CALS Online and Dean’s Message
Sept. 14, 2026
Top Stories
New Demonstration Site to Spotlight Water-Quality Best Practices
With help from a $1 million federal grant, Iowa State is developing the Watershed Innovation Farm – a demonstration site for showcasing nature-based water-quality measures such as saturated buffers, bioreactors and wetlands. Edge-of-field practices highlighted by the Watershed Innovation Farm will be clustered near the ISU Dairy Farm about 2 miles south of Ames. Several projects southwest of the dairy farm are already in place, including two saturated buffers and six bioreactors that feed into Walnut Creek. Over the next year, wetlands and grassed waterways will be installed northeast of the dairy. A model of sustainable woodlands management will sit a little farther north, on about 75 acres of wooded university land near the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex.
Research
Global Approaches to Water Quality Theme for INRC Fall Seminar Series
Nutrient reduction approaches around the world are the focus of the fall 2026 Water Quality Research Seminar series hosted by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center. The sessions will feature scientists who have been leaders in developing, improving and tracking the progress of nutrient reduction practices in Latvia, Denmark, New Zealand and the United States. The first three sessions will be held virtually on the second Wednesday of each month, September through November, from 3:10-4 p.m. The fourth seminar will be a hybrid meeting on Dec. 8 from 3:10-4 p.m., with an in-person option in room 1306 Elings Hall. Sessions will be recorded and posted to the INRC website, with speakers’ permission.
Sept. 15 is Application Deadline for 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.
Teaching and Students
Agricultural Education Team Receives Teaching-Based Research Grant
Skyler Rinker, Shuyang Qu and Fally Mamanuka-Kanchewa, agricultural education and studies, received one of eight university Miller Faculty Fellowship program grants for the 2026-27 academic year. The project, “Practice with AI Audiences Before Live Presentation: Assessing PitchVantage as a Tool for Building Presentation Confidence and Competence,” will use software to provide students with automated feedback on presentation delivery and content using responsive AI audiences, which reduces logistical barriers and anxiety that comes with looking for and practicing with real audiences.
Animal Science Student Awarded Iowa Pork Foundation Graduate Fellowship
Elizabeth Due, a third-year doctoral student in animal science, has been selected to receive the Nelda Christian Iowa Pork Foundation Graduate Fellowship, along with Emma Zwart in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Due’s doctoral research seeks to improve the resilience and performance of nursery pigs.
Seed Science Center Accepting Applications for ‘Hunger Fighter’ Scholarship
The Seed Science Center is accepting applications for the 2026 annual David Lambert “Hunger Fighter” scholarship, to be awarded to one CALS sophomore or junior who demonstrates a strong commitment to seed science, global food security and childhood nutrition. Applications are due by Sept. 25 at 5 p.m.
Culinary Science Club Presents Sushi Workshop
The Culinary Science Club is offering a Sushi Workshop on Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. in 117 MacKay Hall. Participants will learn about sushi styles and techniques and make fresh veggie sushi rolls. The workshop fee is $45 and space is limited.
Summer Internship Spent Cooking in the Mountains
Erin Renshaw, a senior in dietetics, was a culinary intern at the Rod and Connie French Conservation Education Camp near Missoula, Montana, this summer. This is the fourth year the camp has had a culinary food science or dietetics student intern. Previously, Jennifer Schieltz, camp director, natural resource ecology and management, had hired temporary seasonal workers to cook for the students. The partnership she formed with the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition to provide interns has proven beneficial not only for the campers, but also for the student interns.
Iowa State Alum Creates One-of-a-Kind Coffee Creamer
Brianna McBride (’22 dairy science, food science) joined Horizon Family Brands as an associate scientist a little over a year ago. Her first task was to create a seasonal creamer to add to Horizon Organic’s coffee creamer line-up – and have it ready to hit market shelves ahead of this year’s pumpkin spice latte frenzy. She and her team created a Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll creamer, which is in stores now.
Extension and Outreach
New Resources Help Farmers Protect Operations Against Digital and Power Disruptions
Managing Your Farm's Technology Systems Risk is a new four-part resource series released by ISU Extension and Outreach’s Ag Decision Maker. It's designed to help agricultural producers identify and address technological vulnerabilities before an emergency strikes.
Iowa Home Gardener Course Now Offered in New On-Demand Format
The ISU Extension and Outreach Master Gardener Program will now offer Garden Academy on-demand year-round for Iowa Home Gardener trainees. Garden Academy serves as the core statewide horticulture training for all Iowa Master Gardener volunteers and helps participants build a strong foundation in horticulture and practical gardening skills.
On-Farm Forestry Field Guide Released
The On-Farm Forestry Field Guide for Iowa has been published by Iowa Learning Farms and is available at no cost. The guide covers tree-centric topics and provides detailed advice on approaches to forest management. It also highlights on-farm benefits ranging from windbreaks and erosion control to crop trees and high-value timber production.
Around the College
Schulte Moore Receives Big 12 Faculty of the Year Award
Lisa Schulte Moore, natural resource ecology and management and interim associate vice president for research, was named Iowa State’s recipient of the Big 12's 2026-27 Faculty of the Year Award. One faculty member from each of the Conference’s 16 member institutions is recognized for excellence in innovation and research.
Lonergan Named Topel Endowed Chair in Meat Science
Steven Lonergan, a Morrill Professor of animal science, was named the inaugural holder of the David G. Topel and Jay-lin Jane-Topel Endowed Chair in Meat Science during a medallion ceremony on Aug. 31. The endowed chair was established to strengthen research and education in meat science.
Hora Named 2026 Emerging Iowa Leader Awardee
Mitchell Hora (’17 agronomy, agricultural systems technology) was presented the 2026 Emerging Iowa Leader Award during the annual CALS Alumni BBQ on Sept. 5. Hora started Continuum Ag 10 years ago as an agricultural consulting company, offering farmers soil sampling and soil fertility recommendations. It later expanded into soil data management, focusing on the physical and biological aspects of soil. Now, Hora and his team are all-in on helping farmers obtain their Carbon Intensity score so they can get the most from the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.
CALS Award Nominations Due Nov. 17
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recognizes the excellence and dedication of its faculty and staff through the conferring of college awards. Award descriptions and nomination guidelines are found on the college website. Of special note: the Rossmann Manatt Faculty Development Award recipient will be from CALS this year. This award recognizes a tenured faculty member who has demonstrated an exceptional level of creativity and productivity in scholarship, teaching and service, and who shows great promise of continuing such achievement. Nominations for the 2027 awards cycle are due to the college by Nov. 17 through the online submission portal. Nominations will be reviewed in December, and award recipients will be notified in January. Awardees will be honored during the annual CALS Awards Program in the spring. Contact your departmental awards committee or Julie Stewart (jstewart@iastate.edu) for additional information.
In Memoriam: Edward Braun
Edward Braun, professor emeritus in plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, died Aug. 19. He was 76. Braun enjoyed a long career at Iowa State, where he conducted research on disease resistance in plants and assisted colleagues with microscopy. He was an award-winning teacher, recognized for adopting new techniques in the classroom.
Calendar
Sept. 15: GDCB Seminar
The genetics, development and cell biology seminar series continues Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 1 p.m. in 1414 Molecular Biology Building. Shijiao Huang, Kansas State University, will present “Neural and Metabolic Regulation of Stress Resistance and Longevity.”
Sept. 15: Uncovering Creative Avenues in Academia
The plant pathology, entomology and microbiology seminar series continues Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 3:10 p.m. in 1330 ATRB. Madeline Henrickson, PPEM, will present “The Road Less Traveled: Uncovering Creative Avenues in Academia.”
Sept. 17: Feeding the World Seminar Series
The Feeding the World seminar series continues Thursday, Sept. 17, from 3:40-4:55 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. Maria Wurzinger, animal science, will present “Community-Based Livestock Breeding Programs: Contribution to Local Food Security.”
Sept. 24: CALS Study Abroad Fair
CALS will hold its annual study abroad fair on Sept. 24, from 2-4 p.m. on central campus. Program directors will be available to talk with students interested in study abroad or Study USA travel courses.
Sept. 24: Peace Corps Prep Meeting
Students can learn about the Peace Corps Prep Program at Iowa State during a Peace Corps Prep meeting Sept. 24, at 5:30 p.m. in 110 Horticulture Hall. Claudale Daniels, Peace Corps Office of Volunteer Entry and Return, will present about Peace Corps volunteer service and information about the Peace Corps application process. Light refreshments will be provided. All Iowa State students are welcome. Questions about the event can be directed to Catherine Swoboda, Iowa State Peace Corps Prep Program co-coordinator, cswoboda@iastate.edu
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
Retention Efforts Support Fall Enrollment of 30,772
Iowa State University’s fall enrollment reflects its commitment to helping students earn their degree with a one-year retention rate of 88.3% and record two-year retention of 82.9%. Iowa State’s total enrollment of 30,772 includes a first-year class of 5,872 students.
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.