CALS Online and Dean’s Message
April 20, 2026
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – It was a beautiful April weekend, with exactly the ups and downs that April is famous for, and captured so well, I think, in the third stanza from “Two Tramps in Mud Time" by Robert Frost… Last week, I presented the annual spring CALS Town Hall. A video of that will be posted soon. I celebrated a number of things in the college, but mostly spent time reviewing the budget, the challenges we have with that and the need for sustained optimism…
Top Stories
Link Between Pollinators and Diverse Landscapes is a Two-Way Street
Ecologists have long seen a strong connection between biodiversity and pollinators. Research has shown diverse landscapes draw more pollinators – some which only feed on certain plants. Essentially, pollinators go where the food is, said Brian Wilsey, ecology, evolution and organismal biology (pictured at right). A recent study by Wilsey and doctoral graduate Nathan Soley (left) showed the converse is also true: pollinators support diversity in plant communities. In an article published this month in Ecology, Wilsey and Soley described a four-year experiment they conducted in plots of restored prairie that examined how plant diversity was affected by purposely protecting wildflowers from pollinators. (Photo by Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University.)
Research
Digging Deeper on How Tillage Methods Affect Soil Health, Yield
A new database built by Iowa State researchers including Andy VanLoocke and Marshall McDaniel, agronomy, aims to improve estimates of how varying tillage practices affect yield and soil carbon, integrating the results of more than 250 peer-reviewed studies.
INRC Accepting Proposals for Research Projects
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center is accepting new proposals for research projects designed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in Iowa’s water. Proposals are due by May 1 for projects that will begin in August. Award decisions will be made in July.
Additional Roundtable Offered on Leveraging AI to Advance Life Sciences and Agriculture
The Office of the Vice President for Research is hosting two additional Research and Innovation Roundtables this spring. The first is on May 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alliant Energy Digital Agriculture Innovation Lab. “Leveraging AI to Advance Life Sciences and Agriculture” will help position the Iowa State research community and regional partners for anticipated federal opportunities inspired by the White House's Genesis Mission, a national effort to accelerate scientific discovery through advanced AI. Registration closes April 27.
Teaching and Students
Animal Science Department Introduces New Certificate and Minor
The Department of Animal Science has introduced a new Companion Animal Science and Management Certificate, designed for animal science students who are pursuing a future in veterinary medicine, pet nutrition, animal welfare and animal training. The animal nutrition minor allows students opportunities to gain real-life experience with feed formulation software, skills to evaluate feed and feedstuff quality, and relate animal health to animal nutrition.
Antique Tractor Club Holding Tractor Show April 25
The Antique Tractor Club is holding its fourth annual Spring Tractor Show on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lot 10 behind the Town Engineering Building. A John Deere 520 pedal tractor will be raffled off during the show.
Faculty, Advisors Invited to Pathways Luncheon
CALS faculty and advisors are invited to a luncheon on May 6 from noon to 1 p.m. in 0013 Curtiss Hall to hear from advisors and students engaged in the Pathways to Innovation and Leadership Program and discover how this program can benefit students. RSVP by 5 p.m. on April 29.
Extension and Outreach
Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference Scheduled for May 20
Iowa State will hold the 2026 Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference on May 20 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Scheman Building. The annual conference – now in its 98th year – is the longest running research and extension conference at Iowa State.
Iowa Farmers Uncertain about Advantages and Limitations of Drones
Drones are beginning to play a role in Iowa agriculture, particularly for crop monitoring and pesticide application, but most farmers remain uncertain about the technology’s advantages and limitations, according to results from the 2025 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, an annual survey of Iowa farmers conducted by ISU Extension and Outreach.
Extension Offers Monthly Garden Q&A Live
ISU Extension and Outreach invites gardeners to take advantage of Garden Q&A Live, a monthly program designed to connect home gardeners directly with Iowa State horticulture experts during live, hour-long Zoom sessions. Participation is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required for each session, held the second Monday of each month from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Around the College
Iowa State’s Ag, Forestry Programs Climb to No. 7 in 2026 Worldwide Rankings
Climbing five spots from last year, Iowa State’s agriculture and forestry programs now rank No. 7 globally among 475 institutions, according to the 2026 QS World University Rankings. Compared to U.S. institutions offering the same programs, Iowa State ranks No. 4. Two CALS students can attest to the value of their Iowa State education and the opportunities it has opened so far in their academic journey.
CALS Faculty Awarded Transformative Initiative Funds
The office of the senior vice president and provost announced $2.4 million in funding across two years for 24 transformative initiatives to support new academic programs, student success and career readiness, and build additional capacity in artificial intelligence. Funded programs led by CALS faculty are:
- AI-Enabled Tutoring and Applied Learning in CALS – Karl Kerns, animal science, and Elnaz Ebrahimi, agronomy.
- Developing a Master's Program in Biotechnology and Genome Engineering – Dior Kelley, genetics, development and cell biology.
- Digital and Precision Agriculture Micro-credential Program – Matt Darr, agricultural and biosystems engineering.
- Transforming Animal Enterprise Education – Jason Ross, animal science.
New Training Program Targets Shortage of Tax Preparers with Ag Expertise
A tax preparer who grasps the unique complexities of agricultural income can be difficult to find. A new Iowa State program will aim to help by offering free ag-tax training to tax-prep professionals nationwide. Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation staff are partnering with the Ivy College of Business on the training program. Development of the training is supported by $2.8 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Haen Whitmer – Learning to Be a Businesswoman
The latest story in the 2026 Innovation at Work series includes Karri Haen Whitmer, genetics, development and cell biology. Haen Whitmer is founder and CEO of Ama AI, a software program that provides AI learning companions to school-aged children with learning disabilities. After completing the CALS’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows program, Haen Whitmer joined the ISU Startup Factory’s 14th cohort in August 2023 to refine her pitch, business model and product language.
Calendar
April 23: Gardening for Your Health and Well-Being
Melinda Myers, a garden columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms, will present “Gardening for Your Health and Well-Being” on Thursday, April 23, at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. The horticulture and natural resource ecology and management departments are co-sponsors of the lecture.
April 24-25: Campustown Showdown
The Department of Animal Science is a sponsor of the Campustown Showdown on April 24-25. A cattle show will take place Friday, April 24, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 25, at 9:30 a.m. at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. The grand drive in the campustown business district will take place Saturday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. The Iowa State University Rodeo Club is a vendor.
April 27: Rossmann-Manatt Lecture
As recipient of the 2025 Rossmann Manatt Faculty Development Award, Arti Singh, agronomy, will deliver her lecture on April 27 from 10-11 a.m. in the Memorial Union Campanile Room. Her presentation, "Building the Next Generation of AI-Literate Agriculturists and Innovators," will showcase how research at the interface of agriculture and AI has produced novel findings that motivated Singh and her team to design hands-on learning activities for K–16 students, with the goal of building an AI-literate, highly skilled next generation of agricultural professionals.
May 5: CALS Faculty and Staff Picnic
CALS faculty and staff are invited to celebrate the end of the year at a picnic on May 5 from 4-6 p.m. at the Harl Commons patio, Curtiss Hall. Dinner, ISU wine and beer, ISU Creamery ice cream and live music by The Crunch Brothers will be provided. Plus ones are welcome to attend. RSVP by April 28.
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
Earth Day Campus Celebration is April 22
The Live Green initiative is hosting an Earth Day celebration on Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Parks Library south lawn. Participate in activities to "create sustainably," win prizes, receive a free bike tune-up from the ISU Adventure Program and network with campus and community organizations whose missions focus on environmental, social and economic sustainability. Enjoy free refreshments and music from KURE 88.5 Radio.
Digital Accessibility Compliance Deadline Extended to 2027
The deadline for compliance with web content accessibility guidelines has been extended by one year to April 26, 2027. 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 2.1 at the AA level.
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.