CALS Online and Dean’s Message
Aug. 26, 2024
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – Here we go – fall semester ‘24! Please recall and put to use the various messages you’ve received about course protocols and policies from the university, and how to help your students take advantage of the department, college and university support structures designed for them. Most importantly – thank you for the support you give students in your own classrooms and labs! Our students are our purpose and the context in which we do all of our other work… More
Top Stories
Farm Progress Show Offers Valuable Face Time with Experts
Visitors to this year’s Farm Progress Show, Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 27-29, near Boone, can expect to see a wide variety of displays inside the Iowa State University exhibit, located on the corner of Seventh Street and Central Avenue. A miniature Iowa State football field showcasing turfgrass, vegetables growing on water and hand-held apps that can identify insects and weeds will all be a part of this year’s display. Eight content areas will be featured, including artificial intelligence, agricultural well-being, weather, horticulture, plant diseases, prairie strips, soil health and compaction. There will also be outdoor exhibits related to turfgrass, forestry and wildlife, as well as the Cyclone Power Pullers student club. The Farm Progress Show will be held at the Central Iowa Expo Center, located at 1827 217th Rd., Boone. Tickets can be purchased on the show website. More
Farm Progress Show: Interactive Prairie Strips Display
Specialists with the federally recognized Prairie STRIPS program will highlight the benefits of planting prairie at the Farm Program Show near Boone, Aug. 27-29. Prairie plants will be featured inside the exhibit booth, where visitors can wear headsets and listen to the sounds of nature – as recorded from actual prairie strips located in Iowa crop fields. There will also be an opportunity to taste the prairie, by sampling honey produced by bees from some of these same prairie strips. More
Farm Progress Show: Horticulture Display
The horticulture team with ISU Extension and Outreach will show how crops can be grown in greenhouses, on acreages, on lawns and on water (known as hydroponics), at the Farm Progress Show near Boone, Aug. 27-29. More
Farm Progress Show: Plant Disease Prediction Tools
Farmers can predict the types of disease pressure they will face using the National Predictive Modeling Tool Initiative. Specialists from ISU Extension and Outreach will explain the technology at this year's Farm Progress Show near Boone, Aug. 27-29. More
Farm Progress Show: Soil Organic Carbon Levels
Gain a better understanding of soil organic carbon – what it is, why it matters and how it is measured – at the organic soil carbon display inside Iowa State’s exhibit at the Farm Progress Show near Boone, Aug. 27-29. More
Farm Progress Show: Insect and Weed ID Apps
Aside from the weather, few things can decimate a crop like insects and weeds. Fortunately, the options to identify and treat both are becoming increasingly tech-savvy and efficient. Insect and Weed ID apps, two of the latest gadgets that can help with this issue, will be displayed at this year’s Farm Progress Show near Boone, Aug. 27-29. More
Farm Progress Show: Use a Rain Gauge More Effectively
To get an “accurate” measurement of precipitation, Madelynn Wuestenberg, agricultural climatology specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will explain the best practices for selecting and using a rain gauge at this year’s Farm Progress Show near Boone, Aug. 27-29. More
Research
Kerns and Brumm Developing AI Tutor to Help Students Find Success
Karl Kerns, animal science, and Tom Brumm, agricultural and biosystems engineering, with assistance from graduate students, are developing an AI tutor – a computerized personal assistant that can go over lessons, tailor study sessions based on students’ needs and quiz students on what they have learned in class. They hope the program will improve students’ learning outcomes in their animal science and engineering classes. Kerns and Brumm received a $50,000 Miller Fellowship grant to support the project. 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 a variety of student organizations offered through the college.
CALS Study Abroad Team Recruiting for 2024-25 Programs
The CALS Study Abroad team is starting their recruitment for winter break, spring and summer travel programs with the release of the 2024-2025 CALS Study Abroad Guide. Email calsstudyabroad@iastate.edu for more information on specific programs or request a presentation to learn more about international opportunities in CALS.
Extension and Outreach
Freeman Offers Safety Advice for Using ATVs and UTVs
Many farmers and ranchers are owners of various ATVs and UTVs. While these machines are efficient and practical, remembering all safety precautions while riding is important. Steven Freeman, agricultural and biosystems engineering, offers some basic safety advice. More
Celebrate Food, Community and Sustainability at ISU Local Food Festival
The annual ISU Local Food Festival is Sept. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on central campus, between Curtiss Hall and Beardshear Hall. The event offers the Iowa State community an opportunity to source local products and meet the producers; engage around topics such as local food systems, health, wellness and sustainability; and learn about the initiatives of various organizations and departments. Booths will offer a variety of samples, products for purchase, informational flyers and giveaways. More
Around the College
Open House Scheduled for CALS Innovation Inspiration Artwork
A CALS Innovation Inspiration Artwork open house is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 5, from 3-5 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Student Innovation Center (part of the EXCITE! Open House). Associate Dean for Academic Innovation Carmen Bain and others will share the story about the artwork created by artist Reinaldo Correa and students from CALS and the College of Design. It is a come-and-go event. Light refreshments will be available.
CALS Online: Next Issue Sept. 9
CALS Online will not be published on Sept. 2, Labor Day. The newsletter will resume Monday, Sept. 9.
Calendar
Aug. 28: Sustainable Agriculture Colloquium Series
The first Sustainable Agriculture Colloquium of the fall semester is Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 3:30 p.m. in 0013 Curtiss Hall. The session will feature a brief introduction to the colloquium and an update on the Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture, presented by Clark Wolf, philosophy and religious studies and GPSA chair, and Kurt Rosentrater, agricultural and biosystems engineering and GPSA instructor. More
Aug. 30: CALS Ice Cream Social
CALS faculty and staff are invited to an ice cream social on Friday, 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.
Communications Kiosk
Using a Comma with Introductory Phrases and Clauses
The comma is an essential tool for effective communication. Commas can be necessary, incorrect or optional. It is necessary to use a comma after a long introductory phrase or clause.
Phrase: After years of intensive research for her dissertation, Amy Vuong received her PhD. Clause: Although theorists of comedy tend to agree that there is no universal sense of humor, they note that what most forms of comedy have in common is a sense of incongruity.
With short introductory phrases and clauses, a comma is optional. If a comma is used, do so consistently throughout the work.
With comma: By 2010, smartphone use was widespread. In the fall, students attend convocation. Without comma: By 2010 smartphone use was widespread. In the fall students attend convocation.
(Modern Language Association Handbook, 9th edition, pgs. 18, 23)
Infograzing
Students Encouraged to Attend WelcomeFest
WelcomeFest is Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Durham Great Hall. It attracts thousands of students and more than 100 businesses and departments. The event gives vendors the opportunity to welcome students to the community and promote their products, services and employment opportunities. More
Study Abroad Fair Scheduled for Second Week of Classes
The fall 2024 Study Abroad Fair is Thursday, Sept. 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. In addition to learning about upcoming programs being offered and financial assistance, students can apply for a U.S. passport at the fair. More
ClubFest Provides Students an Opportunity to Get Involved
ClubFest is Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Union. Each semester, students can browse through many clubs and organizations at Iowa State and discover how to get involved on campus. More
Registration Open for Iowa Biosciences Showcase
The Iowa Biosciences Showcase is Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Iowa State University Research Park. The showcase focuses on project ideas and early-stage companies in agriculture, vaccines, diagnostics, immunotherapeutics and biobased products. Events highlights include a pitch opportunity, networking and CEO search. More
Reminder to Employees on Guidelines for Political Advocacy
As a state institution, Iowa State University is required to remain politically neutral. As citizens, Iowa State employees have full rights to engage in the political process on their own behalf while observing key points. Employees are free to express their political opinions and participate in political activities on their own time, using their own resources. Political topics may be discussed in the classroom as long as they are germane to the course curriculum. Faculty and instructors should take care to foster a learning environment where all students feel free to express their views in an appropriate manner. Additional guidelines and policies are available on the Federal and State Relations webpage.
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.