CALS Online and Dean’s Message
Aug. 19, 2024
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – I hope you enjoyed this beautiful weekend, and maybe some of you took in the final days of the great Iowa State Fair! I was there last Thursday for my annual rounds, visiting with organizations, friends, partners and alums of the college that all gather each year for this terrific tradition. We made it to the following, and at each stop had great conversations… Last week, I held a planning and thinking retreat with the college administration team, and this week will do the same with the CALS department chairs… More
Top Stories
CSRL Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods has released a feature film as part of its year-long 20th anniversary celebration. Watch “Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: 20 Years of the Iowa State University – Uganda Program” to hear its origin story, learn about its programming and see how the many contributions are making sustainable rural livelihoods a reality in Kamuli, Uganda. In the film, CSRL Director David Acker talks about harnessing the abilities of two public universities – Iowa State University and Makerere University in Uganda – to try to tackle some of the challenges. Program areas include community nutrition, education, agronomy and postharvest, livestock, entrepreneurship, and water, sanitation and hygiene. “Over the course of 20 years, CSRL has evolved into programming that touches every stage of the life cycle,” Acker said. “This multifaceted approach ensures that communities develop their own leadership and resiliency.” More events celebrating this longstanding program will be held in both Ames and Kamuli, Uganda, and will be announced throughout the year. “We like to think of this 20-year anniversary as not just a celebration of what we’ve done, but really a recommitment to what we’re going to do,” said Dan Robison, CALS dean. More
Teaching and Students
New Student BBQ Scheduled for Sept. 5
The CALS Student Council is hosting its annual new student barbecue on Sept. 5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Iowa Farm Bureau Pavilion in Kildee Hall. Attendees can explore all the student organizations offered through the college.
Extension and Outreach
Forestry Field Days Planned for Fall 2024
Multiple forestry programs are available to Iowans this fall, including three windbreak schools and four in-person field days. All events are being coordinated by Billy Beck, natural resource ecology and management and extension forestry specialist. More
Sept. 5: Southeast Farm Field Day
A fall field day at Iowa State’s Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Crawfordsville is Sept. 5 at 1:30 p.m. Topics include nitrogen management, corn rootworm and the weather outlook for this year’s harvest. More
Sept. 6: Spray Drone Field Day
To demonstrate the operating capabilities and characteristics of spray drones, specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach and the Digital Ag Innovation Laboratory have scheduled a Spray Drone Field Day in Havelock, Iowa, on Sept. 6 at 10:30 a.m. with lunch provided. Pre-registration by Sept. 3 is required and limited to 50 participants. More
Around the College
Seed Science Center Co-Hosts Event in Ethiopia
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service is partnering with Iowa State’s Seed Science Center to host a seminar and workshop today through Thursday, Aug. 19-22, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. "Seed Systems Development in East and West Africa" aims to advance food and nutrition security through the development of efficient, dynamic and sustainable integrated seed systems. More
Application Period Open for Jefferson Science Fellowships
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has released a call for applications for the 2025 Jefferson Science Fellowships. The fellowships serve as a model for engaging the American science, engineering and medical communities in the U.S. foreign policy and international development process through a one-year immersive experience at the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Agency for International Development. The fellowships are open to tenured, or similarly ranked, faculty from U.S. institutions of higher learning who are U.S. citizens. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 15. Max Rothschild, professor emeritus of animal science, was a Jefferson Science Fellow in 2011-2012. He is available to discuss his experiences and advise applicants and interested faculty. More
Calendar
Aug. 24: Bug Village ‘24
Iowa State’s Insect Zoo is presenting Bug Village ’24 on Saturday, Aug. 24, from noon to 3 p.m. at ATRB, 2213 Pammel Dr. More
Aug. 30: CALS Ice Cream Social
CALS faculty and staff are invited to an ice cream social on Aug. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the patio behind Curtiss Hall. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be held in Harl Commons.
Sept. 13: Ag 450 Farm Operations Facility Open House
An open house celebrating the newly renovated Ag 450 Farm operations building is Sept. 13 from 2-3 p.m. Take a tour of the space and discover how the farm is teaching the future generation of farmers. Brief remarks from Dean Dan Robison, donor Lonnie Miller, Mike Retallick and Skyler Rinker, agricultural education and studies, and students will be at 2:15 p.m. ISU Creamery ice cream and beverages will be available. RSVP’s are appreciated.
Dec. 5: Save the Date
A ribbon cutting and open house for the Digital Ag Innovation Center in the Iowa State University Research Park is Dec. 5 from 3-6 p.m.
Infograzing
Lecture Series Offers Opportunity to Engage Students
The Iowa State Lecture Series program is one way for faculty to engage their students outside the classroom, by offering extra credit to attend a lecture. All events are free and open to the public. New events are still being added to the fall schedule. More
Library Provides Free Access to Newspapers
A reminder to faculty and staff that the Iowa State Library provides free access to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, as well as select small-town newspapers. These publications also offer extensive archival access. More Vet Med
Students Have Visible Role at State Fair
Six fourth-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students worked at the 2024 Iowa State Fair to protect the health and safety of every animal. It’s among the numerous two-week rotations fourth-year students complete during their final year. More
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/cals-online
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.