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COLLEGE NEWS
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IOWA SUMMIT POSTPONED
The Iowa Summit, which was scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 3, has been postponed. It will be rescheduled for next year. Joel Kotkin, professor of geography at Pepperdine University, was to speak at the workshop for Iowa community leaders to help identify resources, best practices and tools to help create livable, sustainable communities.
IMPROVED MAIZE TRANSFORMATION PROCESS DEVELOPED Researchers in the Plant Transformation Facility have developed a way for public-sector researchers to conduct more efficient maize transformation research. They recently developed a new process utilizing a publicly accessible vector system, which reduces research costs. The research was funded by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, the Agricultural Experiment Station, the Office of Biotechnology, the Plant Sciences Institute, the Baker Endowment Advisory Council for Excellence in Agronomy, the National Science Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. Contact Kan Wang, at 4-4429 or kanwang@iastate.edu
RESEARCH ON NEW OILSEED CROP TAKING PLACE IN IOWA Ralph Waldo Emerson once described a weed as "a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered." Such is the case with cuphea, a plant that's getting attention as a possible new oilseed crop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service is conducting research on cuphea at several locations, including Iowa State University research and demonstration farms near Castana, Calumet and Lewis. Learn more in "Agriculture in Action."
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
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. 2: ISU Extension Futuring Committee listening session, 12:30-3 p.m., Rooms 244-46 Memorial Union
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
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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GIVING AN EFFECTIVE SPEECH
Surveys show public speaking is the number one personal fear in America. But giving a successful speech can be as easier with planning, preparation and practice. Consider these five steps to successful speech development and delivery: Audience Analysis
Outline Development
Write and Rewrite
Practice - Practice - Practice
Delivery
For the details, go to the Agriculture Communications website
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EXTERNAL VOICES
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HEINLEIN ON WHAT A HUMAN BEING SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." - science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein
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MARGINALIA
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OUTLAW CHICKENS INVADE URBAN AREAS
Although banned, there could be as many as 10,000 backyard chicken flocks in Los Angeles, according to a USDA estimate. Urban chickens are popular in other areas of the country, as reported by ABC News. McMurray Hatchery, located in Webster City, is reported to have customers for mail order chicks in several upper-class suburbs. City Chicken Workshop sessions at the Seattle Tilth Association have been filled to standing-room only. A ready source of fresh eggs and meat are cited among reasons to keep poultry as well as the joy of watching and nurturing the animals. A network television producer, who has kept a small flock of poultry for almost 25 years, even produced a video to help beginners get started. More at: http://www.chickenvideo.com
Next issue: Dec. 9 Deadline: Dec. 6
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AG ONLINE
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EDITORS
Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu, and Brian Meyer, bmeyer@iastate.edu Phone: (515) 294-5616Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
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.