College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
June 10, 2019
Top Stories
CALS Student Appointed to Iowa Board of Regents
Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed CALS student Zack Leist to the Iowa Board of Regents. Leist is a junior with a triple major in agricultural business, economics and international agriculture, with a minor in agronomy. "I hope to serve all the public universities to the best of my ability, and I have faith that Iowa State has provided the opportunities and education to be successful in this role," said Leist. More
Research
GDCB Research Reveals New Insights on Root Growth
Dior Kelley, genetics, development and cell biology, has identified a protein as a key regulator of plant root growth, representing a significant step towards understanding the complex, underlying processes that influence development of root cells. The findings are featured in the June issue of Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, along with the cover illustration that Kelley created with her artist mother. More
Workshop to Develop Urban-Rural Research Agenda for Watershed
Three ISU researchers have received a $50,000 National Science Foundation grant for an August workshop on “Redesigning the Urban-Rural Interface along the Mississippi Watershed.” Janette Thompson, natural resource ecology and management, and Ulrike Passe and Kimberly Zarecor, architecture, are organizing the workshop, which will be Aug. 12-13 in Ames. The event is intended to guide development of a sustainable urban systems research and action agenda for mid-sized metropolitan areas within the Mississippi River watershed, with a focus on relationships and connectivity among urban and rural landscapes and communities. More
Teaching and Students
Helping African Professors Teach Plant Breeding
A $750,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was used to help implement a curriculum developed by the agronomy department to train plant breeders in Africa. “Creating a curriculum for the plant breeding faculty wasn’t enough,” said Mike Retallick, agricultural education and studies. “We had to help them integrate that material into their program and improve their instructional methods, so they could successfully educate the next generation of plant breeders.” The funding also was used to create the Professional Development Community, an international network of skilled teaching professionals. More
My Internship Story: Alyssa Dougherty
Alyssa Dougherty, a junior in dietetics and global resource systems, talks about her internship with Land O’Lakes as a Global Food Challenge Emerging Leader for Food Security. Her internship included eight weeks at the corporate office in Minnesota, two weeks in Malawi and South Africa, one week in Washington, D.C. and one week in Indiana.
Young Alum of the Month: Madelyn Sislow
Madelyn Sislow graduated from ISU in Dec. 2016 majoring in animal ecology and biology. She is currently a raptor educator at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee, Wis. Her responsibilities are split between animal husbandry and conservation education. More
Incoming Students Receive Agriculture Future of America Scholarships
Agriculture Future of America provides professional development, networking and scholarships for students studying agriculture. Each year the AFA awards scholarships to students with leadership skills, a passion for agriculture and a dedication to community. The following incoming students to ISU were awarded scholarships: Macy Evans, Tyler Eldridge, Emily Harold, Shelby Westhoff, Kennedy Schroeder, Leah Mosher, Halee Miller, Lexie Maloy, Jaden Ahlrichs, Jake Stenzel and Jared Birks. More
Extension and Outreach
ANR Extension Staff Spotlight: Joe Morris
Joe Morris is featured in the latest ANR Extension Staff Spotlight. He is a professor in the natural resource ecology and management department and director of the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center. His research focuses on aquaculture and fishery management issues. More
Around the College
Nutrient Research Center Names Assistant Director
Kay Stafanik, a water quality researcher at Ohio State University, has been named assistant director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, effective July 8. “She brings strong skills in agricultural water quality issues and the ability to translate that information to a wide variety of audiences,” said Matt Helmers, INRC director. More
Lamkey on Diversifying the Agricultural Industry
While the benefits of diversifying crops and operations is a common topic within the agriculture industry, few are talking about the need for more diversity among people, according to Kendall Lamkey, chair of agronomy. In a USA Today Special Edition (pg. 37), Lamkey said the male-dominated field needs the perspective of more women to build resilience and move the industry forward. His department actively recruits female students to introduce them to agronomy, he said. More
Calendar
June 12: Open House for RN to BSN Program
Food Science and Human Nutrition is hosting an open house for individuals interested in learning more about the registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing program at ISU. It will be held Wednesday, June 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the ISU Alumni Center. ISU professors will be on hand to explain how a BSN degree can help registered nurses improve patient outcomes and meet career goals. RSVP to nursing@iastate.edu. The open house can also be attended via Zoom. More
June 14: Dairy Farm Open House
The annual open house at the ISU Dairy Farm is scheduled for Friday, June 14, from 7 a.m. to noon. Tours will be given every 20 minutes, with stops including the milking parlor, the milk house and dairy barns. Visitors can sample free dairy products while learning about the dairy industry in the Ag Discovery Center. The open house includes demonstrations of current technology and best practices in animal care, product quality, safety and environmental stewardship. More
June 16: Public Viewing of Seed Science Center Film
A film showcasing the science and beauty of seeds is scheduled for a public viewing at Reiman Gardens on Sunday, June 16, at 6 p.m. Manjit Misra, director of ISU’s Seed Science Center, provided leadership for “Seeds! Diversity of Wonder.” More
Communications Kiosk
Alright is Never All Right
Use all right, never alright. Hyphenate only if used colloquially as a compound modifier: He is an all-right guy. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2018 edition, pg. 13)
Infograzing
Dutch Seedsman Named World Food Prize Laureate
Simon Groot of the Netherlands was announced today as the 2019 World Food Prize Laureate for his role in empowering millions of smallholder farmers in more than 60 countries to earn greater incomes through enhanced vegetable production. More
Marginalia
CALS Alum Lexi Marek – Should I Stay or Should I Go?
For women who grew up on the family farm during the Depression, it was often a place to survive. Today, young women have a choice – should I stay or should I go? As part of Federal Project No. 2, Iowa photographer Lindley Warren Mickunas met with CALS alum Lexi Marek and her family to look at young women growing up on the family farm today. More (From 1935 to 1943, the U.S. government funded a massive economic and cultural effort called Federal Project No. 1. With Federal Project No. 2, American artists have been commissioned to look back at the projects created during the New Deal era and make work that reflects the United States now. More)
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
http://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
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 Friday.