...................................................
COLLEGE NEWS
...................................................
NEARLY $5 MILLION IN GRANTS AWARDED IN OCTOBER
College researchers won 73 funding awards last month amounting to nearly $5 million in support. Most of the $4.72 million in funding came from federal sources, which accounted for 40 awards and $2.7 million. Of the federal sources, the USDA made the most awards with 30 for $1.6 million. Commodity groups were the second greatest overall source with nine awards for $1.1 million. Universities and colleges funded seven awards for $403,842. Businesses funded 11 awards for $251,541. The state funded two projects for $133,722. A listing of the awards by principal investigators is on the Web at:
EXTENSION FUTURING SESSION DEC. 2
The ISU Extension Futuring Committee has scheduled a listening session from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, in Rooms 244-46 Memorial Union. The session will be facilitated by Phil Dunshee and Tori Squires, Public Resource Services Corp., which is helping the committee. E-mailed suggestions and comments can be sent directly: isuefuturing@enterprisemidamerica.com. Comments will remain confidential to Public Resource Services and the information it shares with the committee will be anonymous. The Futuring Committee will post updates at: . Vice Provost Stan Johnson named the committee to provide a general assessment and an organizational vision to guide extension.
SECOND IOWA SUMMIT TO FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES
A workshop for Iowa community leaders will help identify resources, best practices and tools to help create livable, sustainable communities. Iowa Summit 2002 will be held Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Scheman Center. The keynote speaker will be Joel Kotkin, professor of geography at Pepperdine University, who is known for his ideas about the future of rural America. Sponsors include the Iowa Rural Development Council, the College of Agriculture, the College of Design and ISU Extension to Communities. Registration is $75 in advance or $100 at the door. Contact Linda Kennedy at 4-8397 or lindaek@iastate.edu. More info:
AG COUNCIL ELECTS NEW OFFICERS FOR 2003
Ag Student Council has elected Jennifer Taylor as president. She is a sophomore in dairy science (pre-vet). Also elected officers were: Ryan Elgin, sophomore in ag studies, vice president; Lars Palmer, ag systems technology, secretary; Kent Peterson, sophomore in ag business, treasurer. They will begin serving next semester.
MEYER NAMED DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE RELATIONS
Brian Meyer has been named the program director for college relations in the College of Agriculture. He had been interim director since October 2001. Meyer joined the Agriculture Communications Service staff as a communications specialist in 1990.
HOLIDAY POPCORN ON SALE BY THE AGRONOMY CLUB
The Agronomy Club is selling holiday popcorn until Christmas break. The cost is $3 for a large bag and $2 for a small bag of colorful unpopped popcorn. Stop by 1126 Agronomy Hall and ask Melissa for help.
GRANTSMANSHIP SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS AVAILABLE
About 90 people attended the grantsmanship seminar given last week by Mark Bailey, national program leader of USDA-CSREES’ Economic and Community Systems Unit. Steve Sapp, sociology, joined him to speak about his past role in evaluating proposals for the USDA. Both presenters’ PowerPoint presentations are available by contacting Elena Polush, 4-8493 or elenap@iastate.edu. Bailey's visit was sponsored by the College of Agriculture and the Office of Vice Provost for Research and Advanced Studies.
MEAT JUDGING TEAM SEVENTH IN COMPETITION
The Iowa State Meat Judging Team finished seventh overall and fifth in beef judging at an international contest held Nov. 16 in Dakota City, Neb. It was one of 15 teams consisting of 60 contestants. Team member Tara Wellman was eighth overall and fourth in beef judging. She was selected to the Second Team All-American, based on her judging performance throughout the year and GPA. Ann Leed was first in pork judging and second in reasons. Other members of the ISU team were Jon Jacobs and Eric Smith.
RESEARCH SHOWS COMMON VITAMIN PROTECTS TURKEYS
Researchers have learned that adding vitamin E to the feed turkeys eat can protect them against infection by listeria bacteria. Learn more in “Agriculture in Action”:
COMPOST CONTROLS EROSION AT HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION SITES
Using compost at road construction sites can be an effective tool to reduce runoff and erosion. That’s the conclusion of a three-year study funded by the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Tom Glanville and Tom Richard, researchers in the ISU agricultural and biosystems engineering department, were the project leaders. The project was designed to compare roadway embankments blanketed with compost to slopes where conventional erosion control practices were applied. Details:
2002 HYBRID CORN PERFORMANCE DATA AVAILABLE
Results of the 2002 Iowa Crop Performance Test for hybrid corn are now available on the Iowa Crop Improvement Association website: . During 2002, researchers evaluated 520 hybrids from 61 seed companies and from Iowa State. The program offers unbiased, third party, on-farm information to Iowa growers on commercial seed. ICIA provides performance information on hybrids and varieties for alfalfa, barley, corn, oat, soybean, triticale and wheat.
2002 SEED DIRECTORY OFFERS QUALITY SEED SOURCES
The annual Iowa Seed Directory published by the Iowa Crop Improvement Association offers a catalog of seeds that include corn, native prairie species, oats, soybeans and wheat. The directory contains seed production information from more than 100 producers. The directories are free and available by contacting the association at 4-6921 or iowacrop@iastate.edu. The directory also can be found on the ICIA website,
IOWA STATE STUDIES SOYBEAN CYST NEMATODE-RESISTANT VARIETIES
Most comparisons of soybean varieties resistant to the pests rely on yields, but there is another important factor for producers to consider: how well they reduce nematode populations. Iowa State produces one of the few lists that does both, based on field studies. Results from the 2002 Iowa State University SCN-resistant Soybean Variety Trials will be available in January from county extension offices (publication IPM-52) and online at:
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
Nov. 25: Think Tank on Animal Agriculture, 6 p.m., Campanile Room, Memorial Union
Dec. 1: Deadline for ordering cheese and sausage gift packages from Block and Bridle Club, 120 Kildee or use order form at:
Dec. 1: Christmas tree and firewood sale, noon to 6 p.m., Reiman Gardens
Dec. 2: Brenton Center Seminar on digital cameras, 12:10 p.m., in Room 8, Curtiss Hall, Call Neena Bentley, 4-1862, to reserve a spot
Dec. 4: Horticulture Club’s annual poinsettia sale, noon to 7:30, outside University Book Store
Dec. 6: Christmas tree and firewood sale, 3 to 6 p.m., Reiman Gardens
Dec. 7: Christmas tree and firewood sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Reiman Gardens
Dec. 8: Christmas tree and firewood sale, noon to 6 p.m., Reiman Gardens
Dec. 11-13: Horticulture Club’s annual poinsettia sale, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Curtiss and Beardshear halls
Dec. 14: Christmas tree and firewood sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Reiman Gardens
Dec. 15: Christmas tree and firewood sale, noon to 6 p.m., Reiman Gardens
Dec. 17: President and provost visit the college, 1 to 5 p.m.
Dec. 21: College convocation for graduates, 9:30 a.m., C.Y. Stephens Auditorium
...................................................
COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
...................................................
MAKING MEETINGS MEANINGFUL
A Meeting Planners International study identified three reasons why people dislike meetings: the meeting gets off the subject; there's no agenda or goal for the meeting; and the meeting lasts too long. Some tips on running an effective meeting:
Plan the agenda
Start on time
Review the agenda
Work through the agenda
Involve everyone in the group
Make future plans
For more information:
...................................................
INFOGRAZING
...................................................
RADIO FORUM ON HIGHER EDUCATION TO INCLUDE CURTISS HALL SITE
A preview of 2003 academic year and higher education issues confronting Iowa's new legislature will be addressed in a WOI Radio’s “St. John's Forum” on Dec. 17. The forum will be recorded at WOI’s Des Moines facility with a satellite site in Room 9 of the Brenton Center in Curtiss Hall. Forum panel members will include President Geoffroy; David England, Des Moines Area Community College president; Mary Kramer, Iowa Senate president; and Jeff Scudder, student government president, University of Northern Iowa. Admission is free but reservations are required. Call (800) 861-8000 to reserve a seat. Doors open at 11 a.m. The program will be taped at noon and broadcast at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. on WOI-AM, and at 7 p.m. on WOI-FM.
Next issue: Dec. 2 Deadline: Nov. 27
........................................................
AG ONLINE
........................................................
EDITORS
Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu, and Brian Meyer, bmeyer@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site:
SUBSCRIBE
Ag Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag Online subscribe" to edadcock@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag Online unsubscribe."
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 1031 Wallace Road Office Building, Room 101, (515) 294-7612.