CALS Online
Sept. 28, 2026
Top Stories
Brabec Brings ‘Real World’ Lessons to the Classroom
Dan Brabec, horticulture and former owner of Coes Floral and Gifts, brings many real-world lessons into his classroom, where students quickly learn that floral design is about far more than simply arranging flowers. Through hands-on projects, students learn how to plan events, communicate with clients and execute designs under real-world constraints. By breaking down costs, flowers, labor and overhead, students gain a clearer understanding of what it takes to run a successful business, both in and out of the floral industry.
Research
Kerns Part of Multistate Team Recognized for Work to Improve Livestock Reproduction
Karl Kerns, animal science, is part of an interdisciplinary team recognized with agInnovation's national 2026 Excellence in Multistate Research Award for collaborative work to improve reproductive performance in cattle and sheep. The multistate project brings together scientists from land-grant institutions across the country to address reproductive inefficiencies, considered to be the greatest constraint on the profitability of U.S. livestock systems.
Roundtable Seeks Faculty Interested in Water Research
The Office of the Vice President for Research is holding a Research and Innovation Roundtable for faculty across campus who would like to help shape Iowa State’s future in water research. Register by Friday, Oct. 2, to participate in the “Catalyzing Iowa State’s Water Research Future” roundtable on Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Alumni Center Ballroom.
Teaching and Students
Students Encouraged to Submit Abstracts for 2026 Borlaug Poster Competition
Poster abstracts are now being accepted for the 23rd annual Norman Borlaug Lecture Poster Competition for Graduate and Undergraduate Students. The competition will take place on Oct. 20 in the Memorial Union South Ballroom, prior to the Norman Borlaug Lecture featuring 2026 Borlaug Field Award recipient Pamela Afokpe. Submitted poster abstracts should describe work or projects in the general area of world issues, including food, agriculture, climate, nutrition, economies, technology and more. To submit a poster abstract, complete the Borlaug Poster Competition submission form by Oct. 5 at 11:59 p.m.
Passion for Pet Health Becomes Successful Startup
Isaac White, a graduate student in meat science, used the resources from CYstarters to turn his concept of a pet nutrition company into a viable business. Bark & Grille is still in the development phase. But as a first step, he's launching GummyPaws, a line of daily soft chews formulated with ingredients that support joint health, skin and coat health, and cognition.
Landscape Club to Hold Design Session Oct. 10
The Landscape Club is holding a student design session on Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Horticulture Hall. Sessions include a basic site overview, plant recommendations and a landscape perspective drawing. Each one-hour session is $160. Slots are limited and are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. The event is a fundraiser to support the club’s participation in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.
Save The Date – CALS Career Day Oct. 13
CALS faculty and staff are invited to the fall 2026 CALS Career Day on Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lied Athletic Recreation Center. Connect and network with more than 250 employers that hire student and alumni talent. Employers interested in attending can register in CyHire or visit the Career Day website for more information. For questions, contact Katy Griner at kgriner@iastate.edu.
Celebrate Student Scholars During CALS Research Day
Celebrate the research of undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars during CALS Research Day on Oct. 27, from 12:30-5 p.m. at the Student Innovation Center. Students are invited to present their research through a poster presentation. The submission portal closes Oct. 13.
Extension and Outreach
Share the Road Safely this Harvest Season
Harvest season is underway, and large farm equipment is sharing the roads with everyday traffic. ISU Extension and Outreach is urging all drivers to use caution on Iowa’s roads this fall. Large farm equipment, including combines, grain carts and tillage implements, have significant blind spots. Drivers should account for these blind spots and judge time and distance carefully before attempting to pass. Because farm equipment frequently slows on hills and around curves, drivers should reduce speed and keep a safe following distance. Drivers should also keep in mind that this equipment is often wide, long and unable to move fully onto the shoulder.
Farm Safety Needs Evolve as Family Members Grow Up and Grow Older
ISU Extension and Outreach is reminding families that farm safety needs to evolve as family members grow up and grow older. For children, getting involved in farm work means matching tasks to age, ability and understanding of risk, then adding responsibility as they're ready to handle it. The same principle applies as farmers age. Small changes – an extra step into a tractor, better ladder access, updated cattle-handling facilities – can help older farmers stay safely involved as strength, balance and reaction time change.
Extension Shares ATV Safety Tips for the Farm
ISU Extension and Outreach is reminding drivers of all-terrain vehicles to operate with safety in mind. ATVs are a convenient way to scout fields, check livestock and move tools and equipment, but they are also involved in a number of farm safety incidents, especially among young riders.
Around the College
New ELA Cohort Lends Expertise to Campus Initiatives
The 2026-27 edition of Iowa State's Emerging Leaders Academy has begun. The cohort meets monthly through the academic year, with sessions focused on topics related to leadership theory and practice, communication, budgeting and resource management, performance management, leading at Iowa State, and ethical leadership. Members from CALS departments include: Amy Burgin, ecology, evolution and organismal biology; Carly Manz, genetics, development and cell biology; and Geetu Tuteja, genetics, development and cell biology.
Listening Sessions Scheduled for CALS Dean Search
The CALS dean search committee will host two listening sessions for faculty, staff and students to share their feedback on the college, preferred attributes of its next endowed dean, and to answer any questions on the search process:
- Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 8 a.m. in 127 Curtiss Hall
- Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. virtual session
CALS Award Nominations Due Nov. 17
Nominations for the 2027 awards cycle are due to the college by Nov. 17 through the online submission portal. 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. Contact your departmental awards committee chair (listed below) or Julie Stewart (jstewart@iastate.edu) for additional information.
- ABE – Matt Helmers
- AGEDS – Amber Rice
- Agronomy – Ken Moore
- Animal Science – Don Beitz
- BBMB – Don Beitz
- EEOB – Brian Wilsey
- Economics – Rabail Chandio
- FSHN – Melha Mellata
- GDCB – Mohan Gupta
- Horticulture – Adam Thoms
- NREM – Lisa Schulte Moore
- PPEM – Steve Whitham
- SOCJ – Katie Dentzman and Daniel Butler
- Statistics – Karin Dorman
In Memoriam: Craig McEnany
Craig McEnany, CALS student services coordinator, passed away Sept. 14 after an unexpected and brief battle with cancer. He was 70. McEnany taught agricultural education for 48 years. After retiring from Des Moines Area Community College in 2017, he worked in the CALS Student Services office from 2018 until Aug. 31. A service was held Sept. 19.
Calendar
Sept. 30: Prairie Strips’ Contributions to Flood Mitigation
Betret Eustace, a doctoral candidate in civil engineering, will present “Assessing the Flood Mitigation Potential of Prairie Strips,” for the Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at noon.
Oct. 1: Feeding the World Seminar Series
The Feeding the World seminar series continues Thursday, Oct. 1, from 3:40-4:55 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. Andrew Philbrook, director of Africa and Latin America Operations and General Counsel for Global Volunteers, will present “Reaching Children’s Potential.”
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
Homecoming Week Includes Food on Campus
Homecoming 2026, "The Future is Cardinal and Gold," began yesterday, Sept. 27, and runs through the home football game against West Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 3 (11 a.m. kickoff). A list of all Homecoming events is available online.
President Cook’s Installation Scheduled for Oct. 1
David Cook will be installed as Iowa State’s President on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 9:30 a.m. in Stephens Auditorium, with a reception to follow. A livestream option will be available for those unable to attend in person. Please RSVP online.
Tearoom Celebrates 100 Year Anniversary with Open House
The Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom in 23A MacKay Hall will celebrate its 100 year anniversary at an open house on Friday, Oct. 2, from 3-5 p.m. Iowa State’s student-run restaurant is a learning laboratory where students in hospitality management, event management, dietetics and culinary food science learn by doing.
National Academies Release New Edition of Guide to Responsible Research
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released an update of “On Being a Scientist: A Guide to the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research.” This fourth edition reflects the evolution of the scientific enterprise since the last version in 2009 by including new topics such as research security and responsible collaboration. It introduces students and early-career researchers across disciplines and sectors to the fundamental values that guide responsible research. The report was mandated by Congress.
Marginalia
Celebrating 100 Years of the Homecoming Queen Cow
“The year was 1926… I was actually a bit of a celebrity in my barn – it's embarrassing, really. I had just set a world record for butterfat production. I was a professional, a producer and a proud member of the Ohio State dairy herd,” remembers Maudine, the 1926 Ohio State Homecoming Queen Cow. “Apparently, the race for homecoming queen had turned into a mess of ballot-stuffing and voting irregularities… Anymoo, while the rest of the university was arguing over who should wear the crown, a few students in the College of Agriculture had a better idea. They were tired of the politics… The Ag students didn't just nominate me; they campaigned for me… When the votes were finally counted… I won by a landslide with over 12,000 votes. The university officials were stunned. They tried to figure out how a Holstein could possibly reign, but the students had spoken.”
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.