College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
April 5, 2021
Top Stories
Iowa Nature Series Provides Fresh Look at Iowa’s Outdoors
The diversity and breadth of Iowa’s natural environment is captured in a new series of publications by ISU Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Association of Naturalists. Iowa’s Nature Series is a collection of 10 publications covering topics such as landforms and geology, forests, prairies, aquatics, vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and influential voices for Iowa’s nature. They are educational and feature color photography, original artwork and creative designs, said Adam Janke, natural resource ecology and management. The publications are available for free download from the ISU Extension Store. More
Research
Drainage Water Recycling Focus of Research
Research underway by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the Iowa Soybean Association is analyzing drainage water recycling’s costs and benefits, with funding from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture. More
Article Features ISU Historic Poultry Genetics
An interview with Susan Lamont, animal science, in WATTPoultry, features discussion of Iowa State’s historic genetic lines of poultry, now housed in the Hy-Line Genetics Research Wing of Iowa State’s new Robert T. Hamilton Poultry Teaching and Research Farm. More
Teaching and Students
CALS Faculty Receive Miller Teaching Grants
Seven projects were approved for Miller Faculty Fellowship funding for the 2021-22 academic year. Faculty in CALS departments involved in projects include: Brian Hornbuckle, agronomy; Nir Keren, agricultural and biosystems engineering; and Greg Curtzwiler and Xiaolei Shi, food science and human nutrition. More
Science With Practice Enrolling for Fall 2021
Participation in the Science With Practice program for the fall 2021 semester is now open. Science With Practice is a CALS experiential learning and work program for undergraduate students in agriculture. Registration forms are available online, or contact the SWP team at swpteam@iastate.edu.
CALS Student Named Goldwater Scholar
Paiton McDonald, junior in agricultural biochemistry and international agriculture, was named a 2021 Goldwater Scholar, the premier undergraduate scholarship in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. More McDonald was featured in the latest issue of STORIES, the college’s alumni magazine. More
Student Watch Party Scheduled for Turkey Facility Groundbreaking
Iowa State University is breaking ground for a new turkey teaching and research facility on Thursday, April 8, at 3 p.m. A student watch party is scheduled for the Hansen Agricultural Student Learning Center to hear from university and industry leaders and to thank donors for the new state-of-the-art facility. Snacks will be provided and the first 75 students will receive a free t-shirt.
PAS Club Earns Top Honors at State, National Competitions
Iowa State’s Professional Agricultural Student Club brought home several top state and national awards from recent competitions. Club advisor Nate Dobbels said this year’s results are the best he has seen the club achieve. More
Lawn Mower Service Days Set for April 9-10
The Agriculture Systems Technology Club will hold its annual lawn mower service days Friday, April 9 (1 to 6 p.m.), and Saturday, April 10 (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), at Sukup Hall on the west side of campus. Routine service includes an oil change, a new spark plug, blade sharpening, air filter cleaning, deck cleaning and a power wash. Pricing is $35 for a push mower, $50 for a riding mower and $15 for a weed eater. Pickup and delivery (Ames only) is available for $15 and $20; call (515) 708-8672 or send an email request to astservicedays@gmail.com. More
Extension and Outreach
Soil Management Land Valuation Conference to Return in May
The Soil Management Land Valuation Conference, sponsored by CALS and ISU Extension and Outreach, will be held virtually on May 19 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Seven current issues and their implications to soil management and land valuation will be discussed. More
Iowa Grain Quality Initiative Provides GEAPS Training
The Grain Elevator and Processing Society is partnering with Iowa State University to offer the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative Advanced Grain Elevator Operations Management Virtual Course on May 10-14. Course instructors include Dirk Maier and Charlie Hurburgh, agricultural and biosystems engineering. More
Women Landowners Focus of New Outreach Project
ISU Extension and Outreach is beginning a three-year project to study the needs, challenges and opportunities of women landowners. Enhancing Conservation, Access and Generational Transition of Iowa Farmland through Women Landowners is funded through a $300,000 grant by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. More
Wine Wednesdays to Offer Insight from Iowa Wineries
Wine Wednesdays is a series of six educational webinars that will feature wines commonly produced in Iowa, complete with tasting and discussion. The series is led by ISU Extension and Outreach and will include presentations by four wineries located in Dubuque County. More
Vegetable Production Specialist Offers Advice for Early Sweet Corn
While producing early sweet corn is attractive, especially when it can be harvested by the July 4 holiday, early corn comes at a risk. In a recent article in the Acreage Living Newsletter, Ajay Nair, horticulture and extension vegetable production specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, explains the challenges and risks of growing early sweet corn. More
Around the College
ABE Graduate Program Ranked Among the Best
Iowa State’s graduate program in agricultural and biosystems engineering is ranked second in the country, according to the latest rankings of graduate programs published by U.S. News and World Report magazine. Amy Kaleita, interim department chair, noted new facilities that will provide graduate students access to state-of-the-art resources for advancing their research and building their professional portfolio – including the new Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex, the Soil-Machine Dynamics Laboratory and the Off-Highway Vehicle Chassis Dynamometer. More
Dean Highlights Leadership Transitions in CALS
There were a number of leadership transitions in the college last week. In his April 2 message Dean Robison asked faculty and staff to join him in recognizing the following for their service:
- Josie Six transitioned from her role as CALS chief financial officer to fiscal officer for the college’s Office of Global Engagement. Jordan Gillespie joined CALS on Feb. 22 as the new chief financial officer.
- Ruth MacDonald stepped down from her role as assistant dean for graduate programs. Howard Tyler’s portfolio has changed from assistant dean for student (undergraduate) services to assistant dean for student (undergraduate and graduate) services and success.
- Steve Harris joined Iowa State on April 1 as chair of the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and the Department of Entomology. Thomas Baum served as department chair for plant pathology and microbiology from November 2005 to January 2020. Since then, Gwyn Beattie has served as interim chair and Greg Tylka as interim associate chair. Steve Dinsmore has served as interim chair of entomology. Dinsmore will continue as interim chair of the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management.
CALS Alumni Awardees Celebrated at April 7 Event
2020 recipients of ISU Alumni Association, Memorial Union and college alumni awards will be celebrated during a virtual event on Wednesday, April 7, at 7 p.m. Registration closes at noon on Wednesday, and those who register will receive an email with a link to view the virtual recognition. They’ll also have the ability to leave notes of congratulations that will be shared with the awardees. More
ISU Experts Available to Comment on Spring Planting
Higher market prices, dry conditions in some stretches of the state and the lingering effects of last year’s derecho are just a few of the trends Iowa State agriculture experts are tracking as we move closer to the prime window for planting corn and soybeans for the 2021 growing season. ISU experts are available for interviews with news media on many of the angles that will shape the agricultural world in 2021. More
CALS Term Faculty Advancement Virtual Workshop
A workshop for term faculty seeking advancement will be held April 29 from 10:30 a.m. to noon via Zoom (taped for future viewing). RSVP to Carla Persaud (cpersaud@iastate.edu) by April 26 to register. The workshop will discuss criteria for advancement, document preparation and development, and time for questions.
CALS P&T/Faculty Advancement Virtual Mirroring Session
CALS assistant professors, associate professors and term faculty seeking advancement are invited to attend this open discussion meeting held April 30 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. via WebEx (NOT taped). RSVP to Carla Persaud (cpersaud@iastate.edu) by April 28 to register.
Calendar
April 7: Conversations about Carbon
Conversations about Carbon is a biweekly series on the first and third Wednesday of every month consisting of a virtual discussion with an expert who will take on key questions about carbon reduction, removal and repair. The goal is to help move research, education and extension forward on how agriculture can play a role in mitigating climate change. The next session is Wednesday, April 7, at noon. The series is hosted by the ISU Bioeconomy Institute in association with CALS. More
April 7: Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will discuss conservation and water quality in Iowa on Wednesday, April 7, at noon.
April 9-10: Annual Stupka Memorial Symposium
The 15th annual Stupka Undergraduate Research Symposium will take place via Zoom on April 9-10. The symposium is hosted by students in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology. The schedule includes presentations by distinguished alumni, in addition to keynote speakers from Harvard, Stanford and Washington University. More
April 12: Hertz Lecture on Emerging Issues in Agriculture
The Carl and Marjory Hertz Lecture on Emerging issues in Agriculture will be held April 12 at 7 p.m. The presenter will be virtual – guests may watch online or in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Dhamu Thamodaran (’83 PhD agricultural economics), retired executive vice president, chief strategy officer and chief commodity hedging officer for Smithfield Foods, will present “Emerging Issues in Global Markets and Trade.” More
Infograzing
Ignite Innovation Showcase Begins April 16
The Ignite Innovation Showcase, scheduled for April 16-23, will celebrate the culture of innovation at Iowa State. The event will showcase the collaborations, inventions and opportunities that include, motivate and inspire students from every college, department and organization at Iowa State.
Marginalia
ChampionCHIP Kyven Dough Debuts at ISU Creamery
ChampionCHIP Kyven Dough ice cream debuts at the ISU Creamery on Saturday, April 10. The new flavor honors Kyven Gadson, 2014 ISU graduate and former three-time All-American Iowa State wrestler, as he heads off to the Olympic trials. The flavor features dulce de leche ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough, caramel swirls and chocolate chips. Gadson will be at the Creamery for the debut. Also beginning April 10, the creamery will begin opening on Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m. 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.