CALS Online and Dean’s Message
Oct. 18, 2021
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS Colleagues – Thanks again to those of you able to attend or watch the CALS Town Hall and hear my update on our college. It’s truly amazing what we accomplish together and what each of you accomplish individually… This week some of us will attend or tune in to the World Food Prize Symposium and Borlaug Dialogue events… The very purpose of the symposium and dialogue is to advance the global demand for more sustainable societies, surely starting with food…
Top Stories
2021 World Food Prize Focuses on Food Systems Transformation
The 2021 World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue, taking place virtually on Oct. 20-22, will focus on Gaining Momentum: Food Systems Transformation in the Decade of Action. Events related to the World Food Prize taking place on campus involving CALS or Iowa State faculty and staff or of particular interest are listed below. An agenda and full list of side events are available on the World Food Prize website.
World Food Prize: Post-Harvest Loss Reduction, Oct. 18
“Post-Harvest Loss Reduction is About More than Reducing Post-Harvest Loss,” presented Monday, Oct. 18, from 9 to 10 a.m., focused on impacts through partnerships on global food systems. The introduction was provided by Dirk Maier, agricultural and biosystems engineering and director of the Consortium for Innovation in Post-Harvest Loss and Food Waste Reduction.
World Food Prize: Norman Borlaug Lecture, Oct. 18
The 2021 World Food Prize laureate, Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, will deliver the Norman Borlaug lecture tonight, Oct. 18, at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Thilsted is the global lead for nutrition and public health at WorldFish, an international research organization headquartered in Malaysia. She will present “Aquatic Foods for Nourishing Nations.” The lecture will also be livestreamed.
World Food Prize: CAST Communication Award Winner, Oct. 19
Sarah Evanega, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research at Cornell University, is the 2021 Borlaug CAST Communication award winner and will be speaking at Iowa State on Oct. 19 from 4 to 5 p.m. in 0013 Curtiss Hall. She will present “Beyond the Bench: Embracing Science Advocacy.”
World Food Prize: Research and Innovation Roundtable, Oct. 20
Transforming food systems requires a strong evidence base along with technology innovations. Research provides the evidence needed to produce safe, nutritious diets, especially for the most vulnerable populations. Speakers include Amy Kaleita, interim chair of agricultural and biosystems engineering.
World Food Prize: Laureate Award Ceremony, Oct. 21
The World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony is typically held in the Iowa State Capitol Building, drawing more than 800 people from more than 75 countries. This year, the Laureate Award Ceremony for Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted will be offered virtually for all to enjoy on Thursday, Oct. 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Research
Iowa State Researchers Part of $10 Million Diverse Corn Belt Project
J. Arbuckle, sociology and criminal justice, and Phil Gassman, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, are part of a regional team awarded a five-year $10 million grant to enhance Midwestern agriculture’s resiliency by moving away from the dominant corn-soybean rotation. The project is funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Researchers Engineer Hardier Microbes to Improve Bioproduction of Fuels, Chemicals
Robert Jernigan, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, is part of a research team working to improve bioproduction of fuels and chemicals by finding enzymes that can withstand the heat and acidity used to lower industrial fermentation costs. The project is supported by a three-year, $969,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Survey Highlights Pandemic’s Effect on Iowa’s Rural Communities
Recently published survey data reveal how the pandemic has affected Iowa’s rural communities differently. The survey, led by David Peters, sociology and criminal justice, asked thousands of Iowans to gauge how the pandemic has impacted their physical and mental health.
ISRC Funds Four Research Projects at Iowa State
The Iowa Soybean Research Center recently awarded funding for four soybean research projects at Iowa State, the largest level of funding invested in a single year by the ISRC since its inception in 2014. Lead investigators for the projects are: Steve Whitham and Leonor Leandro, plant pathology and microbiology; Prashant Jha and Danny Singh, agronomy; Lie Tang, agricultural and biosystems engineering; and Liang Dong, electrical and computer engineering.
Teaching and Students
Ag Business Student Wins Best Bagger Championship
Ben Miller, sophomore in agricultural business, represented Iowa at the 35th annual Best Bagger Championship competition hosted by the National Grocers Association on Sept. 20 in Las Vegas. Miller returned to Iowa with the championship title and plans to put his prize money toward his tuition.
CALS Students Named to Cardinal Court
Congratulations to CALS students Stefany Naranjo, senior in agricultural and life sciences education, and Cale Pellett, senior in agricultural business, for being named to the 2021 Cardinal Court.
Extension and Outreach
Pro-Ag Outlook and Management Webinar Series Set for November
The ISU Extension and Outreach farm management team will hold its annual Pro-Ag Outlook and Management program via five webinars, scheduled for Nov. 1-5. The sessions will focus on issues affecting Iowa agriculture into 2022.
ANR Extension Staff Spotlight: Micki Nelson
Micki Nelson is a communication specialist with the Agriculture and Natural Resources extension communications office. Her area of specialization is graphic design, producing printed and digital educational and marketing materials promoting extension products, courses and ANR specialists.
Around the College
Mutual Interests in Agricultural Collaboration Focus of U.S.-China Policy Paper
The U.S. and China continue to need each other to achieve strategic goals in agriculture, food production and food security, according to a new policy report commissioned by the U.S. Heartland China Association and the Carter Center. Wendong Zhang, economics, authored Finding Firmer Ground: The Role of Agricultural Cooperation in U.S.–China Relations with Minghao Li, assistant professor of economics, applied statistics and international business at New Mexico State University, previously with CARD.
Innvictis/Simplot Join ISRC Advisory Council
Innvictis Seed Solutions distributed by Simplot Grower Solutions has joined the Iowa Soybean Research Center as an industry partner. In this role, Innvictis/Simplot provides financial support to the center and will have a representative serving on the ISRC’s industry advisory council.
Horticulture Station Plants Small Trees with Big Potential
Trees in the newly planted orchard at the Horticulture Research Station will soon be bursting with apples thanks to an innovative growing technique. The chosen apple varieties were grafted to dwarfing rootstock and are already near their maximum height – eight feet compared to the 50-foot height of traditionally grown apple trees. Superintendent Nick Howell said the new orchard will be used to demonstrate the best practices for this growing system to apple producers in Iowa.
FundISU Campaign Launched for ISU-Uganda Program
The ISU-Uganda Program, administered by the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, has launched a FundISU campaign to target early childhood development in Uganda. Currently, the CSRL program provides a mid-morning meal for children and improves some school infrastructure through classroom, kitchen and latrine construction. With funds from the campaign, the goal is to provide age-appropriate learning materials, improve nutrition through adequate meals throughout the day, increase the number of teachers’ aides/assistants, and continue improving infrastructure at schools in the district. The campaign runs through Nov. 30.
CALS Sets Goal for 2021 United Way Campaign
The 2021 campaign to support United Way is underway. The CALS goal for the campaign is $75,000. To date, 20 donors have contributed $16,888, which is 22.5% of the goal. For those interested in getting involved, United Way encourages giving, advocating, and/or volunteering. An easy first or next step is to check out the Workday payroll deduction enrollment (closes Oct. 29), or visit the United Way website to learn more about advocacy and volunteer needs. This campaign provides support for programming in health, education and financial stability and helps create a stronger community for all.
Calendar
Oct. 20: Building Inclusive Communities Webinar Series
The Building Inclusive Communities webinar series continues on Wednesday, Oct. 20, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Simone Soso (’16 PhD environmental science) will present “Expanding the STEM Workforce Through a Diverse Lens and Perspective.”
Oct. 21: Improving Water Quality with Wetlands and Oxbows
A virtual field day on the benefits of increased wetlands and oxbows in the Midwest will be held Thursday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m. The field day is presented by Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the Conservation Learning Group.
Marginalia
Video: Relive the Excitement of CALS Week
CALS Week 2021 featured meals on central campus, Block and Bridle Hunger Fight, Mr. CALS by Sigma Alpha, CALS Study Abroad Fair, CALS Olympics and live music by Royce Johns.
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 Thursday.