CALS Online and Dean’s Message
November 17, 2025
Dean’s Message
Greetings CALS Colleagues – Last week was the very exciting groundbreaking for the new BioMADE installations at the BioCentury Research Farm. This will be a transformative effort, and at a $40 million value, it is a BIG deal for us all… I have the privilege of serving as president of the Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Foundation, and later this week, I will be in Washington, D.C. for the annual 2025 AAAS Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Lecture, Policy Roundtable, and this year, a graduate student poster competition… Please register to listen to the AAAS-RMF lecture online…
Top Stories
Forestry Club’s Christmas Tree Sale Begins Nov. 29
The Forestry Club is holding its annual Christmas tree fundraiser at the Reiman Gardens parking lot. Trees will be for sale Nov. 29-30, Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14. Hours are Fridays, 3-6 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 11 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. Alongside the tree and wreath sales, The Wildlife Society is selling bird houses.
Horticulture Club Accepting Pre-Orders for Poinsettias
The Horticulture Club is holding its annual poinsettia sale. Plants may be pre-ordered online or purchased at these campus locations on a first come, first served basis:
- Dec. 2 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Curtiss Hall
- Dec. 3 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Beardshear Hall
- Dec. 4 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Maple Willow Larch Commons
- Dec. 5 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Union Drive Community Center
- Dec. 6 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Reiman Gardens
Sizes are 4, 6.5 and 10 inches; prices range from $12 to $40. The poinsettias are grown by club members in the Horticulture Hall greenhouses. Funds raised are used for club activities, travel expenses and student enrichment.
Agronomy Club Accepting Popcorn Orders
The Agronomy Club is holding its annual popcorn fundraiser. The packages weigh approximately 2 lbs. and sell for $10. The popcorn is grown at the Agronomy Research Farm just outside of Ames and is a combination of red and yellow kernels.
Sigma Alpha Holding Candle Fundraiser
Sigma Alpha, the professional agriculture sorority, is holding a Dirt Road Candle fundraiser. Made with Iowa-grown products, the 8 oz. seasonal candles sell for $24.95. Orders are accepted through Nov. 26.
Holiday Season Wine and Cider Sales Open for Pre-Orders
The Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute is holding its annual holiday wine sale at the Meat Lab in Kildee Hall. Pre-orders can be placed online for pick-up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following Fridays: Nov. 14 and 21, and Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Limited edition bottles of the new cider are also available for pre-order.
Research
Soil Machine Dynamics Lab Solves Problems in Outer Space and Iowa Fields
From the surface of the moon to the fields of Iowa, the Soil Machine Dynamics Laboratory at Iowa State applies innovative science to solve problems. Laboratory Director Mehari Tekeste, agricultural and biosystems engineering, works closely with students, industry and government agencies to better understand interactions between machinery and soil resources.
Teaching and Students
New Class Streamlines Microbiology Labs
A newly revamped Micro 3000L: Basic Microbiology Laboratory Techniques is available beginning in spring 2026 through the microbiology program in the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology. The single, streamlined class designed for all life science students, is not just about memorizing lab techniques, said Claudia Lemper-Manahl, course instructor. “It’s about understanding how microbiology connects to human health, food safety and the world around us.”
Student Entries for CALS Art Science Exhibition Due Wednesday
CALS seeks student work in any material or medium on Agricultural Icons (open interpretation) for a Dec. 8 group exhibition. Two $500 prizes will be awarded to Best of Show, Graduate Student and Best of Show, Undergraduate Student. Email applications to CALS Art Science Curator Dior Kelley (dkelley@iastate.edu). Submission deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Webinar to Share CALS Micro-Credential Pathways Story
The CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program is going to share its micro-credential story on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 1-1:50 p.m. “More Than a Badge: The CALS Micro-Credential Pathways Story — From Idea to Impact” will feature Amy Mendee, Pathways director, and CALS students. Registration is required.
Extension and Outreach
Virtual Field Days to Explore Impacts of Residue Management on Crops
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, will host a virtual field day on Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. to explore the impacts of residue management on crop yield and fertilizer inputs. The event, which is available at no cost, will feature a live discussion with Mike Castellano, agronomy.
Pesticide Training Materials Revised Ahead of 2026 Iowa Rule Changes
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will implement updated pesticide applicator certification and training rules beginning Jan. 1, 2026. In preparation for the new rules, the Iowa State University Pesticide Safety Education Program is revising several applicator manuals and exams to ensure compliance and provide accurate resources for commercial and private pesticide applicators.
Around the College
Hayes Receives Prestigious USMEF Award
Dermot Hayes, economics, received the U.S. Meat Export Federation Distinguished Service Award at its strategic planning conference in Indianapolis on Nov. 13. The award honors outstanding figures in the red meat industry who exemplify the exceptional, individual dedication responsible for the federation’s success. Recently retired from Iowa State, Hayes continues to serve as a consulting economist for the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council.
Proposals Sought for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows Program
The Dean’s Office for Academic Innovation and Start Something CALS are seeking proposals from college faculty for the 2026 cohort of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows. The program seeks to foster and expand a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among CALS faculty across departments. To advance this goal, the Dean’s office provides funds to support faculty seeking to incorporate innovation within teaching, research or extension activities. All CALS faculty, regardless of rank, are eligible to apply. Up to six fellowships will be awarded. Proposals are due to Carmen Bain (cbain@iastate.edu) by Dec. 14.
Compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Required
Following a federal ruling by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Americans with Disabilities Act, all public entities are required to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at the AA level by April 24, 2026. This means all content, both public-facing and internal, must meet those accessibility requirements. Iowa State’s Digital Accessibility Team offers training and resources to help ensure your digital materials are accessible. What you should do:
- Read Inside Iowa State's "What to know about the digital accessibility initiative" article
- Faculty: Complete the Core Digital Accessibility Training for Faculty in Workday by May 15, 2026
- Staff: Complete the Core Digital Accessibility Training for Staff in Workday by May 15, 2026
Last Call for CALS Award Nominations
Nominations for CALS awards are due to the college tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 18, by 11:59 p.m. through the online submission portal. Nominations will be reviewed in December, and award recipients will be notified in January. Awardees will be honored during the annual CALS Awards Program in the spring. Contact your departmental awards committee, or Julie Stewart (jstewart@iastate.edu), for additional information.
CALS Online: Next Issue Dec. 1
CALS Online will not be published on Nov. 24, the week of fall break. The newsletter will resume Dec. 1.
Calendar
Nov. 19: Exploring Parental Influence in Career Choices
The Department of Agricultural Education and Studies is co-sponsoring a lecture on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. in 2630 Memorial Union, as part of the Iowa State Research Showcase series. Joseph Ramstad, a Ph.D. candidate in AGEDS, will present “The Driving Factor? Exploring Parental Influence in Career Choices.”
Nov. 20-21: Apple Sale at Horticulture Research Station
The Horticulture Research Station is holding an apple sale on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 20-21, from 3-6 p.m. at the station, 55519 170th St., Ames. A variety of apple cultivars will be available for $5 for a 5-pound bag and $30 for a 30-pound box (to order a box, email chlohens@iastate.edu).
Dec. 2: Steve Mickelson Retirement Reception
A retirement reception for Steve Mickelson, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and special advisor to the provost, will be held Dec. 2 from 2-4 p.m. (remarks at 2:15 p.m.) in the Sukup Hall atrium. Post well wishes to his Kudoboard.
Dec. 3: Deal Lecture
The 2025 William K. Deal Leadership Lecture is Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m. in Dolezal Auditorium, 0127 Curtiss Hall. Gretta Irwin, executive director and home economist with the Iowa Turkey Federation, will present “It Takes One: Leadership, Legacy and the Power of Belief.” The event is free and open to the public.
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
Use of Hyphens with Compound Modifiers
When a compound modifier – two or more words that express a single concept – precedes a noun, should the modifier be hyphenated? Often there’s not one absolute answer.
- Do use a hyphen if it’s needed to make the meaning clear and avoid unintended meanings: small-business owner, low-income workers, one-way street. Think of the different possible meanings or confusion if the hyphen is removed in the examples.
- Other two-word terms, particularly those used as nouns, have evolved to be commonly recognized as, in effect, one word: chocolate chip cookie, emergency room visit, parking lot entrance.
(Associated Press Stylebook, 2024-2026 edition, pg. 400)
Infograzing
Iowa State Ranked No. 9 in the Nation in Latest Entrepreneurship Rankings
Iowa State is ranked No. 9 in The Princeton Review's 20th annual rankings of undergraduate schools for entrepreneurship studies, climbing five spots from the previous year's rankings and marking the first time in school history that Iowa State has been ranked in the top 10.
Art Walk Includes Curtiss Hall
University Museums is holding an art walk on systems and connections on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. beginning at the east entrance of Gerdin Business Building. Explore the intricate networks that power the world in this guided art walk through the Gerdin Business Building and Curtiss Hall.
Nominations Close Dec. 1 for P&S CYtation Awards
Nominate P&S staff for CYtation awards, presented annually by the Professional and Scientific Council. A new award has been added this year for Outstanding P&S Supervisor. Nomination deadline is Dec. 1.
Marginalia
The Great Pumpkin – Dilemma?
Pumpkins, gourds and haystacks can make a porch or yard an inviting sight for fall. But what to do with them come November? In a Nov. 5 blog post by the Iowa Food and Family Project, six options are offered for pitching pumpkins:
1. Compost
2. Cook Up a Fall Feast
3. Wildlife Feed
4. Get Your Garden Ready
5. Craft Time (bird feeders, planters, natural dye)
6. Donate or Drop Off
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.