CALS Online
Nov. 2, 2026
Top Stories
CALS Student Spends Summer Discovering Wildlife
Alicia Gagnon-Williams, a senior in wildlife and fisheries conservation and ecology, went on three study abroad experiences this past summer to gain more insight into a future career as a wildlife veterinarian. By the end of the summer, Gagnon-Williams had expanded her wildlife-handling experience to include elephants, macaws, howler monkeys and parrots. She listened to the heart and lungs of a lion, used radio telemetry to track animals and saw how certain tree species can affect elephant management.
Research
Researchers Exploring Grape Pomace’s Potential as Sausage Preservative
Researchers led by Aude Watrelot and James Hollis, food science and human nutrition, and Rodrigo Tarté, animal science, are studying grape pomace as an alternative preservative for pork breakfast sausage. An important step is to gauge consumers’ perceived differences between pork sausages, with and without GP added, and the acceptability of the different products.
New Study Looks at Conservation Efforts for Yellow Necklacepod
A recent study from Iowa State University published in the American Society for Horticultural Science provides accessible and effective techniques for the germination and storage of yellow necklacepod, supporting ex situ conservation efforts for this ecologically important coastal plant species.
Teaching and Students
Antique Tractor Club to Hold Fall Tractor Show
The fifth annual Fall Tractor Show is Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lot 10 behind Town Engineering Building, presented by the Antique Tractor Club at Iowa State University. There will be a pedal tractor raffle and free meal (donations appreciated).
New Scholarship Available for Graduate Students in Agronomy
The Graduate Student Awards Committee in agronomy is accepting nominations through Nov. 11 for the newly established Tim and Sharon Glenn Graduate Scholarship in Agronomy. Three awards will be given this fall.
Extension and Outreach
Registration Open for Integrated Crop Management Conference
ISU Extension and Outreach and CALS will host the 37th Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference Dec. 9–10, at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. This year’s conference features 32 workshops covering crop production, pest management, nutrient and soil management and water quality. The early-bird registration deadline is Nov. 16 for $260.
What to Do with Pumpkins After Halloween
According to Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, pumpkins are biodegradable and surprisingly useful even after Halloween. “Whether they end up in the kitchen, compost pile or garden, there are usually better options than throwing them away," he said.
Around the College
Wise Receives Ruth Allen Award
Roger Wise, USDA-Agricultural Research Service and an affiliate professor in plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, received the 2026 Ruth Allen Award from the American Phytopathological Society. He is recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to plant pathology, spanning more than four decades of innovative research in plant immunity, host-pathogen interactions and disease resistance in cereal crops.
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 or Julie Stewart (jstewart@iastate.edu) for additional information.
Calendar
Nov. 3: GDCB Seminar
The genetics, development and cell biology seminar series continues Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 1 p.m. in 1414 Molecular Biology Building. Jeong Hee Kim, mechanical engineering, will present “AI-Powered Quantitative Optical Interrogation of Cells.”
Nov. 3: 3MT Final Competition
The 11th annual 3-Minute Thesis final competition is Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room.
Nov. 19: Soybean Insights Webinar Series
The Iowa Soybean Research Center is hosting a Soybean Insights Webinar Series on the third Thursday of each month, from noon to 1 p.m., November through February. On Nov. 19, Fernando Miguez and doctoral student Victoria Moser, agronomy, will present “Defoliation in Soybeans: When Does Leaf Loss Really Cost Yield?” Registration is available online.
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
Walking Tour Shows Art and Agriculture Growing Hand in Hand
University Museums is holding a crops and cultivation Art Walk on Nov. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. View public art from the Seed Sciences Building to Agronomy Hall and explore how Iowa State’s deep agricultural roots are revealed in the campus landscape.
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.