College News
Lawrence Named to USDA Advisory Committee
John Lawrence, economics/extension livestock economist, has been appointed to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. The Secretary of Agriculture appointed Lawrence, who also serves as director of ISU's Iowa Beef Center. The committee's purpose is to advise the secretary and the National Agriculture Statistics Service on agricultural surveys and censuses.
Owen Appointed to NRC Committee on Biotechnology
The National Academies has appointed Micheal Owen, agronomy/extension weed specialist, to the National Research Council Committee on the Impact of Biotechnology on Farm Economics and Sustainability.
Annual Organic Conference Held at ISU Today
The eighth annual Iowa Organic Conference took place today at the Scheman Building. Local organic foods were highlighted, including information on getting more local, organic foods into schools and food services. A trade show of organic products and services was held. Kathleen Delate, horticulture and agronomy, was in charge of the program. Conference partners included: Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, ISU Extension, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Educational Service, Organic Valley/Organic Prairie and Practical Farmers of Iowa.
MATRIC Publishes Book on Feeding Distillers Grains
The Midwest Agribusiness Trade Research and Information Center has published a book on using distillers grains, a co-product of biofuels production, as a feedstuff for livestock and poultry.
Munkvold to Chair Graduate Program in Seed Tech and Business
Gary Munkvold, plant pathology and Seed Science Center Endowed Chair, has been appointed chair of the Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business (STB). More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news_detail.php?var1=700
Crop Science Names Iowa State Agronomist as New Editor
Mark Westgate, agronomy, has been named editor of "Crop Science," the flagship journal of the Crop Science Society of America, effective Jan. 1.
Farm Op Alum to Present Dec. 4 on Oil and Gas Future
ISU alum Sig Cornelius, a ConocoPhillips executive, will speak Dec. 4 on "The Future of Oil and Gas." The senior vice president for planning, strategy and corporate affairs earned a bachelor's degree in farm operations in 1976. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the Alliant Energy-Lee Liu Auditorum, Howe Hall. The event is part of the Engineering Thematic Year on Energy and Sustainability.
Discovery Network Program Features College Faculty
Corn and the efforts of Iowa State to improve it were featured on a new hour-long segment Nov. 14 of "How Stuff Works" on the Discovery Network. Kendall Lamkey, agronomy professor and chair, and Larry Johnson, director of the Center for Crop Utilization Research, are among those highlighted in the program. More: http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?terms=corn&gallery=1&media=video
Faculty, Students Honored at National Meetings
Several agronomy faculty and students were honored last month at the joint annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America, including:
- John Sawyer, Werner L. Nelson Award for Diagnosis of Yield-Limiting Factors
- Lee Burras, Agronomic Resident Education Award
- Jeremy Singer, Young Crop Scientist Award
- Palle Pedersen, ASA-CSSA-SSSA
Early Career Professional Award Faculty honored with Fellow status were:
- Michael Thompson, Soil Science Society of America Fellow and American Society of Agronomy Fellow
- Thomas Kaspar, Soil Science Society of America Fellow
- David Laird, Soil Science Society of America Fellow
- Sylvia Cianzio, American Society of Agronomy Fellow
Three students received awards during the national Students of Agronomy, Soils and Environmental Sciences meetings: Jamie Seeman won the National Research Symposium Contest; Rachael Cox was awarded the Hank Beachell Future Leadership Scholarship; and Nate Anderson was elected national SASES president and named a Golden Opportunity Scholar.
Take Part of ISU Wind Energy Symposium Dec. 9
Gene Takle, agronomy, is among the organizers of Iowa State's first wind energy symposium, set for Dec. 9. It will begin at 8 a.m. in the Alliant Energy-Lee Liu Auditorium, Howe Hall. Iowa State faculty will lead discussion panels on wind turbine system, manufacturing and deployment and infrastructure and delivery.
Workshop Focuses on Ways to Prevent Future Iowa Flooding
"Learning from the Floods of 2008: Practical Strategies for Resilience," a workshop on potential ways to mitigate future flooding, will be Dec. 8 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. Sponsors for the event are the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University and the Center for Energy and Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa. Details: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2008/112008_flood.html
Iowa Learning Farm Offers New Videos
A new video series, "A Culture of Conservation," is available from the Iowa Learning Farm. The series of five short videos explores the relationship humans have with soil and water and offers ways for everyone to have an active role in protecting and preserving the Earth's natural resources. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/releases.htm
New Tool Estimates Markets for 204 Food Products
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has developed an online tool to help farmers, agricultural organizations, public agencies and local food and economic development groups get a "first look" at potential markets. Details: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2008/111708_market.html
Deadlines and Reminders
Nov. 29: Forestry Club Christmas tree and wreath sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Reiman Gardens parking area
Nov. 30: Forestry Club Christmas tree and wreath sale, noon to 6 p.m., Reiman Gardens parking area
Dec. 5: Forestry Club Christmas tree and wreath sale, 3 to 8 p.m., Reiman Gardens parking area
Dec. 6: Forestry Club Christmas tree and wreath sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Reiman Gardens parking area
Dec. 7: Forestry Club Christmas tree and wreath sale, noon to 6 p.m., Reiman Gardens parking area
Dec. 10-11: Iowa State Integrated Crop Management Conference and the Agribusiness Association of Iowa Agribusiness Expo
Dec. 12: Block and Bridle Club sausage and cheese sale order deadline
Dec. 12: Forestry Club Christmas tree and wreath sale, 3 to 6 p.m., Reiman Gardens parking area
Dec. 12: Borlaug Scholar Award and Internship application deadline, contacts: Mark Honeyman, 4-4621 or honeyman@iastate.edu, or David Acker, 4-6614 or dacker@iastate.edu
Dec. 13: Forestry Club Christmas tree and wreath sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Reiman Gardens parking area
Dec. 14: Forestry Club Christmas tree and wreath sale, noon to 6 p.m., Reiman Gardens parking area
Communications Kiosk
Observation not the Same as Observance
Observance means obedience to a rule or custom, as in "the family's observance of Passover." Observation means either a study of something or a remark based on such a study. Example: "a keen observation about the defense strategy." Each term is sometimes used when the other would be better. (The Chicago Manual of style, 15th. ed., 2003)
Infograzing
Grants Offered for International Projects
The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service seeks applications for its International Science and Education Competitive Grants Program. The program supports activities that enhance the capabilities of American colleges and universities to conduct international collaborative research, extension and teaching. Projects are expected to enhance the international content of curricula; ensure that faculty work beyond the U.S. and bring back lessons learned; promote international research partnerships; enhance the use and application of foreign technologies in the U.S.; and strengthen the role that colleges and universities play in maintaining U.S. competitiveness. The deadline for applications is Jan. 16.
Internal Voices
Shepherd on Finding a Niche at Iowa State
"And so, like George Washington Carver, I had also ended up at Iowa State with an interest in plants. As an agronomy and seed science major, I felt I had found my niche here. ... Although I cannot understate the importance of the funding to my own or any other recipient's college education, to me the scholarship meant so much more. It was such an honor to be recognized by the seed industry for all my accomplishments, and to me that meant so very much." -- Lisa Shepherd of the Seed Science Center speaking at last week's dedication of the Carver statue at the center, on the importance of the Iowa Seed Association scholarship she won as an ISU student. Shepherd is director of the National Seed Health System.
Marginalia
Turkey Preparation Subject of USDA Factsheet
"Let's Talk Turkey - A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey" is the title of a fact sheet from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. It covers turkey basics, such as buying, thawing, roasting, handling and serving. And it includes a link to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline (1-888-674-6854) that can personally answer your food safety questions on weekdays year-round.
Ag and Life Sciences Online
Editor
Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616
Website: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
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