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COLLEGE NEWS
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AG WEEK BEGINS TODAY
Ag Week kicked off today with a barbecue in front of Curtiss Hall. Meat industry career session Meat your Future is set for 6 p.m. in Kildee Hall's Farm Bureau Pavilion, sponsored by the Block and Bridle Club. A debate between Iowa Secretary of Agriculture candidates Bill Northey and Denise O'Brien is scheduled for 6:30 to 9 p.m. in 125 Kildee Hall. On Tuesday, Ag Career Day is the main event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Memorial Union. On Wednesday, Oct. 25, the PSA Club will sponsor “College of Agriculture, A Mix of Majors,” by handing out free trail mix and hot chocolate on central campus from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. An Ag Study Abroad barbecue will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Kildee Hall Farm Bureau Pavilion. Later that night there will be a Halloween costume dance at 8 p.m. at The Zone, sponsored by the Dairy Science Club. The Ag Week Main Event is billed for Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. on central campus with Ag Olympics from 4 to 5 p.m., sponsored by Collegiate FFA; a chili cook-off from 5 to 6 p.m., sponsored by Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences and the Pre-Vet clubs; a barbecue from 5 to 6 p.m. for $3 ($1 with Ag Week t-shirt); mechanical bull riding, sponsored by the Rodeo Club; and hayrack rides at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m., sponsored by the Ag 450 Farm. More details will be forthcoming for The Amazing Race from 3 to 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27, hosted by Ag Ambassadors.
UNITED WAY DRAWING FUNDRAISER ATTRACTS FOOD AND CASH
The College of Agriculture's United Way drawing raised $165 and 17 boxes of nonperishable food. The winner of the drawing for the Dan McCarney autographed football was Karen Jacobson of the Leopold Center. Entomology senior Melinda Thede won the four men's basketball tickets. The food will be donated to the Mid-Iowa Community Action Food Pantry of Ames and the money will go to the United Way of Story County.
NEXT THINK TANK PROGRAM ON ANIMAL WELFARE
The next Think Tank on Animal Agriculture meeting will hear from Anna Butters-Johnson, animal science, on swine well-being. She will talk about animal welfare challenges and how the swine industry is addressing them on Monday, Oct. 30, in the Campanile Room, Memorial Union. The meeting will begin with social tiem at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m. RSVP by noon Friday, Oct. 27, by e-mailing Julie Roberts, jrober@iastate.edu. Cost of the buffet dinner will be $18, which is payable at the door.
AGRONOMY MAJOR CROWNED HOMECOMING KING
Nathan Katzer, a senior in agronomy from Creston, was chosen as the ISU Homecoming 2006 king of the Cardinal Court. He was picked from five finalists who were evaluated based on academic record, campus involvement, goals and objectives and their responses to two essay questions. Katzer and the other four finalists was recognized throughout the weekend's homecoming festivities. He also will make an appearance in the Veishea 2007 parade and at a local ISU Alumni Association outreach event this year.
MARTIN TO BE HONORED THIS WEEK AT NATIONAL FFA CONVENTION
Robert Martin, chair of agricultural education and studies, has been awarded the Honorary American FFA Degree for his service to agricultural education and the FFA. This week he will travel to Indianapolis to participate in the degree ceremonies at the National FFA Convention. Coincidentally, 40 years ago, Martin earned the American Farmer Degree as a student of agricultural education and an Indiana state FFA vice president.
IOWA STATE PLANT PATHOLOGIST HONORED FOR SOYBEAN RUST WORK
An Iowa State plant pathologist has been recognized for his role in helping the U.S. soybean industry better manage the risk of soybean rust. X.B. Yang is a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Asian Soybean Rust Team. Team members were presented a 2006 USDA Secretary's Honor Award during a ceremony Friday, Oct. 20, in Washington, D.C.
IOWA ORGANIC CONFERENCE SET FOR NOV. 20
Iowa State will host the sixth annual Iowa Organic Conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 20, at the Scheman Building. The deadline for early registration is Nov. 6. Sponsors include ISU Extension,_ Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, _Practical Farmers of Iowa, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Educational Services and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. More: http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic06/home.html
BORLAUG POSTER COMPETITION WINNERS PICKED
Eric Nonnecke, food science and human nutrition, and Lee Beck, horticulture, won the undergraduate competition in the fifth annual Norman Borlaug Lectureship Poster Competition. Their winning poster was titled “Enhanced Student Learning of Agriculture and Nutrition through a School Garden Project in Namasagali, Kamuli District, Uganda.” In the graduate competition, Emmanuel Byamukama, plant pathology, was first with the poster “The Within-Field Temporal and Spatial Spread of Bean Pod Mottle Virus in Soybean.” Qi Xu, food science and human nutrition, was second with “Phytate-rich Foods May Prevent the Progression of Parkinson's Disease - Cell Culture Studies Nutrition.” Xianai Wu, food science and human nutrition, was third with “Development of a New Biomonitoring Approach to Deoxynivalenol Exposure in Humans.”
ENTREPRENEURSHIP GRANT PROPOSALS DUE NOV. 15
Up to $15,000 in grant funds are available for College of Agriculture faculty or staff interested in agricultural entrepreneurship education. The ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship announced a one-time grant opportunity for Iowa State faculty and staff to assist in the advancement of entrepreneurship within colleges at Iowa State. The Pappajohn Center will award single grants of $5,000 with a required 2 to 1 match of funds. For College of Agriculture faculty/staff who apply, the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative will provide the matching funds, increasing the level of support up to $15,000. Faculty/staff may submit more than one grant proposal. The deadline for proposal submission is Nov. 15. Contact: Stacey Noe, 4-4945 or snoe@iastate.edu. More: http://www.entrepreneurship.ag.iastate.edu/
ENTREPRENEURSHIP TOPIC OF COLLEGE ADMINISTRATORS' MEETING
College administrators will meet Oct. 30 to discuss the role of entrepreneurship at Iowa State. The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative is sponsoring the session that will include an introduction of the general concepts of entrepreneurship, tours of businesses at the ISU Research Park that involve faculty and conversations with several people inside and outside the university who are involved in the process. The discussion will attempt to answer the question whether an entrepreneurial education makes more and better entrepreneurs.
EXTENSION TO OFFER PROGRAM ON ETHANOL INDUSTRY IMPACTS
ISU Extension will offer "Perspectives on Present and Future Corn-Based Ethanol Industry" from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 13. The program will address the current and potential economic impacts associated with the corn-based ethanol industry. Campus-based ISU faculty or staff interested in attending can do so in Room 1020 in the ISU Extension 4-H Building. This room is located on the east end of the building. It will also be offered in ISU Extension county offices. A current list of those counties and more information about the program can be found online. Pre-registration is required, but there is no fee to attend. To pre-register, send an email to hpeters@iastate.edu with "Ethanol Program Registration" in the subject line. Those attending are welcome bring their lunch or purchase a pizza lunch onsite.
NEW DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR PLANT RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES
W. Allen Miller has been named director of the Center for Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses at Iowa State. The center is part of the Plant Sciences Institute. Miller is a professor of plant pathology and of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology.
IOWA STATE COMPETING FOR BP BIOFUELS RESEARCH LABORATORY
A partnership of the University of California, San Diego, Iowa State University and the J. Craig Venter Institute will compete for BP's $500 million Energy Biosciences Institute.
CIAG RESEARCH GRANT OPPORTUNITIES: DEADLINE DEC. 15
The Center for Integrated Animal Genomics is accepting proposals for two research grant opportunities funded by the College of Agriculture/Experiment Station. The two programs are the Research Infrastructure Grant Program and the Research Support Grant Program. These programs continue CIAG's efforts to encourage collaboration among faculty and to enhance research competitiveness in integrated animal genomics. The programs will provide funding for infrastructure and personnel needed for innovative and significant research. CIAG faculty outside the College of Agriculture may apply for these programs as long as the proposed use of funds meets the desired objectives. The application deadline for both grants is Dec. 15. Information about the two grant opportunities may be found on CIAG's website. Questions may be directed to ciag@iastate.edu.
PORK PRODUCERS TO PARTICIPATE IN FARROWING CARETAKER GROUP
Swine producers with farrowing operations are invited to participate in the Farrowing Caretaker Interest Group being formed in Iowa. The interest group is sponsored by ISU Extension, Iowa Pork Industry Center and the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
TWO STUDENTS RECEIVE WORLD FOOD PRIZE AWARDS
Two Iowa State University students have been honored with World Food Prize awards for their work as Borlaug-Ruan International Interns in the summer of 2005. Emma Flemmig, a junior from Glidden majoring in genetics and agriculture, and Rachael Cox, a sophomore from Ames majoring in agronomy, received their awards at a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol building Oct. 19.
DEADLINE & REMINDERS
Oct. 25: Ag Study Abroad barbecue, 5:30 p.m., Kildee Hall Farm Bureau Pavilion
Oct. 27: Horticulture Club apple sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Beardshear Hall
Oct. 28: Horticulture Club apple sale, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Reiman Gardens
Oct. 29: Horticulture Club apple sale, noon to 7 p.m., Reiman Gardens
Nov. 15: Deadline for Distance Education Grant proposals, more: http://www.brenton.iastate.edu
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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WHY E-MAILS ARE EASILY MISUNDERSTOOD
Researchers have identified three major problems with email communications. First, e-mail lacks cues like facial expression and tone of voice. That makes it difficult for recipients to decode meaning. Second, the prospect of instantaneous communication creates an urgency that pressures emailers to think and write quickly, which can lead to carelessness. Finally, the inability to develop personal rapport over email makes relationships fragile in the face of conflict. In effect, email cannot adequately convey emotion. A recent study by professors Justin Kruger of New York University and Nicholas Epley of the University of Chicago focused on how well sarcasm is detected in electronic messages. To avoid miscommunication, emailers need to look at what they write from the recipient's perspective, Epley said. One strategy: Read it aloud in the opposite way you intend, whether serious or sarcastic. If it makes sense either way, revise. Or, don't rely so heavily on email. Because emails can be ambiguous, "criticism, subtle intentions, emotions are better carried over the phone," he added. (The Christian Science Monitor, http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0515/p13s01-stct.html)
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INFOGRAZING
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SUSTAINABILITY WEBCAST WEDNESDAY
The ISU Council on Sustainability will observe Campus Sustainability Day Wednesday, Oct. 25, by hosting a webcast titled, “Where is Your Campus on the Continuum of Integrated Sustainability Planning.” The session will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Cardinal Room, Memorial Union.
SWANDER TO TALK ABOUT FOOD AND SPIRIT WEDNESDAY
Iowa State's 2006 Distinguished Arts and Humanities Scholar Mary Swander will discuss her book in progress, "Spirit and Food: From Wonder Bread to Awe and Wonder," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, in the Great Hall, Memorial Union. It's part of the Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities' "Places, Peoples and Spatial
Practices" series.
NATIONAL SOYBEAN RUST SYMPOSIUM NEXT MONTH
The American Phytopathological Society is hosting the 2006 National Soybean Rust Symposium Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 in St. Louis, Mo. The symposium will to bring together relevant sectors of the soybean community to review the soybean rust situation in 2006, discuss what has been learned through research and experience over the past few years, and provide a forum for networking and visioning.
HARVEY PRIZE NOMINATIONS DUE NOV. 1
The Harvey Prize is awarded annually in a variety of disciplines within the categories of science & technology and human health. Nominations are being accepted for the 2007 prize. The application deadline is Nov. 1.
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EXTERNAL VOICES
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KETTERING ON PROBLEM-SOLVING
“A problem well-stated is a problem half solved.”
--Charles Kettering, 1876-1958, farmer, teacher, mechanic, engineer, scientist, inventor and social philosopher.
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MARGINALIA
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COMMUNITIES, FARMERS TO BE TRAINED IN TERRORISM PREVENTION
The University of Tennessee is creating a new center to train communities and farmers in protecting the nation's food supply from terrorists. The Center for Agriculture and Food Security and Preparedness will be funded with a $2 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security to address safeguards that can be applied across the agricultural spectrum - from crops to dairies to meat processors, university officials announced last Monday. "We will be training industry folks, in particular, to assess their own facilities for vulnerability to someone coming in and intentionally contaminating their product," said Sharon Thompson, center director. (Associated Press, Oct. 17)
Next issue: Oct. 30
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AG ONLINE
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EDITOR
Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
SUBSCRIBE
Ag Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag Online subscribe" to edadcock@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag Online unsubscribe."
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