College News
College Town Meeting on Biorenewables Nov. 7
College of Agriculture faculty and staff are invited to a town meeting on biorenewable resources on Nov. 7. It will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. in the South Ballroom, Memorial Union. The meeting is planned as a follow-up to President Geoffroy's university town meeting on biorenewables. The meeting was originally scheduled for October 31.
New Scholarship for International Interns
The College of Agriculture has created a new scholarship for Borlaug-Ruan International Interns who enroll in the College. It was established in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the World Food Prize and was announced during the prize's Youth Institute. The scholarship is for $1000.
Student Blogger Advises Following Passion
College blogger Clark Richardson's latest entry outlines his marching band, honors program, freshman orientation, homecoming and Cyclone Aide experiences. Richardson advises students to find something they enjoy instead of just building a resume. "You will be able to make a much larger contribution if you can dive into something about which you are passionate, and you will find it much more rewarding in the long run."
Seminar Nov. 8 on Uganda Project
The Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods will present a special seminar Nov. 8 titled, "Matooke, Enkoko and Bazungu" (translation: bananas, chickens and foreigners): A Service Learning Project in Uganda. The session will consist of an undergraduate student panel discussion group including: Lee Beck, horticulture; Eric Nonnecke, nutritional science; Melissa Nasers, agricultural education; Mark Tekippe, electrical engineering; Rachael Cox, agronomy; and Elizabeth Sukup, public service and administration in agriculture. It will be from 4:10-5 p.m. in 3164 Gerdin.
Soil Judging Team Second at Regional Contest
The Iowa State soil judging team placed second overall at the American Society of Agronomy regional soil judging contest Oct. 1-6 at Kansas State University. Four of the team members placed among the top 10 in the individual competition that included 48 participants. The team earned second place out of seven in the group-judging portion of the contest. The team is qualified to compete at the national competition hosted by Utah State University in spring 2007. The team consisted of John Hammerly, a senior in agronomy from Newton; Nick Ihde, a junior in agricultural business from Prairie du Chien, Wis.; David Laubenthal, a junior in agronomy from Wesley; Curtis Maeder, a sophomore in ag engineering from Creston; Jana Matthiesen, a senior in agricultural studies from Bryant; Grant Nelson, a junior in agronomy from Greenfield; Adam Peterson, a senior in agronomy from Boone; and Ashley Raes, a sophomore in agronomy from Johnston. Jon Sandor, agronomy professor, and Amber Anderson, an agronomy graduate student from Aurelia, coach the team.
Meat Judging Team Third in Competition
The Meats Team finished third overall at the Iowa State Invitational Meat Judging Contest Oct. 7. The team included Jana Matthiesen, a senior in agricultural studies; Ben Olson, a junior in agricultural studies; Brandon Goehring, a junior in animal science; and Dan Determan, a junior in hotel, restaurant and institutional management. The team was fourth in pork judging, beef judging and specifications and third in beef grading. The team is coached by Roxanne Knock.
Block & Bridle Club Offers Summer Sausage and Cheese
The Block & Bridle Club kicks off its annual summer sausage and cheese sale today. The sale is the largest fund-raising event for the club. The summer sausage is made in the ISU Meat Lab and the cheese comes from one of the best cheese factories in Wisconsin. The deadline for orders is Dec. 15. Order forms are available online.
Leopold Center Newsletter Available by Email
Notes from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is the name of the center's new emailed newsletter. A PDF version of the newsletter is on the web. You can sign up for the newsletter online.
Ride and Drive Event Friday
New tractors and tillage equipment will be available for driving at the Ag Systems Technology Club's annual Ride and Drive event Friday, Nov. 3. Companies exhibiting include John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, Orthman Manufacturing, Outback Guidance, Ag Leader and Krause. Ride and Drive will be located northwest of Nevada at the intersection of 210th Street and 640th Avenue. The event will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a free lunch will be provided at noon.
ISU Research on Effects of Ethanol Expansion
Researchers at Iowa State will evaluate the costs and benefits of ethanol expansion to rural communities in the Upper Mississippi River Basin as part of a $676,722 biofuels research grant. The study is considered the first to attempt a simultaneous assessment of the impacts of corn-based ethanol expansion on crop prices, cropping patterns, water quality and regional economic indicators.
ISU to Study Impacts of More Energy Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided $275,000 in research funding to the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development to provide estimates of the impact on farmers, consumers and international trade from increased energy production from agriculture.
College of Agriculture Awards Presented Oct. 20
Two men who have made important contributions to the agriculture industry were honored Oct. 20 as part of an Iowa State Alumni Association awards ceremony. Both awards are given annually by the College of Agriculture. In addition, an award presented for the first time in 2006 went to a retired professor and his wife.
Researchers Improving Plastics from Corn and Soy Proteins
David Grewell, assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, is one of several Iowa State researchers working to reinforce biorenewable and biodegradable plastics made from corn and soy proteins.
Pioneer Hi-Bred is National "Friend of Extension"
Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. has been named the 2006 National Epsilon Sigma Phi "Friend of Extension." The award will be presented at the national Epsilon Sigma Phi conference Nov. 17 in Annapolis, Md.
Reiman Gardens Wins Three Iowa Tourism Awards
Reiman Gardens was the only Iowa attraction to receive three awards in a recent competition related to Iowa tourism. Learn more: http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&nodeI…
Video of Biorenewables Resources Meeting
The Oct. 23 "town hall" meeting to discuss Iowa State's efforts and opportunities in the area of biorenewables and renewable fuels is available online. Led by President Geoffroy, the meeting featured numerous ISU experts in biorewables and drew nearly 400 participants. Access the video online.
Jane Honored with Award of Merit
Jay-lin Jane, food science and human nutrition, recently was honored by the Japanese Society of Applied Glycoscience with its 2006 Merit of Science Award. The society selects one carbohydrate scientist annually from the world for the award.
NACTA Membership Reduces Rate for Individuals
The College has renewed its institutional membership to the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA). It allows individual members to join at a reduced rate of $50. More: http://www.nactateachers.org/
Deadlines & Reminders
Nov. 13: "Perspectives on Present and Future Corn-Based Ethanol Industry," 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., pre-registration is required
Nov. 15: Deadline for Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship grant opportunity, contact: Stacey Noe, 4-4945 or snoe@iastate.edu, more: http://www.entrepreneurship.ag.iastate.edu/
Nov. 15: Deadline for Distance Education Grant proposals, more: http://www.brenton.iastate.edu
Nov. 20: Iowa Organic Conference, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Scheman Building, more: http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic06/home.html
Dec. 15: Deadline for Center for Integrated Animal Genomics grant proposals
Communications Kiosk
Is it Partake in or Partake Of?
To "partake in" is to participate in, as in "the new student refused to partake in class discussions." To "partake of" is either to get a part of, as in "partake of the banquet" or to have a quality at least to some extent, as in "this assault partakes of revenge." (The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003)
Infograzing
Higher Education Challenge Grants Program Requests Applications
The Higher Education Challenge grants program request for applications is available on the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service and Grants.gov websites. Applications must be submitted electronically by Feb. 1 through Grants.gov.
CSREES Moves to Enhance Services
Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service has released recommendations based on its first nationwide customer service satisfaction survey. More than 1,300 administrators, business officers and grant applicants/recipients responded to group-specific surveys, highlighting the agency's strengths and the areas that need to be enhanced to meet specific group needs. You may review the agency's commitments to enhance program leadership and grant administration online.
Report Details Decline in Some Pollinator Populations
A new National Research Council report says some North American pollinators -- bees, birds, and other creatures that spread pollen so plant fertilization occurs -- are declining. Research indicates that shortages of pollinators for agriculture already exist and that decreases in wild pollinator populations could disrupt ecosystems in the future. More: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11761.html.
Environment and Human Health Conference in February
The National Council for Science and the Environment will hold its seventh national conference on Integrating Environment and Human Health Feb. 1 and 2 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The deadline for discounted registration is Nov. 17. More: http://www.ncseonline.org/2007conference/
External Voices
Career Fair Students Impress Recruiter
"I wanted to drop you a quick note because I neglected to complete the survey this afternoon before we left. The career fair was a success for us. What I found most interesting vs. most other fairs we have attended over the years was the level of commitment from your student body. I believe this can only stem from the commitment of your faculty, staff and departments as a whole. Instead of ill-dressed students who run through a career fair because they are required to and wanting to collect the giveaways, this group of young men and women were dressed for success, did their homework by knowing who they wanted to visit with, came with some knowledge about us and was confident asking appropriate questions. Imagine that! It is a strong signal to us attending the fair that meaningful time is being spent with them and you are committed to their future. It was refreshing. We hope to gain some new employees through our experience today. Thanks go to you and all the others who played a role in its success. We look forward to building our relationship with the university."
-- Staffing Specialist with a Midwest food processing company in an email to Mike Gaul about Ag Career Day
Marginalia
Cows to Power Vermont College
Vermont's Green Mountain College is using cow manure to generate power, according to Reuters. The 750-student college in Poultney has joined Central Vermont Public Service's Cow Power program, which converts waste on local farms to energy. A typical Vermont dairy cow produces around 13 gallons of manure daily. Vermont has the highest cow-to-people ratio in the United States, with 300,000 cattle and calves and a little more than 600,000 people, according to state figures. The college is expected to purchase 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy through CVPS Cow Power™ annually. (Reuters, Oct. 27)
Next issue: Nov. 6
Ag Online
Editor: Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
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