CALS Online and Dean’s Message
May 4, 2026
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS and Happy Monday – Before I get into my message, don't forget to attend these upcoming events… This week, we’ll start with hosting USDA Undersecretary Richard Fordyce and State Farm Service Agency Director Starlyn Perdue at the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex…
Top Stories
New Study Quantifies Large Increase in Corn Belt Maize Residue
Carbon inputs from maize residue in the Corn Belt increased almost 50% from 1980 to 2020, according to a new Iowa State-led study. The increase, driven by higher productivity and expanded corn acreage, has significant implications for crop management, farm economics and environmental sustainability across the region. Co-authors on the research included Alejo Ruiz, who recently earned his doctoral degree in crop production and physiology at Iowa State and is now a scientist with Corteva Agriscience, and Sotirios Archontoulis, agronomy. Their findings were recently published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.
Research
For Crop Breeders, Growth Curves Built on Drone Data Reveal Timing and Duration of Genetic Effects
Technology such as drones, robots and sensors make large-scale data collection throughout a growing season feasible, giving crop scientists the capability to discern the timing and duration of genetic effects, said Jianming Yu, agronomy. A research team led by Yu demonstrated the possibilities in a recent paper published in the Journal of Experimental Botany, which described a three-year study of sorghum at an Iowa State research farm near Boone.
Observations Show Trumpeter Swans Find Constructed Wetlands Appealing
Jayden Jech spent last summer taking measurements above, around and under water in constructed wetlands throughout Iowa – and he’s gearing up to do it again. Jech, a graduate student in wildlife ecology, looked for Trumpeter swan nests at more than 80 privately-owned constructed wetlands.
Teaching and Students
Unique Certification Prepares Future Agriculture Teachers
Darla Romberger, a graduate student in agricultural education, is leading teacher certification students through the CASE AgXplore certification training. After completing the training, future ag teachers will have the skills and knowledge to implement a curriculum based on the AgX concepts.
Thamodaran Award Recipient on the Pursuit of Optimal Pesticide Use
Hyewon Lee, a doctoral student in economics, is the 2026 recipient of the Thamodaran Family Innovation in Agriculture Student Award. Lee is working to bridge the gap between pesticide applications and farmer behavior.
McGrath Selected for Fulbright Internship
Ella McGrath, horticulture and global resource systems, was selected for a 2026 Fulbright internship. She will be working at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on a project titled “Evaluation of Biodiverse Hedgerows in Organic Agriculture.”
ISU–Makerere Partnership Fosters Cross-Cultural Learning
This spring, Lilian Akello, a recent graduate in agribusiness management from Makerere University, is visiting Iowa State as a short-term scholar. She is gaining insight into agricultural innovation, farm management, agribusiness and extension services – knowledge she hopes to apply to sustainable agriculture and community-based development in Uganda.
CALS IGNITE Innovation Showcase Open House May 5
The CALS IGNITE Open House is Tuesday, May 5, from 1-4 p.m. in rooms 4227 and 4229 of the Student Innovation Center. Learn about the Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program, the Dairy Science Club and the agrivoltaics project.
Science with Practice Poster Session Set for May 6
This semester’s Science with Practice poster session is Wednesday, May 6, from 2-4 p.m. in the Kildee Hall atrium. Science with Practice is a CALS experiential learning and work program for undergraduate students.
Horticulture Club Holding Spring Flower Basket Sale
The Horticulture Club is holding its annual spring flower basket sale at Reiman Gardens on Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Extension and Outreach
New Series Offers Insight into How Farmland Values are Determined
A new three-part educational series from Ag Decision Maker assists landowners, producers, lenders and investors in better understanding what drives farmland values across Iowa and the Midwest.
Around the College
CALS Faculty, Staff to Receive Top University Awards
Several CALS faculty and staff are among the recipients of the university’s most distinguished awards, to be given this fall at the ISU Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony. The following individuals from CALS departments and centers are recognized:
- James Reecy, animal science, associate vice provost for research – Distinguished Professor
- Jianming Yu – agronomy, director of the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding – Distinguished Professor
- Thomas Brumm, agricultural and biosystems engineering – University Professor
- Sarah Francis, food science and human nutrition – Morrill Professor
- Jodi Sterle, animal science – Morrill Professor
- Aileen Keating, animal science – Regents Award for Faculty Excellence
- Geetu Tuteja, genetics, development and cell biology – Regents Award for Faculty Excellence
- Dawn Bowker, food science and human nutrition – Award for Impact on Student Success
- Carly Manz, genetics, development and cell biology – Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching
- Cheryl Morris, animal science – Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching / Louis Thompson Distinguished Undergraduate Teacher
- Michael Shogren-Knaak, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology – James Huntington Ellis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Introductory Teaching
- Kan Wang, agronomy – Margaret Ellen White Graduate Faculty Award
- Yanhai Yin, genetics, development and cell biology – Award for Departmental Leadership
- Kelsey Powell, animal science – Award for Academic Advising Impact
- Chase Olsen, natural resource ecology and management – Award for Early Achievement in Academic Advising
- Dipali Sashital, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology – Award for Mid-Career Achievement in Research
- Nick Crumpton, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology – P&S Outstanding New Professional Award
- Anna Johnson, animal science – Award for Distinguished Service in Extension and Outreach
- Jacob Manternach, animal science – Award for Early Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice
- Richard Roth, agronomy – Award for Early Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice
CALS PALS Award to be Presented at Spring Picnic
Two recipients of the inaugural CALS Peer Award for Leadership and Service will be honored at the college’s faculty and staff picnic on Tuesday, May 5, from 4-6 p.m. at the Harl Commons patio, Curtiss Hall. Recipients are:
- Greg Gebhart, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology
- Troy Heeren, natural resource ecology and management
Three Animal Science Faculty Selected for Endowed Positions
Three Department of Animal Science faculty will continue their impactful research and teaching with support from donor-funded named positions. Elisabeth Huff Lonergan was named the Morrison Chair in Meat Science. Stephanie Hansen and Aileen Keating will hold the title of Tyrone D. Artz, M.D., Chair for Faculty Excellence in Animal Science. All three were recognized during a departmental faculty meeting on April 27.
Greiner Graduates from LEAD21
Laura Greiner, animal science and director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center, was one of 84 individuals who completed the LEAD21 leadership-development program this spring. The primary purpose of LEAD21 is to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics and extension to lead more effectively in an increasingly complex environment, either in their current positions or future leadership positions.
Start Something Program Serves as Model for Entrepreneurial Advancement
Over the years, the Start Something program has served as a model for entrepreneurial advancement in other parts of the world. Kevin Kimle, director of the Start Something CALS program and teaching professor in the economics department, has worked with several institutions interested in modeling their programs after Iowa State, including fostering a partnership between Iowa State and the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Calendar
May 6: Virtual Seminar on AI Tools and Uses
Mike Retallick, associate dean for personnel and finance, and Danny Singh, associate dean for research and discovery, are hosting a virtual seminar on AI Tools and Uses on Wednesday, May 6, from 1-2 p.m. via Teams. Mike Lohrbach, chief technology officer with Information Technology Services, will discuss AI tools at Iowa State, guidelines and best practices, challenges and opportunities, and AI to support your work. The program will be recorded and made available following the seminar.
May 13: INRC Water Quality Research Seminar
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center’s final seminar for spring 2026 is May 13 from 3:10-4 p.m. online. Julie Harrold, Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Division of Soil Conservation, will discuss “Indiana's State Nutrient Reduction Strategy: Programs, Practices and Priorities.”
May 19: Shivvers Lecture
Jordan Macknick will present the 2026 Shivvers Memorial Lecture, “The State of Agrivoltaics Research: Global Insights, Trends and Frontiers” on May 19 at noon in the Memorial Union Great Hall. This free public lecture will be hosted by the Electric Power and Research Center and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. This lecture begins the annual meeting of Iowa State’s Electric Power Research Center, which is also open to the public. The registration includes a buffet lunch after the Shivvers Lecture and access to a series of additional talks May 19-20. For those who cannot attend in person, there is an online option for registrants.
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
The Use of Commas – With Conjunctions
When a conjunction such as and, but or for links two clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences, use a comma before the conjunction in most cases: She was glad she had looked, for a man was approaching the house. As a rule of thumb, use a comma if the subject of each clause is expressly stated: We are visiting Washington, and we also plan a side trip to Williamsburg. But no comma when the subject of the two clauses is the same and is not repeated in the second: We are visiting Washington and plan to see the White House. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2024-2026 edition, pg. 397)
Infograzing
‘Lab-on-a-Drone’ Tests Remote Farm Waterways for Nitrate Levels
Iowa State researchers have developed a "lab-on-a-drone" that can fly to remote, marshy areas of farm fields and collect real-time measurements of nitrates. The resulting maps of nutrient concentrations could provide "an evaluation critical for both economic and environmental sustainability," according to the researchers.
Campus Message about Digital Accessibility
On April 20, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a one-year extension to the digital accessibility compliance deadline. The new deadline – April 26, 2027 – comes as the DOJ determined that the original timeline was not sufficient for the work required. This allows a shift from rapid remediation to steady, habit-building accessibility practices. It also means a PDF remediation solution will be available before the compliance deadline.
Barks at Parks Available During Prep Week
Students are invited to drop by the University Library's Upper Rotunda each afternoon during Prep Week between noon and 3 p.m. to destress by petting certified therapy dogs. The dogs are here today, Monday, May 4, through Friday, May 8.
Campus Food Drive Continues through Thursday, May 7
The annual United Way of Story County food drive continues through Thursday, May 7. Faculty, staff and students can participate by donating food and non-food items or making a financial contribution. There are 10 drop off locations around campus.
Marginalia
New Planting Project to Bring Rare Species to Iowa State
A new campus initiative led by the Iowa State Student Government will introduce rare and unusual species of trees and shrubs around campus. The project is funded by a $50,000 Green Initiative Fund allocated by StuGov to advance campus biodiversity and offer new opportunities for student learning. Species were chosen through collaboration with experts in forestry, entomology, landscape architecture and horticulture, with key input from Jen Merryman, natural resource ecology and management, and Jeffrey Iles, horticulture.
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.