CALS Online and Dean’s Message
October 30, 2023
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS Colleagues – Tonight (Oct. 30) at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union’s Sun Room will be a very excellent lecture by Shannon Monnat from Syracuse University on "Population Health in Rural America: Contemporary Trends, Causes, and Complexities." This is the annual George M. Beal Distinguished Lectureship in Rural Sociology, co-sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. In CALS, we spend a lot of time thinking about the vitality of rural communities and how the various industries and occupations we serve are tied-up in this topic. This lecture is a great chance to learn more about the people we care so deeply about and some of the casual factors that challenge those we serve. Please come out and engage…
Top Stories
FAO Director General Visits Campus
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Director General Qu Dongyu visited CALS last week while he was in Iowa for the World Food Prize events. Associate Dean David Acker, who met Dongyu several years ago, invited him and his associates to campus. While here, members of the FAO delegation met with several CALS administration, faculty and staff, as well as students involved in the Dean’s Global Agriculture and Food Leadership Program. They toured the Seed Science Center and enjoyed lunch with agronomy faculty members. Their time at Iowa State concluded with a visit with President Wendy Wintersteen.
Teaching and Students
Snow Blower Service Days Scheduled for Nov. 10-11
The Agricultural Systems Technology Club will hold its annual snow blower service days Nov. 10 (1-6 p.m.), and Nov. 11 (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), at Sukup Hall. The $25 cost includes an oil change, a new spark plug and a power wash. Pickup and delivery (Ames zip code only) is available for an additional $25; send an email request to astservicedays@gmail.com.
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.
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 Wednesday, Nov. 1.
Block and Bridle Summer Sausage and Cheese Sale Extended
The deadline to submit orders for the Block and Bridle Club’s summer sausage and cheese sale has been extended to Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 11:59 p.m. 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
Farm Poll Examines Farmers’ Use and Opinions of Precision Agriculture
To better understand farmers’ use and opinions of precision agriculture, the 2022 Iowa Farm Poll asked questions about specific types of precision ag. The report, authored by J. Arbuckle and Katie Dentzman, sociology and criminal justice, and graduate student Joe Hollis, examines farmers’ use of precision agriculture, their views on potential benefits, as well as their concerns about potential downsides.
Registration is Open for Women in Ag Leadership Conference
ISU Extension and Outreach is hosting the seventh annual Women in Ag Leadership Conference on Nov. 29-30 in Ames. The conference theme, “Cultivating Confidence, Harvesting Happiness,” reflects the dedication of women to the agricultural industry.
Entrepreneurship Study Focuses on Immigrant Hispanic Women
Samuel Mindes, a rural sociologist with ISU Extension and Outreach, provides insight into the business challenges faced by immigrant Hispanic women in Iowa in an article published in the Journal of Small Business Management.
Extension Updates Corn and Soybean Field Guide
A new pocket-size guide that explains integrated pest management information is now available for corn and soybean growers, agronomists and crop scouts. The “Corn and Soybean Field Guide” was published by ISU Extension and Outreach in August 2023, and is an updated version of a similar guide published in 2016.
Around the College
College Announces Candidates for Chair of Horticulture
The second candidate 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” on Nov. 6 from 9-10 a.m. in 3022 Agronomy Hall. The candidate’s name will be announced a week before their interview. The seminars will be recorded and made available online, along with their application materials and an electronic feedback survey.
CALS Alumni, Friends Honored with 2023 Awards
The college and the ISU Alumni Association will present awards to CALS alumni and friends at the annual Honors and Awards Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 3, at 1:30 p.m. in Stephens Auditorium. The public ceremony will be followed by a dessert reception.
- Floyd Andre Award – Mike Peterson, president and owner of Peterson Genetics.
- George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award – Gerald and Karen Kolschowsky, retired chairman and CEO of OSI Industries.
- Henry A. Wallace Award – Pat McGonegle, CEO of Iowa Pork Producers.
- Outstanding Young Professional Award – Bradley (BJ) Brugman, founder and CEO, Distynct.
- ISUAA James A. Hopson Volunteer Award – Heather Duncan, team lead, Grants Management Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region 7).
CALS Award Nominations Due Nov. 21
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recognizes the excellence and dedication of its faculty and staff through the conferring of college awards. Visit the redesigned website for award descriptions and nomination guidelines. Nominations are due to the college by Nov. 21 through the online submission portal.
In Memoriam: Steven Padgitt
Steven Padgitt, emeritus professor of rural sociology, died on Oct. 27. He was 80. Padgitt (’65 ag journalism, ’71 PhD rural sociology) joined Iowa State’s faculty in 1982 and served in a number of roles, including director of Iowa State’s Extension to Communities programs. Padgitt was also a well-known volunteer at Food at First (see the “Gleaning Food Waste to Curb Hunger” article from STORIES Magazine). A memorial service is Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Congregational Church in Ames. Memorial contributions can be made to Food at First.
Calendar
Oct. 30: Beal Lecture in Rural Sociology
The George M. Beal Distinguished Lectureship in Rural Sociology is today, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Shannon Monnat, Syracuse University, will present “Population Health in Rural America: Contemporary Trends, Causes and Complexities.” The Beal lecture is co-sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.
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. 2: RSVP’s Due for 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.
Nov. 6: Lecture on Methane Reduction
Marcelo Mena-Carrasco, Global Methane Hub, will present “Methane Reduction: The Fastest Way to Reduce Global Warming” on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Mena-Carrasco’s lecture is part of the Anaerobic Digestion on the Farm conference, hosted at Iowa State Nov. 6-8.
Infograzing
October is Disability Awareness Month
October is Disability Awareness Month, and University Human Resources encourages Iowa State employees to access Workday Learning courses related to disability awareness. Employees may request a disability accommodation at any time during the course of employment. The HR Portal also has a sign language interpreter request form.
Lecture: Glaciers in a Warming World
University Museums is hosting a lecture by Neal Iverson, geological and atmospheric sciences, on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 2-3 p.m. in the Brunnier Art Museum, Scheman Building. Iverson will present “Glaciers in a Warming World: Examples from Today and Iowa’s Glacial Past.” The lecture is in conjunction with Future Unfolding, on exhibition in the Brunnier Art Museum through Dec. 17.
Former College Students Honored in Gold Star Hall Ceremony
Three former Iowa State students will be recognized for their military service, and their ultimate sacrifice, at the annual Gold Star Hall ceremony on Nov. 6 at 4:15 p.m. in the Memorial Union Durham Great Hall.
Marginalia
Insect Film Fest Scheduled for Thursday
An Insect Film Fest is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. in the Reiman Gardens main building. The Entomology Graduate Student Organization is hosting the night of insect-themed crafts and educational videos with live animals and displays by the ISU Insect Zoo. The event is free and open to all ages.
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.