CALS Online and Dean’s Message
July 26, 2021
Dean’s Message
Perhaps this is just about perfect summer weather now? Hot, sunny days and cool, dew-filled nights. Although it’d be good to have daytime temps about 10 degrees cooler. So long as we continue to get some good rains, as well, things are looking good, green and productive across our beautiful state. Last week I was out and about with several stops in southeast Iowa… More
Top Stories
Researchers Using Hair to Gauge Stress Response in Pigs
Animal science researchers at Iowa State are trying to find out if trimming pigs’ hair can provide insight into how they respond to stressors they encounter through life, including disease. The intent is to use hair samples to identify genetics that allow pigs to respond favorably to a wide range of stressful situations. Jack Dekkers, animal science and principle investigator, said stress response and disease response are closely related, and identifying genetics that are more resilient to stress will likely also be more resilient to disease. More
Research
Study Could Help Illuminate Important Evolutionary Process
A new study led by Nicole Valenzuela, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, sheds light on how organisms have evolved to address imbalances in sex chromosomes. The study looks at a species of softshell turtle, but the results could help to illuminate an important evolutionary process in many species. More
More than Half of University Students Trying a Meat Alternative
Fifty-five percent of Midwest university students surveyed had tried a plant-based meat alternative and attributed this choice to the enjoyment of new food, curiosity about the products and environmental concern, according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, published by Elsevier. Authors include Elizabeth Davitt, graduate student, and Donna Winham, food science and human nutrition, and Mack Shelley, political science. More
Teaching and Students
Submit Proposals for Learning Across America Program
The Dean’s Office of Academic Innovation is requesting proposals to support faculty and staff led groups of undergraduate students traveling to domestic locations. CALS launched Learning Across America in 2019 to complement its nationally recognized study abroad program. Proposals are due Aug. 19.
Extension and Outreach
Extension and Partners Launch Database for Food Systems Practitioners
A national team of researchers and practitioners led by ISU Extension and Outreach has developed a new database providing resources for food systems practitioners. The site currently contains 92 educational resource profiles and 79 practitioner profiles across the nation, added during a limited pilot in spring 2021. More
Celebrate Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Week July 26-30
Iowa’s commercial horticulture industry contributes $48 million to the state’s economy each year and provides fresh fruits and vegetables to Iowa consumers. Gov. Kim Reynolds designated July 26-30 as Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Week. ISU Extension and Outreach will be promoting the event through social media outreach and other channels. More
Conservation Learning Group Awarded Blue Ribbon for Conservation Manual
The Conservation Learning Group was awarded a 2021 Educational Aids Blue Ribbon for its Whole Farm Conservation Best Practices Manual from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers at its virtual annual meeting on July 12-16. The manual provides guidance and tools for farmers to use in planning for and implementing conservation practices for all areas of their farms. More
Around the College
MacDonald on Avoiding Food-borne Illness
In a July 21 article in The Conversation, Ruth MacDonald, associate dean for personnel and finance in CALS, discusses how to avoid food-borne illness. With summer cookouts, picnics and backyard barbecues in full swing, MacDonald, professor and former chair of the food science and human nutrition program at Iowa State, starts with the basics of food safety. More
Calendar
Aug. 11: Carbon Market Webinar
ISU Extension and Outreach will hold a public webinar on Aug. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. to provide updates and answer questions related to a renewed interest in carbon markets and carbon credit trading. More
Marginalia
Farm Aid Music and Food Festival Returns
Farm Aid’s annual festival – an all-day celebration of music and family farmers featuring a unique lineup of artists and genres, along with family farm-identified, local and organic foods – is returning to Hartford, Conn., this year live and in-person on Sept. 25. Tickets sales opened to the public on July 23. 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.