CALS Online and Dean’s Message
August 4, 2025
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – As you may have noted in my agricultural photo on Monday last week, and will see in the agricultural photos below, I have been vacationing in the Czech Republic. As part of the trip, we have been finding the places that my wife’s family emigrated from to get to Howard and Winneshiek counties in northeast Iowa in 1877… We even met a fourth/fifth cousin who had been wondering what happened to the family that left, just as we had been wondering where we came from! I hope you, too, are having a great and safe summer, including work, travel and fun…
Top Stories
CALS and the Iowa State Fair – Aug. 7-17
Iowa State’s 2025 State Fair exhibit is a celebration of innovation, community and Cyclone pride. Themed “Your Iowa. Your State. Your University,” visitors will experience Iowa State’s impact in Iowa and beyond. The exhibit in the Varied Industries Building is open to fairgoers from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, Aug. 7-17. Listed below are activities at the fair involving CALS faculty, staff and students.
State Fair: Weed Identification Contest – Aug. 8
The annual ISU Extension and Outreach Weed Identification Contest is Friday, Aug. 8, from 9-11:30 a.m. in front of the John Deere Agriculture Building. Contestants need to know commonly accepted names of weeds, but do not need to know scientific names. There are three divisions: future agronomists (youth under age 19), general and professional.
State Fair: Skillathons – Aug. 10, Aug. 13
Amy Powell, extension program specialist in animal science, is working with three skillathon events at the Iowa State Fair – swine, sheep and goat. The skillathon is a series of five stations where 4-H youth work in teams to solve a challenge related to genetics, welfare, meat science, handling and other animal husbandry topics within their species. The swine skillathon is Sunday, Aug. 10, at 9 a.m. in the Swine Barn, and the sheep skillathon is at 1 p.m. in the Sheep Barn. The goat skillathon is Aug. 13 at 12:30 p.m. in the Swine Barn.
State Fair: Iowa State Collaboration Caps Off Historic Farm Exhibit
A team of faculty, staff and students in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering came together to construct a historical silo that will be part of an exhibit in the Agriculture Building during the Iowa State Fair. The full exhibit includes a model barn, Aermotor windmill and two silos.
State Fair: “I Milked a Cow”
The Dairy Science Club is hosting “I Milked a Cow” from 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. in the John and Emily Putney Family Cattle Barn, daily from Aug. 7-17. In addition to hand-milking a cow, activities will include a prize wheel and information on dairy cows, milk production and dairy products.
Research
VanLoocke Looks at Benefits of Incorporating Miscanthus
While many farmers express interest in growing alternative crops that could be profitable and improve environmental quality, there are strong incentives for growing conventional row crops. Exploring the potential of other options that could outweigh the risks is a professional quest for Andy VanLoocke, agronomy. His research shows that incorporating miscanthus, a perennial biomass crop, on less productive farm ground can offer multiple benefits: increased farm income, improved water quality and better soil health.
Extension and Outreach
Food Safety Webinar Scheduled for Food Entrepreneurs
The Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team with ISU Extension and Outreach will offer a food safety webinar from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 12. “Safe Food, Smart Business: Understanding the Basics and the Consequences,” led by Hannah Hansen, food safety extension specialist, will provide insights to help food entrepreneurs navigate food safety challenges with practical, accessible solutions.
Training Event Offers In-Depth Look at Drone Spraying in Agriculture
The Iowa State Digital Ag Innovation Lab and Terraplex are co-hosting a new educational event offering research-backed insights on drone spraying use in agriculture. “Drone Spraying Essentials: From Basics to Application” is Sept. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Digital Ag Innovation Lab in Ames. The cost to attend is $225, which includes lunch and educational materials. Online pre-registration is required by Aug. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Space is limited to 100 attendees.
Dr. Manure Releases Two New Quarterly Newsletters
Dr. Manure (Dan Andersen with agricultural and biosystems engineering and the Iowa Manure Management Action Group), has released two new quarterly newsletters. From Pit to Power explores the value chain of anaerobic digestion in agriculture. From Pit to Power sign-up is available online. Ag Systems Update highlights current topics and the latest research related to agricultural and biosystems engineering. Ag Systems Update Highlights sign-up is available online.
Landowner Education Program Graduates 17
Seventeen Iowans graduated from the second cohort of the Landowner Education Program in July. Organized by ISU Extension and Outreach, the program features five in-person and two virtual educational events to help landowners improve the environmental and economic resiliency of their land through soil health practices.
Around the College
Janke Named Leopold Center Associate Director
Adam Janke, natural resource ecology and management and the state wildlife specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach, joined the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture as associate director. His research and extension programs at Iowa State focus on helping Iowa landowners conserve wildlife on working lands, with a specific eye to managing farm margins for birds. Janke finds inspiration from a lesser-known quote by Aldo Leopold: “There are two things that interest me. The relation of people to each other, and the relation of people to the land.”
Steil Honored for Garden Communications
Aaron Steil, horticulture, received two Gold Laurel Medals of Achievement, presented by GardenComm: Garden Communicators International. One medal was in the writing category for the 2025 ISU Extension and Outreach Garden Calendar - Perennial Beauty. The calendar was authored by Steil and Cindy Haynes and put together by the staff in Agriculture and Natural Resources communications. The second medal was in the speaking and broadcast category, television series for "Gardening with Steil." The television program was also a project with Steil and Haynes with Iowa PBS producing the show.
Datta Contributes to National Oncology Nutrition Standards
Mridul Datta, food science and human nutrition, was a coauthor of the Revised 2025 Scope and Standards of Practice for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Oncology Nutrition. Published by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the Scope and Standards are available for general dietetics as well as specialized areas such as oncology, pediatric nutrition, sports and human performance nutrition, public health, community nutrition and more.
Youngs Appointed to ISAAA AfriCenter Board of Directors
Curt Youngs, animal science, has been appointed to serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors for International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications AfriCenter. As a not-for-profit international organization whose vision is to see Africa become a food secure continent free of hunger and poverty, its mission is to share knowledge on agricultural biotechnology and biosafety through strategic communications and outreach for informed policy and choice.
Seed Science Center Launches “GermiNation” Podcast
The Seed Science Center has launched a new podcast, GermiNation, to spotlight the people, research and innovations that drive the global seed industry forward. From breakthroughs in seed technology to the voices of students shaping the future of agriculture, the podcast offers listeners an inside look at the science and stories behind one of the world’s most essential resources: seeds. The premiere episode features Scott Heuchelin, the newly appointed director of the Seed Science Center.
Leopold Center Releases 2024 Annual Report
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has released its 2024 annual report. It begins with messages from Stephen Dinsmore, interim director, and Adam Janke, the new associate director. The Center continues to provide support for many activities related to sustainable agriculture, and the report’s news briefs and research summaries highlight these activities.
Calendar
Aug. 29: CALS Ice Cream Social
CALS faculty and staff are invited to an ice cream social on Aug. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Harl Commons patio behind Curtiss Hall.
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.
Infograzing
Registration Open for Norman Borlaug Dialogue
Registration is open for the World Food Prize Foundation’s annual Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, scheduled for Oct. 21-23 in Des Moines. This year’s theme, SOILutions for Security, underscores the foundational role that agriculture plays in sustaining global stability. As the world’s population rises and new challenges strain food systems, a global consensus is taking root: soil is more than dirt—it is a dynamic, living system that underpins human survival. In an era of economic disruption, conflict and environmental stress, the Borlaug Dialogue will examine how diverse industries and sectors can unite to address these challenges from the ground up.
Marginalia
Iowa State Fair Top Three New Foods Announced
Below are the top three new food finalists for the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Fair attendees can vote for their favorite Aug. 7-13 on the official Iowa State Fair App or website (iowastatefair.org).
- The Scotcheroo Shake - Over The Top
- Three Little Pigs – Whatcha Smokin? BBQ
- Bacon Chicken Ranch Eggroll – Winn & Sara’s Kitchen
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.