CALS Online and Dean’s Message
January 23, 2023
Dean’s Message
Happy Monday CALS – Last week the semester really got rolling, and now it's full speed ahead. There’s so much going on… This week and part of next, I am travelling for ISU Foundation events and to visit with key alumni and donors to the college… It's truly amazing to think of the devotion and confidence people like these, and so many others, have in our college and the work YOU do… More
Top Stories
Envisioning a More Diverse Corn Belt
J. Arbuckle, sociology and criminal justice, and Philip Gassman, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, are helping lead a multistate project to lay the groundwork for more diverse Midwestern cropping systems. The team includes more than 30 investigators who are working with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders in Iowa, Indiana and Illinois to envision and evaluate more diverse agricultural systems for the Midwest and reverse long-time trends. The five-year, $10 million project is supported by a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant. More
Research
Two Podcasts Available on Integrated Pest Management Research
Research by Mark Gleason, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, on advanced integrated pest management options in apple production and IPM tools for organic cucurbit crops has been condensed into two podcast series – “The Current Cucurbit” and “Smarter Apple Spraying.” More
Teaching and Students
Club Offers Community and Opportunity for Underrepresented Students in Agriculture
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences is a campus organization focused on increasing diversity and inclusion within the agricultural field. The club meets from 6-7 p.m. every other Wednesday in Curtiss 0013. "MANRRS has been a gateway to leadership, friendship and a community I am truly comfortable in," said Gracelynn Maguire, senior in animal science and president of MANRRS. The club was featured in the Jan. 18 issue of the Iowa State Daily. They are currently selling shirts that read "America Needs Scholars of Color." More
Food Science Club Taking Preorders for Valentine’s Fudge Sale
The Food Science Club is taking orders for fudge until Jan. 27 (or until sold out). Flavors include chocolate, peanut butter, cookies ‘n cream, Cyclone fudge and chocolate mint. Orders can be picked up on Feb. 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside of 206 MacKay Hall. More
CALS Council Elects New Executive Team
The CALS Student Council has elected its new executive team: president is Paige Jergens, senior in agricultural business; vice president is Colton Holdgrafer, senior in animal science; secretary is Adele Hogan, sophomore in food science; and treasurer is Tori Hlas, senior in agricultural studies. More
Extension and Outreach
Annual Survey Shows Higher Quality of Life, Lower Stress
Every two years since 1982, the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll has asked farmers to report on changes in quality of life, defined as “the degree of satisfaction with all aspects of life,” for their families and families in their communities. In 2022, 86% of participants reported that quality of life for their families either stayed the same or improved over the five years leading up to February/March 2022, said J. Arbuckle, professor and extension sociologist and director of the Farm Poll. The 2022 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll summary report was published in December, and is available online at the ISU Extension Store. More
Carbon Farming Decision Tool Allows Producers to Evaluate Contracts
Producers looking to calculate financial returns from carbon farming contracts can use an updated resource from ISU Extension and Outreach. The Carbon Farming Decision Tool uses Microsoft Excel software and is free to download and use. More
Around the College
Interviews Set for Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture
Five interviews have been set for the Henry A. Wallace Endowed Chair for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State. A 30-minute virtual seminar followed by a 20-minute Q&A forum will be held Feb. 8-10 for J. Arbuckle, sociology and criminal justice; Matt O’Neal, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology; Mark Licht, agronomy; Alejandro Plastina, economics; and Marshall McDaniel, agronomy. The Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture is supported by an endowment created by CALS, the Wallace Genetic Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation, and supports work related to education, research and extension of current and future agricultural practices and developments.
CALS Coffee Circle Scheduled for Feb. 10
College faculty are invited to a CALS Collegiality Coffee Circle on Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. Spend time with colleagues and share ideas to enhance the faculty experience within the college. The event is hosted by Claudia Lemper-Manahl, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology and CALS non-tenure track faculty peer mentor; Mary Wiedenhoeft, agronomy and CALS tenure track faculty peer mentor; Aileen Keating, animal science and CALS equity advisor; and the CALS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Coffee, tea and cookies will be provided.
Inaugural George Washington Carver Day of Recognition, Feb. 1
Last year, the Iowa Legislature unanimously voted to establish Feb. 1 as an annual Official Day of Recognition in honor of George Washington Carver. Iowa State is holding a program on Feb. 1 from 5-7 p.m. in person at the Memorial Union Great Hall, or online. Those planning to attend in person are asked to RSVP by Jan. 25. February 1 also is the beginning of Black History Month, adding significance to this first-ever event at Carver’s alma mater — where he was Iowa State’s first Black student and graduate, and first Black faculty member. More
Calendar
Jan. 25: CALS Staff Ice Cream Social
The CALS Staff Council is hosting a welcome back ice cream social on Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Iowa Farm Bureau Pavilion in Kildee Hall.
Jan. 25-26: Iowa Pork Congress
The Iowa Pork Congress is Jan. 25-26 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The Iowa Pork Industry Center will be available in booth 1401. Swine specialists also will be leading producer certification sessions for PQA plus and TQA. More
Jan. 26: SIC Housewarming Event
The Student Innovation Center is hosting a housewarming event on Thursday, Jan. 26, from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend and take part in the scavenger hunt. The CALS Collaborative Learning Lab, Room 4227, will feature ISU Creamery ice cream and the Iowa State bee program, with honey produced by bees from the hives at the Horticulture Research Station.
Jan. 29: Jack Trice Sketching on Napkins
A program on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m. in the Christian Petersen Art Museum, Morrill Hall, will explore the recent sculpture by public artist Ivan Toth Depeña that honors, commemorates and memorializes Jack Trice's campus legacy as expressed through the power of art. It will include a preview video featuring Depeña and the process of creating “Breaking Barriers.” This program is presented in partnership with CALS, the Office of the President, the Athletic Department and University Museums. More
Feb. 2: Temple Grandin Lecture
CALS is co-sponsor of a lecture by Temple Grandin on Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University, will present “Let’s Talk About Pets.” More
March 7: CALS Spring Awards Program
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Spring Awards Program, honoring faculty and staff achievements, is March 7 at 4:10 p.m. in Dolezal Auditorium, 127 Curtiss Hall. The program will include brief comments from Dean Robison and recognition of the 2023 CALS faculty and staff award recipients. A wine and cheese reception will follow the program in Harl Commons.
Infograzing
Martin Luther King, Jr. Keynote Scheduled for Jan. 30
Bree Newsome is the Martin Luther King Jr. 2023 keynote speaker. She will present “Tearing Hatred From the Sky” on Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. More
Celebrating 105 Years of Law Enforcement
In 2023, the Iowa State Police Department is celebrating the history of its department and 105 years of law enforcement on Iowa State's campus. Its roots are in community policing, and started when Knute Hegland was hired as the first night watchman in 1918. Assistant chief Carrie Jacobs and inclusion officer Natasha Greene have developed an educational segment on the history of policing. They have presented their research to fellow police officers at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity and at the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement. They also present it to departments on campus. More
Marginalia
Campanile Replica Soon Ready to Travel
A 1:5 scale replica of the campanile and 27-bell carillon is standing tall in the Sukup Hall atrium. The replica is accessible, functional and portable – and was designed to carry the legacy of Iowa State all around the nation. Gretchen Mosher, agricultural and biosystems engineering, Hoa Chi and John Sheriff, lab managers, Jim Heise, mechanical engineering, and Tin-Shi Tam, music, have spent years working together on this project. Currently, the team is wrapping up the building part of the scale-model, and soon, it will be set for travel. 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.