CALS Online
Aug. 24, 2026
Top Stories
Iowa Environmental Mesonet Serves State for 25 Years
The Iowa Environmental Mesonet website is the central hub for all things weather-related in Iowa with a reach far beyond the state. The most-frequented website at Iowa State, the IEM averages 230 million daily website requests from individuals, business and other weather platforms that use its datasets for everything from precision farming apps to local TV weather forecasts. Daryl Herzmann, agronomy, who started working for the IEM project as an undergraduate research assistant in 2001, has become the IEM’s managing guru. The IEM’s 25th anniversary was recently celebrated with many of those who have been most involved through the years, including (left to right): Dennis Todey, Agricultural Research Service; Dave Flory, earth, atmosphere and climate; Herzmann, Rick Cruse and Gene Takle (professor emeritus), agronomy; and Brian Gelder, agricultural and biosystems engineering. (Photo by Erin Hodgson, Iowa State University)
Research
Research Offers High Hopes for Tallgrass Crop
Andy VanLoocke, agronomy and 2025 recipient of the Raymond and Mary Baker Agronomic Excellence Award, is studying whether miscanthus could be both sustainable and profitable for producers to grow, offering an alternative crop to soybeans and corn and potentially opening new marketplaces. He is also connecting with industry partners interested in practical applications of miscanthus — as a tool for soil health and erosion, a biodegradable product material or animal bedding.
Data Available through Bioeconomy Institute
The Bioeconomy Institute hosts the SILPH (Scientific Information Launching Perennial Horizons) database for sharing, documenting and preserving data from agroecosystem and processing systems research. A full listing of public datasets with detailed metadata and links to publications in data repositories is available on the Bioeconomy Institute website.
Teaching and Students
Building a Network to Bring Authentic Research Experience into the Classroom
What do you get when you bring together tropical biology researchers, educators and software developers? Interactive and immersive learning modules for students. Ann Russell, natural resource ecology and management, has spent the past five years leading an effort to create online learning modules students can use to study tropical ecology. Called the Online Content for Experiential Learning of Tropical Systems (OCELOTS) network, the group includes individuals from across the world who combine their expertise to create the modules.
Haas Scholarship Expands Study Abroad Opportunities for Culinary Food Science Students
From gelato made with fruit grown steps away to rooms filled with thousands of aging Parmigiano Reggiano wheels, culinary food science students experienced food at its source during For the Love of Food and Italy, a two-week study abroad course. Several received support from the new Haas study abroad scholarship.
Videos Help Introduce Students to the Pathways Program
The CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program has released videos that introduce students to the concept of “Lead with your diploma. Win with your skills.” The Pathways program is built for all CALS students and offers short, focused learning experiences known as micro-credentials that help sharpen the skills employers value most. The videos, titled “What is CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership” and “Why participate in CALS Pathways” can be shown in classrooms, learning communities, club meetings, career and professional development meetings and more.
Turning Passion into Profession: A Career in the Equine Industry
Equine education has been part of Iowa State since 1870, making the Horse Barn one of the university’s longest-running hands-on teaching operations. Today, students gain practical experience in animal care, training, breeding and farm management while working with horses at every stage of life. Jenna Shahan (‘26 animal science) worked at the Horse Barn throughout college and completed an internship at a thoroughbred farm in Kentucky, caring for mares and foals during breeding season. After graduating in May, she returned to the farm as a foreman.
Extension and Outreach
Landowners Asked to Help Track Monarch Migration
Iowa landowners are asked to help document the monarch migration as thousands of butterflies make their journey south to Mexico this fall. Researchers with the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium ask for assistance identifying areas where monarchs rest in clusters, like trees and sheltered areas, when they funnel through Iowa during their trip.
New Resource Helps Navigate the Economics of Biorenewable Feedstocks
ISU Extension and Outreach’s Ag Decision Maker has released a new resource to help Iowa producers evaluate their role in the emerging market of bio-based products. The publication, “The Cost of Producing Herbaceous Feedstocks for Biomass and Biorenewable Products,” along with its accompanying digital decision tool, provides a detailed economic framework for the production and delivery of biomass.
Vendor Opportunities Available for ISU Local Food Festival, Oct. 14
Vendor opportunities are available to local farm and food businesses, community organizations, Iowa State departments and affiliated organizations, and student organizations to participate in the ISU Local Food Festival on Oct. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on central campus. There is no fee to participate.
Around the College
Peace Corps Prep Undergraduate Certificate Program Renewed
Peace Corps Prep, an undergraduate certificate program in the global resource systems major, will continue to be offered at Iowa State as the result of a renewed strategic partnership between the Peace Corps and Iowa State. The program combines targeted coursework with hands-on experience, building the competencies needed to be effective Peace Corps volunteers.
Rosenbloom Co-Edits Book on the First Industrial Revolution and Global Divergence
Joshua Rosenbloom, economics, has co-edited a book titled “The First Industrial Revolution and Global Divergence: Steam Power and Uneven Paths to Growth.” It sheds new light on a debated question in economic history: ‘Why did Britain lead the way in the First Industrial Revolution?’ by examining Britain’s technological breakthroughs, especially steam power, in a global comparative context.
Rare Tree, Bush Species Coming to Iowa State’s Campus
With more than 12,000 trees, Iowa State’s campus is recognized as one of the country’s most beautiful colleges. This summer, an additional 50-60 trees will be added to that count, all of which are considered “rare” species. The project is a collaboration between FP&M and Iowa State’s Student Government. Delaney Graef, a forestry student, worked with Rhonda Martin, FP&M, on this project before graduating in May.
Seed Science Center Supports Hurricane Recovery
The Seed Science Center stepped in with specialized laboratory skills when access to good vegetable seed became a major concern during Jamaica's recovery from Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. The Category 5 hurricane severely damaged agricultural production on the island. But there were substantial logistical, regulatory and seed-testing difficulties connecting donated seeds with the farmers who needed them.
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. 29: Monarch Magic 2026
Celebrate the beginning of the fall monarch migration at Ada Hayden Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ada Hayden is a known stopover site for migrating monarchs. Pick up an activity passport on arrival and visit all the monarch stations.
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.
Sept. 1: Pathways Kickoff Open House
The Pathways Innovation and Leadership program is holding an open house on Sept. 1 from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Curtiss Hall Harl Commons. Faculty and staff are encouraged to invite students to celebrate the start of the semester and explore their future with the Pathways program.
Sept. 8: Don Beitz Retirement Celebration
A retirement celebration for Don Beitz is Sept. 8 from 4-6 p.m. at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. Beitz, a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences in animal science and biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, has had a 60-year career at Iowa State. RSVP by Sept. 1.
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
Registration Open for 2026 Borlaug Dialogue
The World Food Prize Foundation has opened registration for the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, Oct. 20-22 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The theme is Before Hunger Wins.
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.