CALS Online and Dean’s Message
February 2, 2026
Dean’s Message
Happy Monday CALS – Last week I was in Florida with Francis Owusu, Sarah Roelfs and Nick Van Berkum for annual alum and donor visits, and an ISU Foundation event where this year the incoming ISU president, David Cook, was introduced. It was a terrific event with lots of steadfast supporters of the university present and many with CALS connections… Among the projects and topics discussed were…
Top Stories
Arora Studies Relationship Between Freezing and ‘Natural Thermometer’ of Plants
The mystery of how plants survive freezing temperatures and rebound after winter has long fascinated scientists, including Rajeev Arora, horticulture, who focuses on the cold physiology of plants. He is particularly interested in the “fascinating phenomenon” of cold-induced “thermonasty,” characterized by the curling and drooping of leaves, which some plants use to adapt to cold temperatures. His research demonstrates that the freezing precedes thermonasty, supporting theories that it serves as a “natural thermometer.” (Photo by Paul Christiansen)
Research
Spring INRC Seminar Series Highlights Nutrient Reduction
Strategies in Upper Mississippi River Basin States
The spring 2026 water quality research seminar series hosted by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center will feature updates on nutrient reduction strategies in other Upper Mississippi River Basin states. The spring sessions will be held from 3:10-4 p.m., the second Wednesday of the month, February through May, and will be presented online only. The presenter for Feb. 11 will be Joseph Bonnell, nutrient reduction strategy coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Teaching and Students
Driving the Future of Smart Agriculture
Elnaz Ebrahimi, agronomy, has been improving student learning with smart rhizoboxes for the past two years. Rhizoboxes are transparent containers used to study plant growth, equipped with soil sensors and high-resolution cameras that provide insight on the root and shoot function, enhancing the understanding of plant physiology, nutrient uptake and plant analysis. Ebrahimi saw a need to introduce students to this technology and used funding from her participation in the CALS Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows program to purchase rhizoboxes for class use.
Ingredient Application Challenge Finale Tuesday Night, Feb. 3
The Grain Processing Corporation Ingredient Application Challenge Finale is Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 5:15 p.m. in the Culinary Discovery Lab, 2379 Food Sciences Building. Faculty, staff and students are invited to taste and vote on the entrees created by eight student teams.
Horticulture Club Accepting Preorders for Valentine’s Bouquets
The Horticulture Club is accepting preorders for its annual Valentine's bouquet sale while supplies last. Also, arrangements can be purchased on site Feb. 12-13 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily while supplies last) at the Union Drive Community Center lobby. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.
Celebrate Student Scholars During CALS Research Day
Celebrate the research of undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars during CALS Research Day on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 1-5 p.m. in the Student Innovation Center. The event will feature poster presentations, showcase finalists from the 10th annual Three Minute Thesis competition, and conclude with a social hour and awards ceremony.
Extension and Outreach
New Training Materials Available for Iowa Pesticide Applicators
The Iowa State Pesticide Safety Education Program has revised several applicator manuals and exams to reflect the updated pesticide applicator certification and training rules implemented by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on Jan. 1.
2026 Iowa Crop Production Costs Increase, Limiting
Profit Opportunities for Corn and Soybean Farmers
Iowa corn and soybean producers continue to face tight margins heading into the 2026 growing season, according to the newly released Estimated Costs of Crop Production in Iowa – 2026 from ISU Extension and Outreach.
Around the College
CALS Programs to be Featured at ISU Day at the Capitol
Interim President David Spalding will lead a group of about 40 faculty, staff and students representing 17 programs that showcase the university’s innovation and statewide impact during ISU Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Programs associated with CALS that legislators, statehouse staff and other visitors can learn more about include:
- Digital Ag Innovation Lab
- Iowa Nitrogen Initiative
- ISU Creamery
- Precision Livestock Farming
- Soynomics
Meisinger Inducted into Meat Industry Hall of Fame
David Meisinger, former executive director of the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence based at Iowa State, was inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame at the International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 27.
Video: Ross Recognized as Honorary Master Pork Producer
Jason Ross, chair of animal science, was named an Honorary Master Pork Producer by the Iowa Pork Producers Association at the Iowa Pork Congress banquet on Jan. 21 in Des Moines. He was honored for his lifelong dedication to supporting Iowa livestock farmers through mentorship and hands-on guidance.
ISU Chapter of Engineers Without Borders Working in Ghana
Dirk Maier and a group of students involved with the Engineers Without Borders-ISU Chapter have returned from a study abroad trip to Ullo, Ghana. They collaborated with a team from the Engineers Without Borders-KNUST (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology) sister chapter to work on a latrine project and assess how to improve water access and use on the Ullo Senior High School boarding school campus. The travel team’s newsletters are available online. Those interested in learning more about these efforts can reach out to Maier, dmaier@iastate.edu.
Seed Science Center Celebrates GWC Day with Free Popcorn
Faculty, staff and students are invited to enjoy a free bag of freshly popped popcorn from the Seed Science Center in celebration of George Washington Carver Day in Iowa today, Monday, Feb. 2, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visitors are also invited to take a photo with Carver’s life-size statue located just outside the building.
Donate to ‘pRICE Is Right’ Food Drive through Feb. 27
The CALS Staff Council is holding a “pRICE Is Right” food drive through Feb. 27 to support students experiencing food insecurity at Iowa State. Faculty and staff are invited to donate bags of long-grain white rice to the SHOP Food Pantry, helping provide a reliable and nutritious staple for students in need. There are seven collection locations around campus.
Calendar
Feb. 4: Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinar
Circular Bioeconomy Strategies for Enhancing Soybean Plant Health is the focus of the Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at noon. Brady Clausen, graduate student in sustainable agriculture, will present.
Feb. 6: CALS Staff Council
Warm up with the CALS Staff Council on Friday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. in the ATRB atrium. Hot chocolate and sugar cookies will be available while supplies last.
Feb. 6: Women Impacting ISU Calendar Reception
The reception to unveil the 2026 Women Impacting ISU calendar has been rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 6, from 3:30-5 p.m. (program at 4 p.m.) in the Memorial Union Sun Room. The 20th anniversary commemorative edition features women who left Iowa State before the publication of the first calendar in 2007. Honorees with CALS connections are: Rowena Edson Stevens (1873 agriculture) and Kate (Nelson) Terrell (’02 horticulture).
March 9: Save the Date – Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony
The CALS Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony, honoring employee achievements, is March 9 at 4:10 p.m. in Dolezal Auditorium, 127 Curtiss Hall. The program will include brief comments from Dean Robison and recognition of the 2026 award recipients. A reception in Harl Commons will follow the program.
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
AP Releases Topical Guide for 2026 Winter Olympics
To help with spellings and usage in coverage of the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina beginning Friday, Feb. 6, The Associated Press compiled an editorial style guide of essential terms, spellings and definitions. The Milan Cortina Games are the first Olympics officially shared between two host cities. Milan Cortina Games or Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are capitalized, no hyphen. The year always precedes the host city and Olympics:?2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
Infograzing
Celebrate George Washington Carver Day at the Hall of Laureates
The World Food Prize Foundation is holding a celebration of the life and legacy of George Washington Carver on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hall of Laureates in Des Moines. This free, family-friendly event welcomes visitors of all ages to explore Carver’s journey through Iowa artist talks, story time, historic records and fireside chats.
Iowa State Welcomes Tuskegee Choir for George Washington Carver Event
Iowa State will welcome the Tuskegee University Golden Voices Concert Choir for a special performance celebrating George Washington Carver Day in Iowa on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Stephens Auditorium. The concert will honor the shared legacy of Carver, an Iowa State graduate and the university’s first Black student, who went on to teach and conduct research at Tuskegee for 47 years. Admission is free with a goodwill donation. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
Marginalia
Ski Mountaineering to Make Olympic Debut
There will be 116 medal events across 16 disciplines at the 2026 Winter Olympics, beginning Friday, Feb. 6. Ski mountaineering will make its Olympic debut. Ski mountaineering began as a practical way to travel across snowbound mountains in regions such as the Alps and Scandinavia, later evolving into military patrol competitions and iconic endurance races like Italy’s Trofeo Mezzalama and Switzerland’s Patrouille des Glaciers. The modern sport was formalized from the 1980s, with European championships in the 1990s and the first world championships held in France in 2002.
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.