CALS Online and Dean’s Message
October 31, 2022
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS Colleagues – In the past couple weeks, we have had some extraordinary speakers come to the college to inform and inspire us. I have been thinking about setting up within the college a special series of “Master Classes” of especially inspiring visitors. Speakers like those we have had in recent weeks, such as Kenneth Quinn, former Ambassador and President Emeritus of the World Food Prize Foundation, and Bill Northey, current CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa and former USDA Under Secretary and IDALS Secretary. During their visits on campus, each took time to simply tell their story and inspire our students (as well as our faculty and staff). We need more of this… More
Top Stories
Plant Scientist Prepares Emerging Researchers for Success in the Lab and Beyond
Mentoring young scientists is a career priority for Dior Kelley, genetics, development and cell biology. This year, Kelley is especially proud of the achievements of two of her former students, spring 2022 graduates Melissa Draves, who majored in genetics with minors in agronomy and biology, and Rebekah Muench, an agronomy major. Their work to develop a standardized method to phenotype seedlings of maize is featured in the October 2022 issue of Current Protocols, with Kelley as co-author. More
Research
Iowa Climate Statement Focuses on Benefits of Trees
The “Iowa Climate Statement 2022: The Many Benefits of Our Trees” was released in October and is focused on climate threats and the strategies to expand and support urban trees and rural woodlands. The Iowa Climate Statement is released annually and was endorsed by more than 200 science faculty and researchers from 33 Iowa colleges and universities. Lead authors for 2022 include Jan Thompson, natural resource ecology and management, and Gene Takle, agronomy. More
Teaching and Students
CALS Students Prepare for Homecoming Festivities
Campaniling, fireworks, Yell like Hell and even bacon are a few of the exciting things to look forward to during Iowa State’s 2022 Homecoming celebration, Oct. 30-Nov. 5. A year’s worth of planning goes into making Homecoming week a success, and several CALS students have had a part in the process. More
Graduate Student Club Holding Meat Raffle as Fundraiser
Members of the Association of Graduate Animal Scientists are selling meat bundle raffle tickets for their annual fundraiser. Two winners will receive more than 50 pounds of pork and beef valued at $300. Tickets are $10 each or five for $40. The drawing will be on Nov. 8. Proceeds will support travel scholarships for AGAS members. More
Spectators Welcome at the Cyclone Acres Sheepdog Trial
Iowa State is hosting the Cyclone Acres Sheepdog Trial from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 12-13 at the Sheep Teaching Farm in Ames. The sheep will be a PolyPay white face ewe flock from the teaching farm. The event is open to the public, where attendees can learn about the use of stock dogs in efficient livestock handling. The trial is sanctioned by the Iowa Stock Dog Handlers Association and the United States Border Collie Handlers Association. More
Extension and Outreach
High Tunnel Crops Featured During Educational Short Course
The Iowa High Tunnel Short course is Nov. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Reiman Gardens. The event will feature practical and economical aspects of high tunnel crop production along with recent research findings. Speakers include Ajay Nair, horticulture and extension vegetable production specialist, and Dan Fillius, vegetable field specialist, with ISU Extension and Outreach. Attendance is free, but registration is required. More
Registration Open for Integrated Crop Management Conference
The Integrated Crop Management Conference, set for Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, provides crop production professionals with information and research updates on the past growing season and the tools to prepare for 2023. ISU Extension and Outreach and CALS host the annual event, now in its 33rd year. More
Around the College
Sigma Xi Chapter Celebrates its Centennial
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation on Oct. 19 to recognize the centennial anniversary of the Iowa State University chapter of Sigma Xi, to be observed in the state from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3. Sigma Xi is the international honor society of science, technology and engineering. The Iowa State chapter was chartered on July 1, 1921, and installed on Oct. 27, 1922, becoming one of the first land-grant universities to have a chapter of Sigma Xi. Charles Stewart, office of biotechnology and member of the chapter's executive committee, spearheaded the proclamation success. Don Beitz, animal science and secretary/treasurer of the chapter, was named a Fellow of Sigma Xi in 2021. More
Animal Scientist Named IAFoST Fellow
Dong Uk Ahn, animal science, has been elected to the International Academy of Food Science and Technology. The 13th class of fellows will be inducted at the World Congress of Food Science and Technology, held Oct. 30-Nov. 3 in Singapore. More
Jack Trice 100-Year Commemoration Begins Nov. 4
The opening ceremony of the Jack Trice 100-Year Commemoration is Friday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. adjacent to the art installation, located on the north side of Jack Trice Stadium in Albaugh Family Plaza. The free public event will feature the dedication of Breaking Barriers, an interactive public art installation, the naming of Jack Trice Way, and a City of Ames proclamation for the Jack Trice 100-Year Commemoration. Jack Trice was Iowa State’s first Black athlete and a student in animal husbandry. Special guests include George Trice, cousin of Jack Trice, and other members of the Trice family. More
CALS Alumni, Friends to be Honored with 2022 Awards
The college and the ISU Alumni Association will present awards to several CALS alumni and friends at the 91st annual Honors and Awards Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 4, at 1:30 p.m. in Stephens Auditorium. The public ceremony will be followed by a dessert reception. Registration is not required to attend. More
- Floyd Andre Award – Robert Rust, professor emeritus of animal science.
- George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award – Christopher Nelson, president and CEO of Kemin Industries.
- Henry A. Wallace Award – Bill Northey, CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa.
- Outstanding Young Professional Award – Amanda (Taylor) De Jong, head of government affairs and policy engagement at Pivot Bio.
- ISUAA Outstanding Young Alumni Award – Martin Gross, president of Gross-Wen Technologies.
- ISUAA Alumni Medal Award – Mick and Judy Guttau, owners of TS Bank in Treynor, Iowa.
In Memoriam: Kenneth Stalder, Animal Science
Kenneth Stalder, animal science, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 24. He was 59. Stalder received his bachelor’s degree and doctorate degree from Iowa State in 1987 and 1995, respectively. He returned to Iowa State in 2003 as an extension swine specialist. Stalder developed and established a nationally and internationally recognized research program in applied swine breeding and genetics. He received the 2022 Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. A memorial service is being held today, Oct. 31, at 10:30 a.m. at the Grace Evangelical Free Church in Huxley. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to have memorials directed toward the Kenneth Stalder Swine Education Endowment, Animal Rescue League of Iowa or the St. Cecilia School Scholarship Assistance Fund.
Calendar
Oct. 31: Beal Distinguished Lecture in Rural Sociology
Michael Carolan will present the George M. Beal Distinguished Lecture in Rural Sociology today, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Campanile Room – “Not the Whole Picture: Reimagining Food Systems to Account for What We Don’t Know.” He is co-director of the Food Systems Institute for Research, Engagement and Learning and an engagement and extension food systems specialist at Colorado State University. More
Nov. 3: Fobes Ronald Lecture
Jennifer Cherrier will present the 2022 Fobes Ronald Lecture on Thursday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Cherrier, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Brooklyn College-The City University of New York and president and founder of Waterway Ecologics, LLC., will present “Cities and Storms: Challenges and Solutions.” More
Infograzing
Check Your Email for Benefits Survey
On Nov. 1, employees will receive an email from ISUbenefitssurvey@mercer.com with the subject line “Iowa State University Benefits Survey.” The email will include a personalized link, and employees are asked to complete the survey by Nov. 15. University Human Resources want to better understand which programs employees value most – and how those programs align with their aspiration to be a university that cultivates a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where students, faculty and staff flourish. More
Lecture: A Conversation about the 1619 Project
Nikole Hannah-Jones will present the 2022 Manatt-Phelps Lecture in Political Science on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at CY Stephens Auditorium. Hannah-Jones is a staff writer at The New York Times Magazine and the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the 1619 Project, an initiative that began in August 2019, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. Bag restrictions apply. Refer to the lecture announcement for details. More
Census of Agriculture to be Mailed Out in November
The Census of Agriculture, a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them, will be mailed out in November to agriculture producers across the 50 states and Puerto Rico. Collected since 1840, the Census of Agriculture is conducted every five years by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, telling the story and showing the value of U.S. agriculture. 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 Thursday.