CALS Online and Dean’s Message
October 23, 2023
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – I hope you had a great weekend. This week we have the opportunity to enjoy and learn from the World Food Prize events in Des Moines, and at the annual Norman Borlaug Lecture, presented by the World Food Prize Laureate, Heidi Kühn, in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union tonight, Oct. 23, at 8 p.m… Kühn will discuss her humanitarian efforts to turn land haunted by the specter of war and violence into productive agricultural land… This week is also the annual Egg Industry Forum in Indianapolis. This is the key scientific and professional meeting put on each year by the Egg Industry Center that has a North American overlay…
Top Stories
2023 World Food Prize Focuses on Harnessing Change
The 2023 World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, taking place Oct. 24-26 in Des Moines and virtually, will focus on Harnessing Change. 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: Norman Borlaug Lecture, Oct. 23
The 2023 World Food Prize Laureate, Heidi Kühn, will deliver the Norman Borlaug lecture tonight, Oct. 23, at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Kühn is the founder and CEO of Roots of Peace, a humanitarian nonprofit organization that replaces landmines with sustainable agricultural farmland. She will present “Removing Landmines, Supporting Farmers: Cultivating Peace Through Agriculture.”
World Food Prize: Borlaug Poster Competition, Oct. 23
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the Nutritional Sciences Council present the 20th Annual Norman Borlaug Lectureship Poster Competition for Graduate and Undergraduate Students today, Oct. 23, in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Poster set-up and judging will take place from 5-7:45 p.m. Posters will be displayed during a reception from 7-8 p.m. The Norman Borlaug Lecture featuring 2023 World Food Prize Laureate Heidi Kühn begins at 8 p.m.
World Food Prize: Scientific Exchange Program Fellows, Oct. 23-24
Curt Youngs, animal science, is holding a program for USDA Foreign Agriculture Service Scientific Exchange Program Fellows today, Oct. 23, and tomorrow morning, Oct. 24. The program will address climate smart agriculture and sanitary and phytosanitary policy framework for Africa. There will be 48 SEP fellows attending from 19 different countries.
World Food Prize: Innovation Ecosystem, Oct. 25
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 1:45 p.m., “Power and Promise of Science- and Technology-Driven Innovation Helping Global Food Security and Sustainable Food Systems” will be discussed. Presenters include Nadilia Gomez, chief technical officer for Precision and Digital Agriculture at Iowa State, and Asheesh (Danny) Singh, agronomy.
World Food Prize: Sustainable Livestock Production, Oct. 25
CALS is hosting a side event on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. on “Sustainable Livestock Production for Global Food Security.” The event will focus on the need for a balanced approach to food production systems that integrate both animal- and plant-based foods. Curt Youngs, animal science, is the moderator.
Research
Study Offers Insights on Adoption of 4R Plus Nutrient Management Practices
A study of Iowa farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices offers insights into social, economic and ecological influences on adoption that operate at both an individual level and within a larger, county-level context. A recent article in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation reported findings of the research by J. Arbuckle, sociology, Lisa Schulte Moore, natural resource ecology and management, and Suraj Upadhaya, former Iowa State research scientist now at Kentucky State University.
FFAR Highlights CALS ‘Breakthrough’ to Accelerate Crop Breeding
Doubled haploid research by Thomas Lübberstedt and Siddique Aboobucker, agronomy, was featured by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research in a “Breakthrough” web story that includes a video with Aboobucker created by Daniel Ossian. Support for the $1.5 million project came primarily from FFAR and its industry partners.
ACTION Grant Funds Project to Increase Use of Conservation Practices
A project led by Tom Isenhart, natural resource ecology and management, has received one of three national Achieving Conservation through Targeting Information, Outreach and Networking program grants totaling more than $480,000 from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research to increase farmers’ use of conservation practices, in particular in-field, edge-of-field and edge-of-stream practices. Project partners include the Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Partnership and the Agriculture Drainage Management Coalition.
Teaching and Students
Register to Participate in Food Insecurity Challenge
The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with CALS and the Ivy College of Business, presents the second annual Food Insecurity Challenge. This challenge invites students and local community members from diverse disciplines to form teams and create innovative solutions to this global issue. The kick-off event is Nov. 6 from 5-8 p.m. in the Student Innovation Center Launch Pad.
New Collaboration Will Recruit More Large Animal Vets
A new joint program between the College of Veterinary Medicine and the CALS Department of Animal Science is geared toward educating more veterinarians who wish to practice production animal medicine. The program, Production Animal – Veterinary Early Acceptance Program (PA-VEAP), will recruit and retain future veterinarians to practice production animal medicine, primarily in underserved areas in Iowa and throughout the United States. PA-VEAP is an undergraduate program for students majoring in animal science or dairy science at Iowa State. Students must also be pursuing completion of an undergraduate certificate in beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry or swine production management.
Nominations for Senior Awards Due Nov. 1
The CALS Student Council is seeking nominations for fall 2023 senior awards. Every fall and spring semester, CALS Council recognizes graduating seniors through six different awards: outstanding senior, leadership and innovation, academic achievement, distinguished service, outstanding ambassador of agriculture and life sciences, and inclusive excellence. Nominations are due Nov. 1.
Spectators Welcome at the Cyclone Acres Sheep Dog Trial
Iowa State is hosting the Cyclone Acres Sheep Dog Trial on Nov. 11-12, using the PolyPay flock at the Sheep Teaching Farm in Ames. The event is open to the public, where attendees can learn about the use of stock dogs in efficient and safe livestock handling. The trial is sanctioned by the Show Me Stock Dog League and the United States Border Collie Handler’s Association.
Culinary Science Club Holding Sushi Workshop
The Culinary Science Club is holding a sushi workshop on Nov. 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Culinary Discovery Lab, 2379 Food Sciences Building. Participants will learn how to make fresh sushi rolls with rice and vegetables. The event is open to the public with limited seating. Registration is $30 per person.
Block and Bridle Summer Sausage and Cheese Orders due Oct. 27
The Block and Bridle Club is holding its 47th annual summer sausage and cheese sale. Orders close on Oct. 27. Orders will be available for pick-up on Nov. 7-9 or will be shipped the week of Nov. 13. Profits from the fundraiser help fund more than 30 events put on by the club each year and fund interest group industry tours.
Extension and Outreach
Registration Open for Iowa Organic Conference
Iowa State’s 21st Annual Organic Conference is Nov. 26-27 at the University of Iowa Memorial Union. Keynote speaker Jenny Tucker, deputy administrator of the National Organic Program, will discuss new organic initiatives and the NOP’s Strengthening Organic Enforcement to ensure organic integrity.
Around the College
Youngs Celebrated for Efforts to Boost Ethiopian Milk Production
A research facility in Ethiopia now bears the name of Curtis Youngs, recognizing the Iowa State animal science professor’s contributions to ongoing programs to enhance dairy cattle genetics in the region. The overarching aim is to increase food security in Africa’s top livestock-producing nation by boosting milk production.
College Announces Candidates for Chair of Horticulture
Two candidates for chair of the Department of Horticulture will provide a public seminar on their “Vision for the Future of Horticulture at ISU as a Land-grant University.” Each candidate’s name will be announced a week before their interview. Both seminars will take place from 9-10 a.m. in 3022 Agronomy Hall. The seminars will be recorded and made available online. Each candidate’s application materials will be available online once their names are announced, along with an electronic feedback survey.
- Candidate #1 – Monday, Oct. 30, 9 to 10 a.m. - Ajay Nair
- Candidate #2 – Monday, Nov. 6, 9 to 10 a.m.
Iowa State, Alliant Energy Dedicate Solar Farm
Iowa State and Alliant Energy celebrated the completion of construction on the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University south of Ames on Oct. 19. The new solar farm was designed with agriculture research, education and extension activities in mind and will contribute to the university's long-term sustainability goals and the company's transition to renewable energy.
Dobbels Receives Honors Program Award
Nathan Dobbels, agricultural education and studies, received the W. Robert Parks Honors Commendation from the University Honors Program. Honors students nominated Dobbels in appreciation of his dedication to the program.
Sorghum Harvest Made Easier due to Hatch Grant
The team at Iowa State’s Sustainable Advanced Bioeconomy Research Farm recently harvested and hauled 400 tons of sorghum. Harvest was completed quicker and more efficiently due to the help of some new equipment. Nic Boersma, along with co-authors Andy VanLoocke, Marshall McDaniel and Brian Hornbuckle, agronomy, wrote a proposal for the ISU Strategic Seed Grants for Facilities and Equipment call for spending Hatch funds.
Town Hall Recording Available Online
Dean Robison held a town hall meeting on Oct. 17. A recording of the meeting is now available online.
Calendar
Oct. 25: CALS Staff Awards Coffee Talk
The CALS Staff Council is hosting a Coffee Talk on revised staff awards on Oct. 25, from 2-3 p.m. in 142 Curtiss Hall. Ruth MacDonald, CALS associate dean for personnel and finance, Nate Dobbels, CALS Staff Council president, and Julie Stewart, CALS Faculty and Staff awards coordinator, will present information and answer questions from attendees. Registration is not required and refreshments will be served.
Oct. 26: Errington Memorial Lecture
The annual Paul L. Errington Memorial Lecture is Thursday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Amanda Rodewald, Cornell University, will present “City Bird, Country Bird: How Human Activity Affects Predator-Prey Interactions.” Co-sponsors include natural resource ecology and management; ecology, evolution and organismal biology; agronomy; CALS; and the Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.
Oct. 31: CALS Staff Ice Cream Social
The CALS Staff Council is hosting an ice cream social on Oct. 31 from 3-4 p.m. in Curtiss Hall’s Harl Commons. Both dairy and non-dairy ice cream will be available. Costumes are strongly encouraged. During the event, there will be drawings for prizes donated by the Iowa State University Book Store.
Nov. 16: Regenerative Agriculture Workshop
The Bioeconomy Institute and the Office of the Vice President for Research are hosting an interdisciplinary workshop focused on expanding regenerative agriculture in Iowa through research and development. The workshop is Nov. 16 from 2:30-5 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Attendees should RSVP by Nov. 2 through Qualtrics. Proposals for lightning talks can be submitted at the same time.
Communications Kiosk
Three Points to Using ‘Personally’
First, use this word only when someone does something that would normally be done through an agent (the president personally signed this invitation) or to limit other considerations (Jean was affected by the decision but was not personally involved in it). Second, personally is redundant when it modifies a verb that necessarily requires the person’s presence (the senator personally shook hands with the constituents). Third, personally shouldn’t appear with “I” when one is stating an opinion; it weakens the statement and doesn’t reduce the speaker’s liability for the opinion. The only exception arises if a person is required to advance someone else’s view but holds a different personal opinion (in the chamber I voted to lower taxes because of the constituencies I represent; but I personally believed that taxes should have been increased). (The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, pg. 346)
Infograzing
Combining Math and Entomology to Predict, Mitigate Soybean Aphid Outbreaks
Iowa State researchers led by Rana Parshad, mathematics, are developing mathematical models to simulate soybean aphid population dynamics over a growing season with a wide array of stressors, including droughts and floods. In 2022, Parshad and Matthew O’Neal, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, published a paper exploring the dynamics between virulent soybean aphids and “avirulent” aphids, which are not resistant to new soybean varieties.
Alleviating Food Insecurity at the SHOP
The student-led SHOP food pantry provides a critical service on the Iowa State campus, and demand is growing for its services. University support for the pantry has expanded along with the demand. SHOP volunteers also are battling the stigma often associated with food insecurity.
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.