlight the 2020 Extension Garden Calendar
ISU Extension and Outreach has released its 2020 Garden Calendar, featuring the beauty and importance of butterflies. The calendar includes information on planting, harvesting and other lawn and garden cultural practices, along with space to create a gardening journal so growers can record their own progress. Richard Jauron, horticulture specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, said the garden tips and dates serve as a general timeframe for completion of specific garden tasks. More
Economics: Study Shows Iowa Farm Liquidity in Decline
A recent study of 214 mid-size Iowa farms, conducted by Alejandro Plastina, economics and extension economist, found that 44 percent of the farms could be classified as having “vulnerable liquidity” in December 2018, while that percentage was just 31.3 percent in December 2014. These results and more analysis are featured in the October edition of the Ag Decision Newsletter, in the article “Farm liquidity slightly up, but still subdued.” More
Online Crop Marketing Course to Launch Nov. 10
For the second consecutive year, ISU Extension and Outreach will offer producers an online marketing opportunity that allows them to train and complete quizzes at their own pace. The “Online Crop Marketing Course” offers a non-credit professional certificate, intended for row crop farming managers or those who simply want to learn more about marketing corn and soybeans. More
Beef Nutrition Research Showcase Set for Dec. 4
The 2019 Beef Nutrition Research Showcase is set for Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m. in the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center, with an optional tour of the Iowa State Beef Nutrition Farm at noon. The showcase is presented by ISU’s Iowa Beef Center and the ruminant nutrition group in the animal science department. More
ANR Extension Staff Spotlight: Randall Cass
Randall Cass is featured in the latest ANR Extension Staff Spotlight. He is an extension program specialist for Extension to Agriculture, and conducts honey bee and native bee research and talks to beekeepers, farmers and landowners about best management practices for bee health and pollinator conservation. More
Around the College
Savencia Cheese USA Establishes Scholarship in Dairy, Food Science
Savencia Cheese USA has established the Dorothy Demeter – Savencia Cheese USA Undergraduate Scholarship, honoring the first woman to receive a dairy science degree from Iowa State University and highlighting the potential of women to succeed in dairy foods careers. Demeter received her bachelor’s degree in 1953. Savencia’s $50,000 commitment will create an endowed scholarship at Iowa State, providing support to outstanding students majoring in dairy or food science with consideration for those interested in cheesemaking. More
Gates Named Director of Egg Industry Center
Richard Gates has been named director of the Egg Industry Center at ISU. Gates, currently a professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, will start his new duties with the center on Jan. 1. He also will hold the Iowa Egg Council Endowed Professorship at Iowa State. Susan Lamont will continue to serve as the center’s interim director through December. More
Two Finalists for Chair of Animal Science on Campus this Week
Two finalists for chair of the department of animal science will be on campus this week. Mark Boggess, director of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb., will speak at a one-hour public seminar on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. Joseph Cassady, professor and head of the department of animal science at South Dakota State University, will hold a public seminar on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. in the Ensminger Room.
Leopold Center Selects Paul Mugge for Spencer Award
Sutherland farmer Paul Mugge has been selected as the 2019 winner of the Spencer Award, presented by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. A 1974 Iowa State graduate in engineering, Mugge raises organic corn, soybeans, small grains and alfalfa on his family’s 300-acre farm. The Spencer Award is one of the most prestigious awards of its kind. It recognizes farmers, researchers and teachers who have contributed significantly to the environmental and economic stability of the Iowa farming community. More
The Conversation: Midwest Farmers Support Trade Policies Despite the Costs
In a Nov. 4 essay distributed nationally by The Conversation, Wendong Zhang, economics, Lulu Rodriguez, Seed Science Center, and Shuyang Qu, agricultural education and studies, talk about how America’s farmers have borne the brunt of China’s retaliation in the trade war that President Donald Trump launched in 2018. Although farmers have lost billions of dollars in exports, China’s strategy hasn’t created the intended effect. The authors conducted a survey of corn and soybean farmers. Published in October, it suggests three reasons farmers support federal trade policies despite the costs. More
Seed Science Center Hosts Food Drive
The Seed Science Center is hosting a food drive and offering a free “Hunger Fighting” shirt when two nonperishable food items are donated before Nov. 15. All donations will be delivered to the SHOP Food Pantry on campus for students in need. More
CALS Event Contributes $1,800 to United Way Campaign
The annual online auction hosted by CALS in October raised $1,807.51 towards the Live United Way Campaign in Story County.
Calendar
Nov. 6-7: Feedback Sought on Campus Facilities and Spaces
A collaborative team developing a strategic facilities plan is seeking input on how the campus community uses Iowa State's buildings and spaces. Input is being sought from faculty, staff and students during three come-and-go open house sessions being held Nov. 6-7. More
Nov. 11: Gold Star Hall Ceremony
Four former ISU students will be recognized for their military service, and their ultimate sacrifice, at the annual Gold Star Hall ceremony on Nov. 11 at 3:15 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Schuyler Wheeler, from Boone, studied dairy industry at Iowa State from 1939 to 1941. He joined the U.S. Army on July 12, 1942. Wheeler was killed Dec. 15, 1944, while trying to help liberate Ensdorf, Germany. The 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge will also be recognized. More
Infograzing
ISU Joins National Alliance to Develop More Inclusive and Diverse STEM Faculty
ISU is one of 20 public research universities selected by the National Alliance for Inclusive and Diverse STEM Faculty for its three-year institutional change effort to help the institutions develop inclusive faculty recruitment, hiring and retention practices. The new cohort joins an inaugural set of 15 institutions that began working together to advance such work earlier this year. More
Marginalia
From the Archives: ISU Entomological Desserts Appear on Tonight Show, 1992
In 1992, the ISU Entomology Club made national headlines for a component of its annual Insect Horror Film Festival when students Julie Stephens and Kathy Gee took their entomological desserts on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. “As far as I can tell, the Insect Horror Film Festival was discontinued at ISU around 2005, though not before it was featured in travel guidebooks and inspired similar programs in numerous other Entomology departments around the country,” wrote Rachael Acheson in the Oct. 31 post of Cardinal Tales, published by Special Collections and University Archives at ISU. She included tasty recipes reproduced in the Ames Tribune, along with a helpful guide for acquiring and preparing the insects. 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.