CALS Online and Dean’s Message
Aug. 10, 2026
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – The calendar has turned to August, which means a rapid increase in activity and preparations… Our recruitment team in the college and departmental advisors have been working diligently throughout the summer, and the number of undergraduate students enrolled for this fall is looking to be slightly higher than last year… I hope you grab a few more days of summer fun (perhaps I will see you at the Iowa State Fair!) before the rush of fall semester…
Top Stories
CALS and the Iowa State Fair – Aug. 13-23
Iowa State will celebrate its past, present and future at the 2026 Iowa State Fair, Aug. 13-23, while highlighting 4-H programs and the College of Veterinary Medicine’s longstanding role at the fair. Themed “Iowa State University, Then.Now.Next,” the exhibit is a visual journey through decades of campus history, the advancements shaping the university today and a peek into the future. The exhibit in the Varied Industries Building is open to fairgoers daily. Listed below are activities at the fair involving CALS faculty, staff and students.
State Fair: Egg-on-a-Stick
The Egg Industry Center will be helping with the egg-on-a-stick booth, which will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the center of the Agricultural Building. The Iowa Egg Council hosts the booth, offering one of the few remaining proteins that are provided to fairgoers free of charge.
State Fair: “I Milked a Cow”
The Dairy Science Club is hosting “I Milked a Cow” daily in the John and Emily Putney Family Cattle Barn. Guests can hand milk a cow from 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. In addition, parlor talks at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. will cover dairy cows, milk production and dairy products.
State Fair: Weed Identification Contest – Aug. 14
The annual ISU Extension and Outreach Weed Identification Contest is Friday, Aug. 14, 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: Two Toms in Open Poultry Show, Aug. 16
The Stanley L. Balloun Turkey Teaching and Research Facility will be exhibiting two toms in the Iowa State Fair Open Poultry Show on Sunday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Poultry/Rabbit Building. In preparation for the show, the turkeys received a beak treatment and toe treatment by Jahni Harn, a former animal science undergraduate and incoming student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State.
State Fair: Iowa Pork Tent, Aug. 16
Faculty and staff from the Department of Animal Science and the Iowa Pork Industry Center will be working the Iowa Pork Tent on Sunday, Aug. 16, from 3-9 p.m.
State Fair: Skillathons – Aug. 16, 18 and 19
Amy Powell, extension program specialist in animal science, is working with four skillathon events at the Iowa State Fair – swine, sheep, beef 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. 16, at 9 a.m. in the Swine Barn, and the sheep skillathon is Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. in the Sheep Barn. The beef skillathon is Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion. The goat skillathon is Aug. 19 at 12:30 p.m. in the Swine Barn.
CALS Alum Works to Save Iowa’s Heritage Horse Breed
Maggie Lupkes (’23 animal science) and fellow American Cream Draft Horse Association members will share all about the American Cream Draft Horse during a spotlight event at the 2026 Iowa State Fair on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Jacobsen Arena. In addition, several American Cream horses will be represented in the Avenue of Breeds west of the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building.
Research
Cellular Sensor Connected to Sex Determination in Turtles also a Growing Focus in Human Health
When most baby turtles hatch, their sex depends on the temperature of the sand or soil where their mother laid her eggs. Warm incubation brings females, while cool nests produce males. Based on a new study led by Nicole Valenzuela, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, a once-ignored cell component — primary cilia, an antenna-like protrusion from most types of animal cells — may help turtle embryos detect that sex-deciding warmth. The cellular sensor is a growing focus of human health research as well.
Book Explores Changes in Attitudes and Assumptions about Crime
A new book co-authored by Matt DeLisi, sociology and criminal justice, examines how changing attitudes and assumptions have influenced public thinking about crime, highlighting a gap between perception and research on chronic offending. This "criminal naïveté," they write, shapes debates on safety, accountability and criminal justice policy.
Teaching and Students
Three Emerging Leaders Named FFAR Fellows
Three Iowa State doctoral students were recently selected for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research 2026-2029 Fellows Program. The fellowship provides support for a three-year program of professional development and career guidance for the next generation of scientists studying food- and agriculture-related sciences in the U.S. and Canada. The Iowa State students selected are:
- Mayowa Aderoju, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology
- Nate Bowser, agronomy
- Oliver Nell, sociology and criminal justice
Iman Receives Outstanding Creative Component Award
Ahmed Iman, a master’s student in the online agronomy program, received the Deborah A. Muenchrath Award, presented annually to an agronomy online graduate student who has completed the most outstanding creative component. Iman’s creative component was titled, “Concentration of CENURO™ Nitrification Inhibitor for Granular Nitrogen Fertilizer.”
College Introduces Outstanding Student in Research Awards
The college has introduced Outstanding Student in Research Awards, established to identify, recognize and highlight CALS’ top undergraduate and graduate student researchers. For 2026–2027, CALS may select up to three undergraduate students, three master’s students and five doctoral students for this distinction. Each recipient will receive a $500 award and be recognized at the CALS Research Day on Oct. 27. The application deadline is Sept. 15.
CALS Student Moves from Iowa Pork Queen to Nation’s Top Young Pork Advocate
Amanda Ostrem, a senior in agricultural communication and international agriculture, placed first in the Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet at the World Pork Expo, held in June at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. She’ll travel to Washington, D.C. in September to attend the National Pork Producers Council Fall Legislative Action Conference. Ostrem also won the title of Iowa’s Pork Queen in 2025, and, in that role, worked with the Iowa Pork Producers Association to advocate for pig farmers.
CALS Student Serves as MGMC’s First Groundskeeping Intern
A well-maintained hospital campus does more than create a positive first impression. Thoughtful outdoor spaces can calm patients, welcome families and provide employees with a refreshing place to step away during a demanding day. This summer, Ella Gebhart, a junior in horticulture, has played a leading role in caring for those spaces as Mary Greeley Medical Center’s first groundskeeping intern.
Extension and Outreach
Applications Open for Fall 2026 Garden Academy
Applications are open for the fall 2026 Garden Academy cohort, a required training for anyone who would like to become an Iowa Master Gardener. Garden Academy will be offered in 34 counties this fall. The application deadline is Aug. 14, with the session beginning Aug. 31.
Deadline is Aug. 19 for Combine University
ISU Extension and Outreach and the Digital Ag Innovation Lab will offer Combine University, a single-day, hands-on training, on three dates – Aug. 24, 25 and 26 – in Boone. Modeled after Planter University, Combine University provides expert instruction to help producers navigate common harvest challenges. Each daily session runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with lunch provided on site. The cost to register is $249 per person, and the deadline to sign up is Aug. 19.
A Day in the Life of an Extension Field Agronomist
Meaghan Anderson, central Iowa field agronomist for ISU Extension and Outreach, has a wide range of roles. From helping farmers, to working closely with researchers on crop management, to in-field data collection and even agribusiness consultation, her days all come back to wanting to help the state flourish.
Solar Farm to Hold Open Houses through September
Iowa State is holding a series of open house events at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University south of Ames. Participants will tour the farm and learn about agrivoltaics — the integration of solar energy and agriculture. Open houses are scheduled through September, with the next scheduled for Friday, Aug. 14. This opportunity is available at no cost to participants, but pre-registration is required online to attend.
Around the College
STORIES Magazine – Fall 2026 Now Available
This issue of the annual publication focuses on stories of “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” within our CALS community. Magazines will be arriving in mailboxes shortly, or you can find all content on the STORIES website. If you don’t receive the magazine and would like a copy for yourself or to share with your network, please email stories@iastate.edu.
New Slate of Economics Professors Hired at Iowa State
Four new faculty members will join the Department of Economics later this month, with a fifth arriving in January 2027. A search for a sixth faculty member will begin this fall, with a focus on candidates who have expertise in agricultural processing. The new hires will have varying levels of Extension or outreach responsibilities to serve the state and stakeholders, in addition to teaching and research roles. The new hires are:
- Rania Lachhab, assistant professor
- Sunghun Lim, associate professor of economics
- Edward Perry, associate professor and Albert Peterson and Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Endowed Chair in Economics
- Zach Raff, assistant professor
- Guang Tian, assistant professor
Partnership with American Farm School in Greece Nears Finish Line
Iowa State and the American Farm School have received approval from the Greek Ministry of Education to establish and operate a partner location in Thessaloniki. The new institution created by the partnership, AFS University of Science and Technology -- University Legal Entity, marks a significant milestone for higher education in Greece. The partnership will leverage the American Farm School's extensive facilities in Thessaloniki, including its state-of-the-art laboratories, educational farm and broad international network of academic and industry partnerships developed over more than a century. Undergraduate programs will begin in the 2026–2027 academic year. All programs will be taught exclusively in English and awarded by Iowa State, pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission and Iowa Board of Regents.
Kaleita Named Fellow of International Academy of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Amy Kaleita, agricultural and biosystems engineering, has been named a fellow of the International Academy of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from the Commission Internationale du Génie Rural. The title is awarded to individuals who “have made and are expected to continue making great contributions to the worldwide activities of CIGR.” The designation is considered a lifetime achievement honor.
Smelser Named Next Executive Director of ICIA
Andrew Smelser has been named the next executive director of the Iowa Crop Improvement Association. ICIA is Iowa's official seed certifying agency and a nonprofit affiliate of CALS.
Leopold Center Releases 2025 Annual Report
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture’s 2025 annual report highlights the center’s updated website, funded research assessing the forage quality of native perennials, leadership of the Wallace Chairs for Sustainable Agriculture and the center’s support for the Graduate Program for Sustainable Agriculture and other conservation education and outreach.
Stock Your Freezer – Meat Lab Selling Beef
The Iowa State University Meat Laboratory is selling beef in sides, which includes a variety of steaks, roasts, specialty cuts, ground beef and more. The beef is frozen, boxed and available for pick up at the Meat Lab. Only six sides are available.
Help CALS Students Dress for Success
CALS Student Services is seeking new or gently used professional and industry-appropriate attire in all sizes and styles as CALS students prepare for internships, career fairs, interviews, conferences and networking events. There will be a donation drop-off location outside of CALS Student Services (20 Curtiss Hall) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept 1-4. All donations need to be clean and in good condition. Contact Katy Griner (kgriner@iastate.edu) with questions.
Calendar
Aug. 18: Retirement Reception for Brian Meyer
A retirement reception for Brian Meyer, associate director for strategic communications with university marketing and communications, is Aug. 18 from 4-6 p.m. in the Maintenance Shop of the Memorial Union. A brief open mic opportunity will begin at approximately 5 p.m. RSVPs are requested by Friday, Aug. 14. Messages to Brian, who is closing out a 36-year career at Iowa State, can be posted online.
Aug. 31: CALS Ice Cream Social
CALS faculty and staff are invited to an ice cream social and chat with interim dean Ruth MacDonald on Aug. 31 from noon to 1 p.m. on the Harl Commons patio.
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 ‘Unsubscribe,’ Not ‘Do Not Contact’
Much of the communication distributed by CALS is sent via iContact. For those retiring or leaving the university, please do not select “Do Not Contact,” which sets in place permanent and irreversible restrictions. Please use “Unsubscribe” instead.
Infograzing
The Smithsonian Needed a Butter Cow, Iowa's Sarah Pratt Got the Call
Of the nearly 250 objects that Mary Savig curated to appear in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s exhibition on state fairs — some a century old and fragile to the touch, others irreplaceable family heirlooms and a few marquee pieces of state history — the butter, in particular, made her anxious. All 800 pounds of it. After five years of researching fairs, Savig and her team knew one of the exhibition’s centerpieces had to be a nod to the Midwestern tradition of butter sculpting. So, for much of the past year they’ve been wrestling details into submission: an HVAC company to custom-make a 360-degree refrigerated display case, the only possible power source in their 1859 building with enough electrical juice to charge the chiller, sourcing the butter, and its sculptor, Iowan Sarah Pratt.
IPPA Presents 1776 Pork Chop Salute During Iowa State Fair
The Iowa Pork Producers Association presents the 1776 Pork Chop Salute – A Taste of America 250 at the Iowa State Fair. On Sunday, Aug. 16, IPPA will give away 1,776 Pork Chops on a Stick™, beginning at 11 a.m. The giveaway is limited to one pork chop per customer and will continue while supplies last.
Discover New Foods at the Iowa State Fair
The 2026 Iowa State Fair has more than 80 new foods from nearly 200 food stands Aug. 13-23 in Des Moines. Four new vendors and five new food stands also will make their debut.
Marginalia
Anheuser-Busch Launches ‘ComBar’ to Celebrate American Farmers
Anheuser-Busch has launched the ComBar – built from a real combine harvester – to signify its commitment to U.S. agriculture and sourcing the highest-quality American-grown ingredients. The ComBar is on a nationwide tour encouraging consumers to “Choose Beer Grown Here” in support of American farmers. It will be at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Aug. 17-23 and at the Farm Progress Show in Boone on Sept. 1-3.
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.