Faculty and Staff News

Deal Lecture to focus on importance of innovation in agriculture

Al Tank, ag and food entrepreneur, investor and consultant based in Bethesda, Maryland, will present the 2023 William K. Deal Leadership Lecture Sept. 27, at Iowa State University.

Smith announced as Emerging Iowa Leader Award recipient

Martha Smith (’04 agricultural business, international agriculture) was presented Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 2023 Emerging Iowa Leader Award at the annual CALS BBQ on Sept. 2. This honor is given to individuals 40 years of age or younger who live or work in Iowa and demonstrate high potential for future professional growth.

Ag 450 Farm to celebrate 80 years of progress

This year marks the 80^th anniversary of the Ag 450 Farm at Iowa State University. To celebrate, Iowa State students, alumni and friends of the farm are invited to join the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies at the Ag 450 Farm, 52097 260^th St., Ames, on Sept. 23, from 8-11 a.m. Tours of the farm will be offered, as well as light breakfast.

Singh appointed to Sprague Professorship by Iowa State’s Department of Agronomy

Professor and plant breeder Asheesh K. (Danny) Singh has been named to the George Sprague Professorship in Agronomy by the Department of Agronomy in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. An investigator on more than 70 competitive research grants, Singh is best known for his expertise in soybean breeding and using artificial intelligence for crop breeding. 

Iowa State-produced wines garner local, international awards

AMES, Iowa – Wines produced at Iowa State University recently were put to the test and brought home several top awards from international, regional and Iowa competitions.

Suza named George Washington Carver Endowed Chair 

Walter Suza wants to do what George Washington Carver did — feed the hungry.

King of Busoga visits Iowa State, signs MOU

As proof of the synergetic connection between Iowa State University and The Busoga Kingdom of Uganda, a memorandum of cooperation and understanding was signed on Aug. 17 to formalize cooperation and collaboration to benefit both institutions.

Yu to lead Iowa State's Baker Center for Plant Breeding

AMES, Iowa – Jianming Yu’s extensive background in plant genetics and breeding research will serve him well in his new role as director of the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding at Iowa State University.

Cyclone Science Innovators make their mark on campus

by Madelyn Ostendorf

The Cyclone Science Innovators, otherwise known as CySI for short, is a group of multi-disciplinary students working to hone their innovation skills and make life on campus a little brighter.

A first of its kind: Master's in Agronomy program marks 25th anniversary

The Master of Science in Agronomy program celebrates its 25th anniversary this summer. Offered as a distance education program, it stemmed from an identified need to provide a master’s degree option that would better align with working professionals’ schedules.

Greiner named director of Iowa Pork Industry Center

Stepping into the director role, Laura Greiner is ready to guide Iowa State University’s Iowa Pork Industry Center in its efforts to maintain the state’s standing as a leader in advancing animal agriculture. Greiner, assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State, succeeds Dr. Chris Rademacher, who has spent the past year as the center’s interim director.

A delicious partnership: Serving Iowa State-raised turkey at campus dining locations

The Department of Animal Science has partnered with ISU Dining and West Liberty Foods to utilize some of the turkey produced at Iowa State in campus dining centers. The first flock of turkeys raised at the Stanley L. Balloun Turkey Teaching and Research Facility was recently sent to West Liberty Foods for processing. This fall, students, faculty and staff will get to enjoy the resulting oven roasted turkey breast at ISU Dining locations.

Iowa State to lead consortium to build trust between pork producers, consumers

The National Pork Board recently announced a new five-year effort focused on addressing consumer questions related to the pork industry’s We Care ethical principles and strengthening consumers’ confidence in choosing pork. Iowa State University is among five universities taking part in the program, which will be led by an Iowa State professor.

Scientists lead quest for perennial cover tailored to conventional cropping systems

Iowa State University researchers are leading a quest to develop a farming system that integrates cash crops with a cover crop that would only need to be planted once every five to 15 years. It’s a tall order, but one the research team thinks can soon be realized.

CALS Career Services: A tradition of service to students

CALS Career Services has been serving students and families for almost five decades, building a community of relationships that represent generations of success and stories. Seven current and former employees recently sat down to discuss and reflect on all the changes the office has seen over the years.

Researcher aims to increase food safety through poultry gut health

Melha Mellata, associate professor of molecular microbiology at Iowa State University, is on a mission to improve poultry health and mitigate bacterial infections, such as salmonella, in poultry and humans. With federal support, Mellata and her team aim to develop a probiotic with several key, beneficial microbes to boost the gut health of chickens and other livestock, reducing reduce the chances for pathogens to ever become established. 

Gamma Sigma Delta presents awards, announces new initiates

AMES, Iowa – Gamma Sigma Delta, the Iowa Beta Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture, held its annual award ceremony on April 20, 2023, in Curtiss Hall’s Dolezal Auditorium.

New Iowa State agricultural communication major approved for fall 2023 semester

AMES, IA – The Iowa Board of Regents approved a new undergraduate major – Bachelor of Science in agricultural communication – in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and

Wiedenhoeft named interim chair of Iowa State’s Department of Agronomy

AMES, Iowa – Mary Wiedenhoeft will begin leading Iowa State University’s Department of Agronomy as interim department chair, effective May 16, 2023.

Stewart named to Harmon Family Professorship in Forestry

AMES, Iowa – Timothy Stewart has been named the newest holder of the Harmon Family Professorship in Forestry at Iowa State University.