...................................................
COLLEGE NEWS
...................................................
IOWA VALUES FUND AWARDS TO PHYTODYNE, NEWLINK GENETICS
A company whose CEO is a professor in the College of Agriculture was among 28 firms awarded state incentives last week to create and retain jobs and stimulate Iowa's economy. Dan Voytas, professor of genetics, development and cell biology (GDCB), is CEO of Phytodyne Inc. and co-founder of the firm with alumnus David Wright. Voytas has been a College of Agriculture faculty member since 1992. The Iowa Values Fund and Iowa Department of Economic Development boards approved $5 million in financing for Phytodyne. The company last week announced that its proprietary technology, Genome Editor, was a major breakthrough in the ability to more precisely delete, add or modify genes in crops. The new state funds will be used to expand Phytodyne’s laboratory space and build greenhouses at the ISU Research Park. A $6 million Iowa Values Fund award was given to NewLink Genetics, a biopharmaceutical company at the ISU Research Park. NewLink CEO Charles Link is a collaborating faculty member in GDCB. The firm has adapted plant genetics analysis software created by GDBC faculty member Volker Brendel.
TWO IN COLLEGE HONORED IN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS
On Feb. 16, Gov. Tom Vilsack presented the 2003 Iowa Environmental Excellence Awards. Two from the College of Agriculture -- Jim Baker, agricultural and biosystems engineering, and Mark Shour, entomology, were among those honored.
DELATE TO TALK ABOUT ORGANIC FOODS AT MARCH 4 LECTURE
Kathleen Delate, horticulture, will speak on organic foods at the next Issues in Agriculture lecture March 4. The lecture series is part of the Seasons of Agriculture celebration at Reiman Gardens. The free lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in the Hughes Auditorium. The series is sponsored by the College of Agriculture.
HISTORY OF AG EDUCATION INCLUDED IN ENCYCLOPEDIA
Robert Martin, chair of the agricultural education and studies department, and Michael Campbell, who recently earned a doctorate in agricultural education at ISU, co-authored a chapter on the history of agricultural education for the Encyclopedia of Education, second edition.
COLLEGE FACULTY, STAFF ACHIEVE SERVICE MILESTONES
Several College of Agriculture faculty and staff were honored Feb. 19 for their service to Iowa State. New members of the 25-year Club are: Gary Atchison and Joe Colletti, natural resources ecology and management; Joel Coats, entomology; Thomas Polito, student services; Roger Ginder, economics; Richard Gladon and Colleen Johnson, horticulture; Randall Holbrook, animal science; Peter Korsching and Vernon Ryan, sociology; Tom Loynachan and Russell Mullen, agronomy; Richard Maher, research and demonstration farms; and Denis McGee, plant pathology. Those in the College of Agriculture who were honored for 35 years of service were: Larry Trede and William Bogue, agricultural education and studies; Alan Atherly, genetic, development and cell biology; Carl Bern, agricultural and biosystems engineering; Marshall Jurgens, animal science; Wayne Rowley, entomology; and Paul White, agronomy.
LEOPOLD CENTER ANNUAL REPORT RELEASED
“The Art of Agriculture” is the theme of the new Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture annual report. To get a free copy, contact the Leopold Center, 4-3711 or leocenter@iastate.edu. The report also can be viewed online: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu [see Publications page].
MARCH CONFERENCE TOPIC FOR BUILDING PROFESSIONALS
The Iowa Frame Builders Conference will be held March 12 at the Quality Inn. Registration deadline is March 5. The conference is intended for building professionals, who will review new techniques for truss installation. The conference is sponsored by ISU Extension and the agricultural and biosystems engineering department. Contact: Beth Weiser, 4-0557 or weiser@iastate.edu.
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE DEGREES TRANSLATE INTO JOBS
Career counselors have been saying it for years. The perception is that agriculture means only farming, but it’s a field rich in career possibilities. When asked about their plans, students who graduated from the College of Agriculture reported they soon would begin a wide range of jobs. Learn more in "Agriculture in Action."
ISU ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH REPORT AVAILABLE ON CD
This year's Iowa State report on animal agriculture is different from previous annual reports in two ways. First, it includes reports on all animal research done at ISU. And second, it is being offered on CD-ROM.
ICIA DIRECTORIES OFFER QUALITY SEED OPTIONS
The Iowa Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) has published two seed directories that include listings of corn, native prairie species, oats, soybeans and wheat seeds. The seed directories are free and available by contacting ICIA, 4-6921. The directories also can be found on the ICIA website.
AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE MARCH 1-2
The 2004 Agriculture and Environment Conference March 1-2 will focus on how agricultural land users can refine management strategies to decrease environmental risk and improve economic efficiency. This year’s conference in the Scheman Building will focus on activities of the Integrated Farm and Livestock Management Demonstration Program. The program features more than 22 speakers and 15 workshops. Learn more: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/2004/feb04/feb0419.html
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
Feb. 26: Value Chain Partnerships for a Sustainable Agriculture anniversary, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Jischke Honors Building
Feb. 28: 33rd Annual Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference, Ottumwa, more: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/2004/jan04/jan0406.html
Feb. 27: University Professional & Scientific Award nominations due Feb. 27: Proposal deadline to college for computer projects sought by Computation Advisory Committee
March 1-2: Agriculture and The Environment Water Quality Conference, Scheman Building
March 3-4: John Pesek Colloquium on Sustainable Agriculture, Daryll Ray, director of the Agricultural Policy Analysis Center at the University of Tennessee, 2:30 to 4 p.m. March 3, Oak Room, Memorial Union; and 7 to 9 p.m. March 4 in the Center for Energy and Environmental Education Auditorium, University of Northern Iowa
March 12: Deadline for nominations, Gamma Sigma Delta awards
April 30: Deadline for registering for the College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Pig Symposium June 4-6, contact: Janean Berhow, 4-3837 or jaberhow@iastate.edu
...................................................
COMMUNICATION KIOSK
...................................................
HELP AVAILABLE FOR NEWS MEDIA REQUESTS
The next time you need help responding to a media request, there are resources available through the College of Agriculture Communications Service. A brochure of tips for providing information to news reporters is available in hard copy or the contents is located online. Feel free to contact the office with any communications question by calling 4-5615.
...................................................
INFOGRAZING
...................................................
ORGANIC FARMING CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND
The Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28, in La Crosse, Wis. The conference is hosted by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, a nonprofit organization that provides trainings, resources and education to producers and others on organic and sustainable agriculture. There will be more than 45 workshops and 130 businesses and organizations with displays and demonstrations. Jerry DeWitt, entomology, will help teach the “Organic Agriculture 101” session. More: http://www.mosesorganic.org.
USDA WEBSITE ON BIOTECH REGULATIONS
A new website provides information about the U.S. oversight system for agricultural biotechnology. It includes information on the roles of the governmental agencies and links to relevant statutes and regulations. The website has a searchable database containing information on all genetically engineered crop plants intended for food or feed that have completed the recommended or required reviews for food, feed or planting use.
PROFESSORS OF THE YEAR DEADLINE APRIL 23
April 23 is the deadline for nominations to the U.S Professors of the Year program. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Council for Advancement and Support of Education and TIAA-CREF sponsor the program that names state and national professors who excel at teaching.
........................................................
EXTERNAL VOICES
........................................................
NEW EYEGLASSES FOR CROSS-POLLINATION OF IDEAS
“We live and work in what I call an ‘innovation ecology,’ a collection of people and organizations whose joint contributions make breakthroughs possible. It includes universities, government funders, venture capitalists, designers, marketing departments and corporate labs. The challenge is to bring ideas together. … Something magical happens when you bring together a group of people from different disciplines with a common purpose. It's a middle zone, the breakthrough zone. The idea is to start a team on a problem -- a hard problem, to keep people motivated. When there's an obstacle, instead of dodging it, bring in another point of view: an electrical engineer, a user interface expert, a sociologist, whatever spin on the market is needed. Give people new eyeglasses to cross-pollinate ideas.” --Mark Stefik, a research fellow and manager at the Palo Alto Research Center (Fast Company, Feb 2004)
........................................................
MARGINALIA
........................................................
GIVING SOLDIERS A SECOND AND THIRD WIND
Researchers at the Pentagon are working on a project to see how far humans can be pushed and remain functional without adequate sleep, food or medical care. Finding new ways to change the body's metabolism is one of the priorities. On a cellular level, researchers will try to stimulate mitochondria, which supply energy to the cells, to increase power production temporarily to give soldiers a second and third wind. A prototype First Strike Ration has been developed to supply ready-to-go high energy: the meal consists of three small sandwiches, "zapple sauce" -- a high-carb applesauce – and caffeinated gum. The military also is looking into sustenance via transdermal patches, similar to the ones smokers use to avoid nicotine cravings. Finally, researchers are looking into the ability of echinacea and other herbal remedies to boost endurance and mental alertness. (Wired, Feb. 17)
Next issue: March 1
........................................................
AG ONLINE
........................................................
EDITORS
Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu, and Brian Meyer, bmeyer@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web 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.