CALS Online and Dean’s Message
Dec. 9, 2024
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS Colleagues – This week we have plenty going on as we approach the end of the semester… Next week, we culminate the semester with CALS Convocation (Dec. 20, 9 a.m., Hilton Coliseum), and the University Commencement ceremonies for graduate students (Dec. 20, 7 p.m., Hilton Coliseum) and undergraduate students (Dec. 21, 1:30 p.m., Hilton Coliseum)! The special guest speaker at CALS Convocation this semester will be Steve Mickelson, former chair of ABE and now Senior Policy Advisor to the Provost. There are, of course, lots more things going on in each of your units and departments, and together it all makes the college great…
Top Stories
CALS Students Part of Food Insecurity Challenge Award-Winning Teams
CALS students were part of the grand prize and third-place teams in the 2024 Food Insecurity Challenge hosted by CALS, the Ivy College of Business and the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. The event teaches students about food insecurity and challenges them to come up with innovative solutions. The grand prize of $5,000 went to Antonio Reyes Munoz (center above), senior in agricultural studies and international agriculture, Miguel Bojoquez (left), senior in finance, and Andrew Holtz (right), senior in finance, for their idea of “Cy’s Lockers.” The third-place team included Mallorie Mogler, senior in finance, Ellyse Shippee, junior in economics, Daniella Thuerauf, senior in global resource systems, and Grace Watkins-Schoenig, sophomore in global resource systems, for their idea “College Kitchens.” They were awarded $1,500.
Research
New Study Finds Conservation and Farmers’ Job Satisfaction Related
A new study has shed light on the factors that influence job satisfaction among farmers. Conducted by J. Arbuckle, sociology and criminal justice, and Lijing Gao, agricultural science communication at the University of Missouri, the study explores how economic dynamics, farm financial health, soil and water conservation, and climate change concerns impact farmers’ job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. “What’s Good for the Land is Good for the Farmer: Investigating Conservation-Related Variables as Predictors of Farmers’ Job Satisfaction,” was published in the June issue of Rural Sociology.
Teaching and Students
Science with Practice Poster Session Set for Dec. 11
This semester’s Science with Practice poster session open house is Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 2-4 p.m. in the Kildee Hall atrium. Science with Practice is a CALS experiential learning and work program for undergraduate students. All are invited to come talk to the students about their research.
Last Weekend for Forestry Club’s Christmas Tree Sale
The Forestry Club is finishing up its annual Christmas tree fundraiser at the Reiman Gardens parking lot. Trees will be for sale Dec. 13-14. Hours are Friday, 3-6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The club will have Korean fir, balsam fir, Canaan fir and white pine, as well as wreaths. Proceeds go toward club activities and student development.
Agronomy Club Accepting Popcorn Orders
The Agronomy Club is holding its annual holiday popcorn sale. Boxes sell for $10. Contact Tyler Atkinson (tyatkins@iastate.edu) or Aidan Bobholz (abobholz@iastate.edu) for an order form. Orders are due following winter break.
Extension and Outreach
Virtual Event Discusses Smart Agricultural Drainage
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University and Michigan State University, is hosting a free virtual field day on Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. Tile drainage is among the most important land use improvements for agriculture with systems installed in nearly 50% of Iowa’s cropland.
Cochran Fellowship Program Inspires Women Entrepreneurs from Serbia
Six women from Serbia were inspired to grow their businesses and generate support for women in agriculture though a two-week educational program offered by the Department of Economics and the Extension and Outreach Farm Management Team. Ebby Luvaga, economics, and Madeline Schultz, Extension to Agriculture, developed the Women in Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Food Production for Serbia course for the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service Cochran Fellowship Program.
Plan Now to Mitigate Insect Problems Next Summer
A new publication from the Iowa Pork Industry Center, Integrated Pest Management in Swine Production Facilities, focuses on management practices that can help producers mitigate insects. ISU Extension and Outreach swine veterinarian Chris Rademacher explains the importance of planning for these pests before they become a problem.
Around the College
Horton Receives SSSA Presidential Award
Robert Horton, agronomy, received the Soil Science Society of America Presidential Award at the Tri-Society Conference held in San Antonio, Texas, on Nov. 10-13.
Animal Scientists Receive National Awards
The following animal scientists received awards from national associations at their 2024 annual meetings:
- Lance Baumgard was named a fellow of the American Dairy Science Association.
- James Dickson received the Honorary Life Membership Award from the International Association for Food Protection.
- Stephanie Hansen received the Gary L. Cromwell Award for Minerals Nutrition from the American Society of Animal Science.
- Elisabeth Huff Lonergan was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for the section on agriculture, food and renewable resources.
- Elisabeth Huff Lonergan received the Corbin Award in Companion Animal Biology from the American Society of Animal Science.
- Jason Ross received the Extension Award from the American Society of Animal Science.
- Anna Wolc received the American Egg Board Research Award from the Poultry Science Association.
Students Invited to Take Part in “I Can” Poster Challenge
In celebration of Iowa’s George Washington Carver Day, all Iowa State students are invited to create a poster celebrating the lasting impact and innovative legacy—in science, discoveries, invention, art or education—of George Washington Carver. The competition draws inspiration from Carver’s favorite poem, “Equipment” by Edgar A. Guest, which reminds readers that all one needs is oneself to succeed.
Calendar
Dec. 11: INRC Water Research Seminar
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center’s final seminar in the fall 2024 water quality research series will focus on “Agricultural Phosphorus and Lake Erie.” Nathan Manning, research scientist with the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University, will present. The hybrid session will be held online and in-person Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 3:10 p.m. in 1306 Elings Hall.
Dec. 12: Crosspollinating Art and Science Exhibition
CALS is hosting an exhibition reception featuring original artwork created by CALS students that reflects a concept of crosspollination between art and science. The event is Thursday, Dec. 12, 4-6 p.m. on the first floor of the Student Innovation Center.
Dec. 20: CALS Convocation
CALS will hold its fall convocation on Dec. 20 at 9 a.m. in Hilton Coliseum. A live stream link is available for family and friends unable to attend in person.
Communications Kiosk
Avoid Using this Word Needlessly
Avoid using “of” needlessly after all, inside and outside. Never put of after off (we got off the bus). Also, use June 2024 rather than June of 2024. To improve your style, try removing every of-phrase that you reasonably can. (The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, pg. 344)
Infograzing
Barks at Parks Available during Prep Week
Students are invited to drop by the University Library's Upper Rotunda each afternoon between noon and 3 p.m. during Prep Week to destress by petting certified therapy dogs. The dogs return this semester today, Dec. 9, through Friday, Dec. 13.
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.