CALS Online and Dean’s Message
June 19, 2023
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – I hope your summer work and vacations are all going very well. Our students are out and about, including those on our many study abroad and Study USA trips, from Greece to Uganda to Montana and beyond. When they get back, don’t forget to ask them about their experiences! The same for those working over the summer – back home or for companies, agencies and non-governmental organizations here, there and everywhere… More
Top Stories
Researcher Aims to Increase Food Safety through Poultry Gut Health
Melha Mellata, food science and human nutrition, is on a mission to develop new treatments and procedures to improve poultry health and mitigate bacterial infections, such as salmonella, in poultry and humans. She emphasizes the United States has one of the safest food supplies in the world. But with certain bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, it’s getting harder and more expensive to battle bacterial infections. Mellata has been awarded a $635,000 competitive grant from the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture’s Animal Health program to support this research for the next four years. But generating strong data to support a proposal like this has taken years and many attempts in the search for significant funding. More (Second in a series highlighting CALS researchers and their journey to receive funding. Read the first article on Joshua Selsby, animal science.)
Research
Howe Studies Interaction between Microbes and Crops
Adina Howe, agricultural and biosystems engineering, conducts her research on a micro scale – to have a macro impact. Howe, along with Andy Vanloocke and Marshall McDaniel, agronomy, are working with the Department of Energy Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation to find the connection between microbes and how they can help sustainably grow bioenergy crops. Iowa State is one of 16 partner institutions participating in the project. More
Teaching and Students
Connection is Key for Academic Advisors
Ben Chamberlain, academic advisor for agricultural education and studies, and Katy Heineman, student services specialist in CALS, work with students during the recruitment and orientation process to lay the foundation for a supportive four-year partnership. More
Advisors Provide Classroom Visits to Campus Facilities
Research and industry work go hand in hand in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. That’s why the department hosts several tours for students throughout the year. Most recently, advisors Lindsay Frueh and Ben McCarty introduced ABE 110 to the new Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex with a classroom visit in April. More
CALS Students Serve as Borlaug-Ruan Interns
The World Food Prize Foundation has placed three CALS students at international locations as part of their summer Borlaug-Ruan International Intern program - Saumya Balaji, sophomore in environmental science (India); Haylie Moore, senior in global resource systems (Costa Rica); and Arilyn Tegtmeier-Oatman, senior in global resource systems (Kenya). More
Student Team Brings Business to Life with Entrepreneurial Support at Iowa State
Cam Schafer, senior in animal ecology, and Cole Reiman, a 2021 graduate in agricultural and life sciences education, co-founded Spock’s Sanctuary, a home for exotic rescues and boarders. The pair has also launched NutriCubes, a line of food specially designed for exotic pets. While a veiled chameleon was the inspiration for Spock’s Sanctuary, the student team couldn’t have brought their business to life without the entrepreneurial support at Iowa State. More
Extension and Outreach
Extension Launches New Podcast – Talkin’ Crap
The Iowa Manure Management Action Group has launched a new podcast, Talkin’ Crap. Join Dan Andersen, ISU Extension and Outreach manure management specialist, each month to discuss the science, technology and best management practices surrounding manure management. More
Factsheets Detail Agritourism in the United States
The Agricultural Marketing Resource Center located at Iowa State provided partial funding for a project to develop state and national factsheets related to agritourism in the United States. Based on 2017 Agricultural Census data, the fact sheets provide insight into the demographics of farms that offer agritourism and direct sales services in each state. More
Around the College
Interview Set for Iowa Pork Industry Center Director
Laura Greiner, animal science, will present a public seminar on her vision for the Iowa Pork Industry Center followed by an open forum on June 30 at 1 p.m. – accessible in person or via Zoom. Attend in person in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall, or join online.
CALS Communicators Receive National Awards from ACE
CALS communication efforts were honored during the Association for Communication Excellence annual conference in Asheville, North Carolina, on June 11-13.
- Lesa Vold, Egg Industry Center – ACE Rising Star Award
- Whitney Baxter, CALS Communications – Silver Award, writing for the web.
- Ann Robinson, CALS Communications – Silver Award, news release.
Animal Science Hosts First Animal Nutrition Showcase
The Department of Animal Science held a showcase on animal nutrition for animal feed industry professionals on May 19. This event was hosted by the animal nutrition group and included an exclusive tour of the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex, as well as opportunities to engage with graduate and undergraduate students and reconnect with former colleagues. More
Calendar
June 21: Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinar
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, June 21, at noon will feature Jenn Ripp, agroforestry educator with the Savanna Institute. She will highlight the benefits of well planned and executed forestry initiatives that complement agricultural goals. More
Infograzing
Get to Know the 2023 Laureate
The World Food Prize Foundation is premiering a Live with the Laureate program virtually on June 27 at noon. Heidi Kühn, who will receive the 2023 World Food Prize for her farmer-focused development model that revitalizes farmland, food security and livelihoods after devastating conflict, will be interviewed by TV journalist Cheryl Jennings. Participation is free, but registration is required. More
North Central Region Conference to Address Climate and Water Issues
The North Central Region Water Network, the First American Land-Grant Consortium and partners from across the North Central region are hosting a workshop for 1862, 1890 and 1994 land-grant colleagues working on climate and water-related issues. The workshop is Oct. 12-13 in Denver, Colorado. 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.