News & Featured Stories Archive

CALS student club spotlight: Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club

Learn about the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club and see if it's a good fit for you!

Alum’s Living to Serve project continues to impact hundreds

It all started with a social media post asking community members to donate backpacks, pencils and other school supplies. In the six years since, approximately $20,000 has been raised and around 400 families have been impacted.

Pre-semester trip opens agronomy students’ eyes to opportunities

Each fall, the Department of Agronomy aspires to try something unique and different with its Agronomy New Student Learning Community field trip. This year, students and faculty traveled to southwest Iowa, where a highlight was a farm-to-table dinner hosted by College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alums.

New study shows dynamic shifts in Iowa farmers’ conservation practice use

A new study from Iowa State University sheds light on the evolving landscape of agricultural conservation in Iowa. It found that many farmers who adopted two key conservation practices -- cover crops and no-till -- did not continue to use the practices over time. The report recommends that conservation programs focus not only on encouraging initial adoption but also on supporting long-term continuance.

New Study USA program a ‘springboard’ for future travel

For students who have not traveled outside the United States before, the new For the Love of Food and Puerto Rico study abroad program may be just the right ticket.

Statistical research center opening at Iowa State offers convenient ‘treasure trove’ of data for Iowa scientists

After a decade of planning, a new Federal Statistical Research Data Center opens this month on Iowa State University’s campus. This gateway to immense federal data resources can be used by scientists across many fields. A grand opening, Sept. 17, will introduce the new facility to interested users. The event, from 10-11:30 a.m., will take place in Heady Hall Room 368A, and feature a presentation by Rachelle Hill, FSRDC lead for the Census Bureau. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Hill and other FSRDC leaders and view the center. 

Students encouraged to submit abstracts for 2025 Borlaug poster competition

Poster abstracts are now being accepted for the 22nd Annual Norman Borlaug Lecture Poster Competition for Graduate and Undergraduate Students. The competition and display of posters will take place Tuesday, Oct. 21, on the ground floor of Curtiss Hall.

New USDA grant supports farmers' transition to organic practices

Swanson presented 2025 Emerging Iowa Leader Award

As a fourth-generation alum of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University, Jake Swanson (’14 global resource systems) carries a deep appreciation for the experiences that shaped his education and career.

ISAAA AfriCenter and Iowa State University sign MOU to advance agricultural innovation in Africa

Signed in November 2024, the agreement aims to deepen mutual understanding of economic, cultural and social issues while strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem for science, technology and innovation.

Soilscape builds on century of effort to provide practical information to Iowans

From the old paper soil maps to the new, high-tech, interactive environment of Soilscape.org, Iowa State University scientists have led efforts to characterize a largely hidden landscape -- the ground under our feet, farms, homes and businesses. 

Essay contest combats local food insecurity

Ames High School students are finding creative ways to combat food insecurity and have received funding to bring their ideas to life, thanks to Iowa State University's George Washington Carver Future Hunger Fighters Program essay contest.

New faces, same level of support in CALS Career Services office

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Services office is staffed and ready to support students as they pursue internship and job opportunities and prepare to attend the CALS Career Day this fall.

Iowa State researcher helps farmers adapt to new apple production systems

Fruit specialist Suzanne Slack, assistant professor of horticulture, “loves” apples. She grew up on an orchard in Pennsylvania and was attracted to work at Iowa State by the opportunity to revive the university’s orchard. Since she arrived in 2021, she’s increased apple production to 15 acres at the Horticulture Research Station, where she studies the potential of historical and new apple cultivars to adapt to today’s growing conditions and industry preferences. Taste the orchard's first fruits at an upcoming open house Sept. 13, from noon to 2 p.m., at the research station near Ames. 

Help track the monarch migration: Iowa landowners asked to report roosting sites

 As thousands of monarch butterflies make their journey south to Mexico this fall, researchers with the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium (IMCC) are calling on Iowa landowners and others to help document this remarkable migration by reporting monarch roosting sites. 

Students gain feed safety knowledge at the feed mill

Students in TSM 4570: Feed Safety, Ingredient Quality and Analytics have the unique opportunity to put on the hard hats of feed technicians and experience the ins and outs of commercial feed production at the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex.

Pork Foundation fellowship recipient’s path to animal science started with 4-H

Jayden Lawrence, a doctoral student in animal science at Iowa State University, has been selected to receive one of two 2025 Nelda Christian Iowa Pork Foundation Graduate Fellowships, along with Morgan Almeida (’22 animal science), a current Iowa State veterinary medicine student. The awards will be presented at the Iowa Pork Congress Auction and Scholarship reception next winter in Des Moines. Lawrence was introduced to animal science through 4-H programs "and the friendly leaders who gave me opportunities to explore my interests in working with animals.”

While many farmers express interest in growing alternative crops that could be profitable and improve environmental quality, there are strong incentives for growing conventional row crops. Exploring the potential of options that could outweigh those risks is a professional quest for agronomist Andy VanLoocke, associate professor of agronomy at Iowa State University. Recent research he led showed that incorporating miscanthus, a perennial biomass crop, on less productive farm ground can increase farm income, and improve water quality and soil health.  

Iowa State scientists usher in cyber-agricultural future

Drones flying over fields to assess crop status. Tractors steering autonomously, guided by soil maps to deliver tailored doses of fertilizer. Robots in the rows harvesting high-value fruits. What was recently science fiction may already be available from an ag retailer near you.The farm of the future is arriving, thanks in large part to Iowa State University researchers Soumik Sarkar and Asheesh “Danny” Singh. 

Iowa State researchers investigate ways to support changing wine industry in Iowa and the Midwest

Iowa State University researchers Suzanne Slack, assistant professor of horticulture, and Aude Watrelot, assistant professor of food science and human nutrition, are working with colleagues at several north-central universities to nurture this steadily growing industry for the region. They are taking a variety of approaches that include investigating the best trellising systems for cold-hardy grapes and testing the potential of new cultivars to make wines that appeal to changing consumer preferences.