Ag and Life Sciences Online
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Oct. 31, 2011 No. 675
College News
Lenssen Named Soybean Production Systems Agronomist
Andrew Lenssen joined ISU on Oct. 1 as a soybean systems agronomist with teaching, research and extension responsibilities. Lenssen comes to ISU from Sidney, Mont., where he was a research ecologist and lead scientist for USDA dryland research.
ISU Receives Grant for Food Safety Training
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a grant to ISU to develop a program to train inspectors for the new Food Safety Modernization Act. The Food and Drug Administration will administer the $1.5 million grant over its three-year term. ISU scientists will team with Kansas State University to develop and deliver the training programs through distance education and on-site sessions.
Vision Iowa Program Provides Healthy Return on Investment
A new report by ISU economics faculty and students found that the former Vision Iowa program--which was instituted in 2001 to enhance recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment attractions available across the state--made the state an annual 9.2 percent return on investment in terms of increased sales tax revenue through 2008. Local communities also saw nearly a 1 percent annual return on their investment from the resulting amenities. More
Babcock to Speak at Science Cafe, Nov. 3
Bruce Babcock, economics professor and director of the Biobased Industry Center, will present "Black Gold: Why Iowa Land Prices have Doubled in Value" at the Science Cafe on Thursday, Nov. 3, at Lucullan's Restaurant. The evening will begin with a social gathering at 6:30 p.m., the presentation at 7 p.m., followed by time for questions, answers and discussion. The event is free and all are welcome.
CALS Clearance Book Sale for United Way, Nov. 8
New books have arrived and will be part of the CALS clearance book sale on Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in 142 Curtiss Hall. All proceeds will go to the 2011 ISU United Way Campaign. Books will be sold for 50 cents each or 3 books for $1.
Orders for Holiday Hams Due Nov. 11
The ISU Meat Science Club is selling high quality semi-boneless hams for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Club members trim and prepare each semi-boneless ham for the curing, smoking and cooking process. They are injected with salt, sugar, spices and cure for flavor, smoked for more than two hours with natural hardwood smoke and vacuum packaged for a long refrigerated shelf life. Hams are produced in the Iowa State University Meat Laboratory -- a USDA inspected facility. Hams are $3.50 a pound and sold as whole (12-15 pounds) or half (7-9 pounds) portions. Place an order by calling 4-8294, emailing ISU.Meat.Science.Club@gmail.com or by filling out an order form at the Meat Lab Sales Counter or in 2371 Kildee Hall. The deadline for ordering hams is Nov. 11. Hams will be available to pick up at the Meat Lab Sales counter, located at the north corner of the Kildee Hall atrium. Pick up times are Nov. 15 and 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. for Thanksgiving hams and Dec. 13 and 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. for Christmas hams.
Brenton Center Lunch and Learn, Nov. 16
The Brenton Center's next Lunch and Learn will be Nov. 16 at noon in room 8 Curtiss Hall. Jeff Wolt and A.J. Kenny, agronomy, will discuss how they used Wikipedia in a risk assessment course, having students draft new Wikipedia entries that address elements of risk assessment problem formulation. Pizza and refreshments will be provided. Contact Amy Pilcher at apilcher@iastate.edu or 4-1862, if you plan to attend.
Integrated Crop Management Conference, Nov. 20-Dec. 1
The ISU Integrated Crop Management Conference will be held Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 in the Scheman Continuing Education Building. Conference attendees can choose from 34 different workshops that offer the latest information on crop production and protection technology in Iowa and surrounding states. The conference is hosted by CALS, ISU Extension and the agricultural and biosystems engineering, agronomy, economics, entomology and plant pathology departments.
Nettleton, Standing Tall in His Field
Dan Nettleton, a statistical genomicist and the Laurence H. Baker Chair in Biological Statistics, collaborates with ISU plant and animal scientists and graduate students to design experiments and statistically analyze the results. He works on many scientific investigations, including corn vigor, soybean pathogens, feed intake in swine, salmonella resistance in chickens and crops for bioenergy.
New Web Banner: Britney Heim Shares Her Publishing Experiences
Britney Heim, a senior in agricultural and life sciences education, worked at MaxYield Cooperative last summer in the client relations area. She was involved from start to finish in publishing a magazine and an antique tractor calendar. Go to http://www.ag.iastate.edu to view her profile and those of other students. If you know of students who have an interesting story, please contact Barb McBreen at barbmc@iastate.edu, 4-0707.
PocketDairy Android App Receives Innovation Award
Dairy Records Management Systems introduced the PocketDairy Android App at the World Dairy Expo where it was named one of the top 10 innovative products of the year. PocketDairy Android displays vital cow statistics regarding production, reproduction and udder health. ISU animal science staff involved in Dairy Records Management Systems includes: Greg Palas, director, Marcella Allen, Fonda Darter, Diane Maxwell, Cassie Sawyer, Amy Schindel and Polly Taylor.
Kemin Sponsors Cyclone Football Radio Ads
This fall, Kemin Industries, the nutritional ingredient manufacturer based in Des Moines, is sponsoring radio commercials that promote CALS during Cyclone football games. Six 30-second spots were written about programs or areas in the college that match areas of interest to the company.
Video Available of Crawford Complex Dedication
Harold and Rachel Crawford were honored Oct. 21, in a dedication ceremony for the Harold and Rachel Crawford Agricultural Teacher Education Complex. Nearly 115 donors contributed to renovating the space for the complex on the second floor of Curtiss Hall and part of the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies. A 30-minute video is available that includes remarks by Wade Miller, chair of the department; Wendy Wintersteen, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Murray Wise, an alumnus and contributor to the complex; and Harold Crawford.
CALS Online Auction and ISU/United Way Campaign Update
The online auction sponsored by CALS for the 2011 ISU United Way Campaign ended Oct. 20 and raised $2,075. Thanks to all who donated items, participated in the bidding, and those that gave extra money for your items. As of Oct. 26, the college has raised $46,608, or 75 percent of the total goal of $62,000. Overall ISU pledges and gifts total $252,328, or 78.85 percent of the total goal. The campaign ended Oct. 28 but you may still send in your pledge forms. If you have misplaced your form, go to the United Way website and print out a new form. Questions, contact Carla Persaud at cpersaud@iastate.edu, 4-1823.
CCUR Bulletin Available Online
The September-October 2011 issue of the Center for Crops Utilizations Research Bulletin is now available online.
Deadlines and Reminders
Nov. 18: ISU Beef Nutrition Research Showcase, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Funding Opportunities
Webinar for NIFA AFRI Fellows Program
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture has posted a webinar for potential applicants to the NIFA Fellowship Program. Letters of intent are due Nov. 8.
Solicitation of Public Input on Building a 21st Century Bioeconomy
The U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy is soliciting public input on how best to develop a National Bioeconomy Blueprint with the goal of harnessing biological research innovations to address national challenges in health, food, energy and the environment. The blueprint will identify needs and goals, including strategies to meet grand challenges in lean budget times; commercialization and entrepreneurship; research and development; enhancements of workforce training; regulatory reforms; and bioeconomy public-private partnerships to accelerate innovation. Responses should be emailed to bioeconomy@ostp.gov by Dec. 6. More
NSF Revises Agency Specific Research Terms and Conditions
The National Science Foundation has released an update to Agency Specific Requirements to Research Terms and Conditions, which will take effect Feb. 1, 2012. Summary of significant changes. Complete guidelines, including the revisions.
NSF Revises International Research Terms and Conditions
The National Science Foundation has released an update to International Research Terms and Conditions, which will take effect Feb. 1, 2012. Summary of significant changes. Complete guidelines, including the revisions.
Funding Information, Opportunities and Deadline Reminders
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
Additional information is posted at CALS Funding Resources
Nov. 25 (letter of intent): USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
Nov. 30: NSF and USAID Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research; eligibility limited to current or potential foreign partners on active NSF grants. More
Jan. 20: USDA/NIFA Secondary Ed., Two-Year Postsecondary Ed., and Ag in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program.
Jan. 24: NSF Law and Social Sciences. More
Jan. 25: NSF Promoting Research and Innovation in Methodologies for Evaluation. More
Feb. 1: Chateaubriand Fellowship - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; support for U.S. Ph.D. students to conduct research in France.
Feb. 13: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Innovations for Health: Solutions that Cross Borders.
March 15: Internships at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Sept. 30: DOE FY 2012 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program (amendment); applications accepted continuously.
Communications Kiosk
Verbal vs. Oral
If something is put into words, it is "verbal." Technically, verbal covers both written and spoken utterance. But if you wish to specify that something was conveyed by word of mouth, use "oral." The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003.
Infograzing
Farewell Reception for Holz-Clause Nov. 16
A farewell reception for Mary Holz-Clause, associate vice president for ISU Extension and Outreach will be held Nov. 16, 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Reiman Gardens. A brief program will take place at 4:45 p.m. After more than 25 years at ISU, Holz-Clause has accepted a new position as vice president for Economic Development at the University of Connecticut. She will begin her new role on Dec. 2. Cards and letters can be sent to Lynnette Hauser, 2150 Beardshear, lhauser@iastate.edu.
Internal Voices
Will October be the Driest Month in History?
"Unless some unexpected rainfall event occurs on Monday, October will go down as the driest month in the farm's 18 year history (0.18"). The previous record was set when 0.40 inches was recorded just last year. Average October precipitation would be 2.42" for our area." Bernie Havlovic, superintendent of the ISU Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm near Lewis in southwest Iowa.
Duffy on Corn and Bean Prices
"The way corn and bean prices have pulled up, we just see phenomenal incomes. As long as ethanol remains strong and viable, that source of demand for corn is going to stay there." Mike Duffy, economics, in an article in the Omaha World-Herald on Oct. 30.
Marginalia
Stuff That Defines Us
"A History of the World in 100 Objects," a book published by the BBC and the British Museum, is being released today in the United States. The book documents a project that took 100 curators four years to complete -- to tell the history of the world through 100 objects culled from the British Museum's collections. The result of endless scholarly debates was unveiled, object by chronological object, on a BBC Radio 4 program in early 2010, narrated by Neil MacGregor, director of the museum. More
Students Trained in Preserving Past Offer Help to Texans
Armed with kitty litter, cotton swabs and vulcanized-rubber sponges, a half-dozen graduate students from the University of Texas at Austin set up shop last month in the public library of Bastrop, Texas, a town that was still smoldering from wildfires that consumed more than 1,500 homes. The conservators from the School of Information were hoping that the skills they had learned mending and preserving centuries-old documents would breathe new life into photos and books pulled from the rubble. More
Ag and Life Sciences Online
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Phone: (515) 294-5616
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