CALS Online and Dean’s Message
June 16, 2025
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – Last week, I was busy with all kinds of things, from board, committee and event meetings I attended… to those with regrets I had to miss (given Story County jury service) but thought about, and in some cases, weighed-in by email… These are each excellent ways to learn about the pulse of the sectors that we support and that support us, keep the social license we operate with vibrant, and make and sustain networks and partnerships that enable all of our missions… Of note, we are hosting in Ames the annual Mini Land-Grant Conference June 16-18, which will be attended by faculty, staff, administrators, CARET representatives and others who support the land-grant mission in the North Central Region…
Top Stories
ISU Creamery Experiences ‘Sweet Success’
The Iowa State University Creamery holds a long tradition of success that dates to the late 1880s. This year (2025) marks the fifth anniversary of the Creamery's re-establishment after a 50-year hiatus. Educating and engaging students in experiential learning is just one aspect of the Creamery’s mission. The establishment also seeks to provide extension services to dairy farmers and entrepreneurs and increase consumers’ love for dairy. The Creamery offers a variety of products, including 25 flavors of ice cream. Cheese is another popular item. Cheddar cheese is offered year-round, while pepper jack is offered in the fall and colby jack in the spring. In March 2025, the ISU Creamery was awarded a Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant to expand their cheese and ice cream processing. This grant has allowed the Creamery to purchase a new pasteurizer, which will arrive in August, to increase production volume.
Research
Study Examines Impacts of Collective Trauma on Iowa Farmers
A study conducted by Chris Morris and J. Arbuckle, sociology and criminal justice, investigates the psychological and social impacts of potentially traumatic experiences on Iowa farmers. Collective trauma refers to psychological effects that are experienced by a group of people in response to shared traumatic conditions. While previous research has examined aspects of individual farmer stress, this study is the first to specifically examine trauma among farmers and the effects it can have on their families and communities.
Teaching and Students
Students Contribute to FAO Global Food Safety Communications
Students from the 2025 Dean’s Global Agriculture and Food Leadership Program completed an intensive four-week hands-on learning experience at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations headquarters in Rome. Hosted by FAO’s Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, this year’s student project culminated in the creation of a series of short, evidence-based messages designed to effectively communicate about key health issues to farmers, veterinary drug industries and the general public, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This year's program was led by Carmen Bain, associate dean for academic innovation, Shelley Taylor, Office for Global Engagement, and Shawn Dorius, Dean's Faculty Fellow in the CALS Office of Research and Discovery.
Extension and Outreach
Armstrong Farm to Hold Annual Summer Field Day
The annual summer field day at Iowa State’s Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm in Lewis is June 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Specialists from ISU Extension and Outreach and other partner organizations will speak on a variety of current crop and soil health practices in agriculture, with a focus on management strategies to build resilience and increase farm profitability.
Northern Research Farm to Celebrate New Facility, Anniversary
Iowa State’s Northern Research and Demonstration Farm at Kanawha is holding an open house on June 26 from 4-7 p.m. to recognize a new research and extension facility and celebrate its 95th anniversary. The research farm was established in 1930 and is the oldest in the state. The open house is free to attend; however, farm staff ask that attendees RSVP so they can plan appropriately for providing a meal to all.
Solar Farm to Hold Open Houses from June to September
Iowa State is holding a series of open house events at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm near Ames. Participants will tour the farm and learn about agrivoltaics — the integration of solar energy and agriculture. Each session will share insight on the farm’s construction and explore research conducted at the farm. Six open houses are scheduled June through September, with the first scheduled for June 27. The events are open to anyone, from curious community members to experienced producers and landowners considering solar leasing opportunities. This opportunity is available at no cost to participants, but pre-registration is required online to attend.
Around the College
Change in Leadership for CALS Career Services Office
Christen Burgett, associate teaching professor in the Department of Animal Science, has been named the CALS Career Services interim director, under the direction of CALS Associate Dean for Academic Innovation Carmen Bain. With assistance from Carah Mabry, program specialist with CALS administration, and Paige Zhorne, student services coordinator in the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies, Burgett will lead efforts to plan and coordinate the annual CALS Career Day, set for Oct. 14. Mike Gaul served as director of CALS Career Services since 1998, and Lois Benning joined as the career services coordinator in 2001. Gaul retired on June 12, and Benning retired June 2.
AATF and Iowa State University Sign MOU
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation and Iowa State University signed a memorandum of cooperation and understanding earlier this year. The MOU seeks to establish a program of academic exchange, cooperation and collaboration to promote interest in teaching, research and technology deployment activities among the two institutions. This includes the area of quality seed production and technology stewardship.
STORIES Magazine Coming in August 2025
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is bringing back STORIES, the college-wide alum magazine. It is set to hit mailboxes in August. While readers will notice much of the same content they’ve come to love, some fun, new additions will be added. Follow #CALSstories on social media for the latest updates and opt-in to receive the print or digital version of the magazine.
Calendar
June 24: Agricultural Innovation in New Artwork
In the newly installed work of public art “Hive Mind,” artist Beth Lipman drew inspiration from multiple Iowa State departments for examples of historical innovation to represent in glass. On June 24 at 5:30 p.m., join Thomas Lübberstedt, agronomy, for a tour focusing on areas of innovation. The tour will begin at the Anderson Sculpture Garden and then move to Agronomy Hall.
June 26: Robert Horton Retirement Reception
A retirement reception for Robert Horton, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in agronomy, is June 26 at 3 p.m. in the Agronomy Commons (program at 3:30 p.m.). Well wishes may also be posted to Horton’s kudo board.
June 30: Charles Hurburgh Retiring
Charles Hurburgh, professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering, is retiring June 30 (no public event).
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Communications Kiosk
Partly vs. Partially
Both words convey the sense “to some extent; in part” (partly responsible). Partly is preferred in that sense. But partially has the additional senses of “incompletely” (partially cooked) and “unfairly; in a way that shows bias toward one side” (he treats his friends partially). (The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, pg. 345)
Infograzing
Pollinator Fest is June 21 at Reiman Gardens
Celebrate National Pollinator Week -- an annual celebration in support of pollinator health -- with activities and displays at Reiman Gardens and enjoy Pollinator Fest on Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Garden admission fees apply ($12 general admission, $6 youth ages 2-12 years, free for members and Iowa State students).
Marginalia
Puppy Cam Features Denali Sled Dog Kennels’ New Litter
The live Puppy Cam is back at Denali National Park and Preserve to share this year's litter of five puppies born in the park on May 3. For 103 years, the Denali Sled Dog Kennels has been the only sled dog kennel in the National Park Service and one of the oldest sled dog kennels in the country. While the role of the Kennels has evolved over time, human and canine rangers have worked together since 1922 to uphold the tradition of preserving the park’s vast wilderness by dog team. Denali’s dogs are authentic working dogs; they continue to run patrols and haul materials in Denali’s 2 million acres of the federally designated wilderness area.
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.