College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
May 24, 2021
Top Stories
Monarchs Benefit from Habitat Planted near Crop Fields
New research by Niranjana Krishnan, toxicology, and Tyler Grant and Steven Bradbury, natural resource ecology and management, indicates habitat established near crop fields will benefit monarchs, assuming that Integrated Pest Management recommendations are used and insecticide spray drift management practices are followed. More
Research
Mapping Iowa’s Soil Topography
Bradley Miller, agronomy, is developing new computer models of soil erosion and topography changes, requiring both innovative big-data technology as well as validation of soil measurements, to illuminate complex interactions that influence climate change. The National Science Foundation recently awarded Miller an early career development grant to support the research. More
Five Questions with a Research Farm Superintendent
Nick Howell, superintendent of the Horticulture Research Station, recently spoke with Inside Iowa State about the research station and his role as manager. The Horticulture Research Station is 230 acres of university land just north of Ames where researchers stage their work and students learn by experience. More
Teaching and Students
Agronomy Student Uses Scholarship to Help Fellow Africans
Malcolm St. Cyr, junior in agronomy, is the recipient of the first Cynthia Cambardella Scholarship. St. Cyr grew up in Senegal, where current climate challenges dictate the use of an agroecological perspective to protect soils and conserve moisture. This focus on soils is what led St. Cyr to enroll at Iowa State. More
Extension and Outreach
Summer Field Day Planned at Research Farm near Kanawha
Micronutrients for soybean production, soybean cyst nematode management and white mold of soybean will highlight the summer field day on June 23 at Iowa State’s Northern Research and Demonstration Farm near Kanawha. The North Central Iowa Research Association will also announce a capital campaign to raise $500,000 to build a new structure that will include a shop, meeting space and machine storage designed to expand research and extension impact in north central Iowa. More
Around the College
Dinsmore Named Department Chair for NREM
Stephen Dinsmore has been named chair of the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management in CALS. He will begin a five-year term as chair effective June 1. Dinsmore has served as interim chair of the department since 2019, when former chair Sue Blodgett retired. More
Plastina Named Agricultural Economics Fellow
The Farm Foundation announced that Alejandro Plastina, economics and the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, will be its first Agricultural Economics Fellow. More
Dipali Sashital Featured as Change Agent
Dipali Sashital, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, is the latest change agent featured in a series of articles about Iowa State faculty and scientists whose work is changing the world for the better. Sashital explores the mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas systems, which allow for precise cutting and editing of an organism’s genes. These technologies have the potential for revolutionary advances in human health and agriculture. More
Calendar
May 25: Wetlands Series Webinar
“Profiles in the Wonders of Iowa’s Wetlands” will feature 12 in-depth educational videos highlighting the diversity and benefits of wetland ecosystems throughout the state. The videos are being developed by ISU Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Nutrient Research Center. A webinar on Tuesday, May 25, at 7 to 8 p.m., kicks off the series during American Wetlands Month. More
May 26: Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
Soil Health Under and Around Prairie Strips is the topic of an Iowa Learning Farms webinar with Marshall McDaniel on Wednesday, May 26, at noon.
Communications Kiosk
Couple Needs “Of”
The “of” is necessary when referring to a couple of things. The phrase takes a plural verb in constructions. Never use a couple tomatoes or a similar phrase. Use a couple of tomatoes were stolen. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2018 edition, pg. 71)
Infograzing
ISU Memorial Day Remembrance Live and Online
The university's annual Memorial Day ceremony, hosted by the ISU Retirees Association to honor retirees or spouses who died in the past year, will be held live and online via Zoom on Monday, May 31, at 9 a.m. Because the 2020 event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2021 ceremony recognizes those who have died during the past two years. More
Marginalia
Produce for Sale at the Horticulture Research Station
The Horticulture Research Station community produce sale has started for the 2021 season, with 15 varieties of lettuce and a new website. Like last year, curbside pickup is in the Meat Lab parking lot located in the northwest corner of lot 39 just off of North University Boulevard. There will not be extra produce available at the pick-up location. 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 Thursday.