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COLLEGE NEWS
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RADIO AD FEATURES NEIL HARL'S MESSAGE FOR CAMPAIGN IOWA STATE
Beginning today (Monday), radio ads featuring emeritus distinguished professor Neil Harl will be aired on the WHO Radio programs Van & Bonnie Show and The Big Show and on the Iowa Radio Network. In September, Harl and his wife Darlene announced a major gift in support of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In the ad, Harl delivers a message on the importance of private giving and encourages others to explore ways that their gifts can support ISU. The ads, which will run through mid-November, are paid for by private donations to the College. Here's a webpage on the Harls, their support for the College and Campaign Iowa State, and a link to an audio file of the ad: http://www.foundation.iastate.edu/site/PageServer?pagename=isu_harl
CALS OPEN FORUM WITH PRESIDENT AND PROVOST ON NOV. 6
President Geoffroy and Provost Hoffman will visit the college on Friday, Nov. 6. Part of that visit will include a faculty/staff open forum from 2 to 3 p.m. in the CCUR Theatre, 1951 Food Science Bldg.
IOWA STATE RESEARCHERS HAVE STAKE IN EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY NOV. 1 SATELLITE LAUNCH
Brian Hornbuckle, agronomy, and other researchers at Iowa State will be watching when the European Space Agency launches a new satellite Sunday. That's because the information the satellite will gather is an important part of their research efforts. Hornbuckle's research group will host a Launch Party in 3140 Agronomy Hall at 7 p.m. Nov. 1.
TRINA ZIMMER JOINS CALS ADMINISTRATION
Trina Zimmer is Dean Wintersteen's new administrative specialist. Zimmer has served as a secretary in the animal science department the past several years and has been employed by ISU since 1994. Joyce Shiers, who is retiring after 48 years of service, will be working with Zimmer over the next few weeks during the transition. Zimmer's email address is trina@iastate.edu.
CALS TO SPONSOR NOV. 8 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAME AND HONOR JOYCE SHIERS
The College will be a sponsor of the Nov. 8 women's basketball game against Minnesota Crookston. During the game, CALS will recognize Joyce Shiers for her 48 years of service. Shiers is a long-time fan of the women's basketball team. The game is at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8. For tickets go to:
http://www.cyclones.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&KEY=&SPID=4253…
SOIL TILTH FACILITY HAS NEW NAME
The former National Soil Tilth Laboratory has a new name: National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment. The new name broadens the mission and better indicates the scope of research done in the lab. It is part of the group of research sites within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. More: http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=36-25-15-00
NEW MARKETING RESOURCE HELPS LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS FACE VOLATILE PRICES
Livestock economists working with the Iowa Beef Center and ISU Extension have developed the Cattle "Crush Margin" tool, now available online. This forecasting resource projects the gross margins of fed cattle that will be marketed over the next 16 months. The projections are based on futures prices and the historic Iowa basis for live cattle, feeder cattle and corn.
WEBCAST ON DEALING WITH STRESS IN AG COMMUNITY OCT. 28
A webinar to assist Extension staff in working with farmers, lenders, agribusinesses and others who are under stress due to financial and other problems is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
IOWA LEARNING FARM FIELD DAY POSTPONED TO NOV. 19
The Iowa Learning Farm strip-till field day at Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg has been postponed from Oct. 28 to Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The field day will allow farmers to see strip-tillage equipment in action from several suppliers and hear from educators and experienced farmers who have been practicing strip-tillage. The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is recommended.
IOWA SEED ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE NOV. 2
Applications are due Nov. 2 for the 2009 Iowa Seed Association scholarships. At least seven $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of academic excellence, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated interest in seed science and the seed industry. For more information: Richard Gladon, gladon@iastate.edu, 4-1957.
SOILS JUDGING TEAM ADVANCES TO NATIONALS
For the fourth consecutive year, the ISU soils judging team has qualified for the national competition. The team placed third overall at last week's American Society of Agronomy Region 5 contest. The team will travel to Lubbock, Texas, in April to compete in the national contest.
CAREER DAY SUCCESS FEATURED IN SLIDESHOW
The CALS Career Day was held Oct. 13 at the Lied Recreation Center to provide more room for employers and students. More than 150 employers and 1,400 students attended the event. Following Career Day, the college hosted the busiest on-campus interview day of the year in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. Mike Gaul, director of CALS Career Services, reported there were about 525 individual interviews conducted Oct. 14. You can view photos and listen to interviews from Career Day online.
STUDENTS USE VIDEO GAMES TO ASSESS PEOPLE'S HEALTH
Lorraine Lanningham-Foster's students use video games to assess people's health. Lanningham-Foster, an assistant professor in the department of food science and human nutrition, is featured in a video clip online.
CONFERENCE: FEEDING FORAGES TO LIVESTOCK NOV. 23-24
Grass-fed beef will be the focus of this year's Iowa Forage and Grasslands Council Conference, Nov. 23-24 in Des Moines. Speakers from the Iowa Beef Center, ISU Extension and the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center will present on topics ranging from alternative uses for forages, to storing and feeding your forages.
CONFERENCE: TECHNOLOGY'S ROLE IN SEEDSTOCK PRODUCTION DEC. 10
The Iowa Beef Center will host a seedstock conference Dec. 10 in Ames. It is intended for bull breeders in Iowa and will highlight new technology and its place in long-standing practices.
BORLAUG SCHOLAR AWARD AND INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE DEC. 12
Applications are due Dec. 12 for the 2010 Borlaug Scholar Award and Internship. One sophomore, junior or senior with a CALS major will be awarded the internship, to take place in Cresco for eight weeks during summer 2010. In support of the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation and the historic Borlaug Farm, the intern will be engaged in education and curriculum development, communications and landscape design. In support of the Cresco Chamber of Commerce, the intern will assist in preparations for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest as well as engaging in related community affairs. The College and the ISU Agricultural Endowment sponsor the program. For more information contact David Acker, dacker@iastate.edu, 4-6614.
FAIRFIELD COUPLE WINS SPENCER AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Francis and Susan Thicke, whose Radiance Farm organic dairy products are marketed in the Fairfield area, have earned this year's Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2009/102609_Thicke.html
AG SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY CLUB SERVICES 61 SNOWBLOWERS
The Ag Systems Technology Club serviced 61 snowblowers on Oct. 23-24. The annual student event included oil and sparkplug change, air filter cleaning and gas.
FORESTRY ALUM APPOINTED TO SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY
Jim Gulliford, ISU forestry alumni, has been appointed executive director of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, effective Nov. 2. Gulliford has an extensive history in soil and water conservation, agriculture and environmental protection. Most recently he served as EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. More: http://www.swcs.org/
FOOD SAFETY CONSORTIUM ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE
The Food Safety Consortium has released its 2008-09 annual report. The consortium consists of researchers from the University of Arkansas, Iowa State University and Kansas State University. The annual report includes a section on ISU research.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
Oct. 27: Ambassador Manatt presents Deal Lecture, 7 p.m., Sun Room, Memorial Union
Oct. 27: Pesek Colloquium on Biodiversity, 8 p.m., Great Hall, Memorial Union
Oct. 28: Strip-till field day, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Iowa Lakes Community College, Emmetsburg http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/events.html
Oct. 30: Open forum on proposed name change for department of plant pathology, 2 p.m., 210 Bessey Hall.
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EXTERNAL FUNDING
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TIPS FOR PREPARING PROPOSALS FOR USDA'S SPECIALITY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE
Jerry DeWitt, Leopold Center director, presented the following recommendations at the Oct. 6 workshop on preparing a successful grant application for the USDA specialty crop research initiative. DeWitt served as panel manager for the specialty crop initiative for the past two years.
-- Build and document the case for how the proposed work evolved. (e.g., approached by industry, results from focus groups).
-- Document industry/stakeholder need for this work. Show strong stakeholder/industry support and participation.
-- Include a clear literature review of key research and show the position of the proposed work.
-- Propose a truly multidisciplinary project.
-- Propose a multistate/multi-regional project that extends beyond states directly adjacent to Iowa.
-- Address sociological elements of the work.
-- Address two to three focus areas.
-- Provide a well-developed outreach, Extension or delivery plan.
-- Document the 100% required match and ensure the match qualifies.
-- Ensure that the proposal is complete, well-organized and submitted on time.
An additional recommendation for PIs is to be specific about the topic and the science in preparing letters of intent.
NON-FEDERAL FUNDING AGENCIES FOCUS OF VPR/ED WORKSHOP NOV. 3
Non-federal funding sources is the topic of a workshop on Nov. 3, noon to 2 p.m. in the Gold Room, Memorial Union. The workshop will cover funding sources including industry, state programs, state and federal transportation programs, and commodity groups, and feature presentations about IPRT centers, Ames Lab and the Institute for Transportation Research. The workshop is part of the faculty orientation and development series sponsored by the Office of the VPR/ED. All interested faculty and staff are welcome to attend. To register, contact Laurie Engleen, lengleen@iastate.edu.
FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
Dec. 7: Dept. of Ed., Office of Postsecondary Education, Student Support Services; 871 new awards, $220,000 to $308,000; $269 million total anticipated funding.
Dec. 9: Ecology of Infectious Diseases; seven awards, $8.5 million total anticipated funding. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08601/nsf08601.htm
Feb. 5: USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants; $150,000 to $500,000, $5.2 million total anticipated funding. More: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/10_hec.pdf
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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CALS WEB SITE HAS UPDATED NEWS PAGES AND CALENDAR
The news site on the College's web site has been updated. It includes the college's news releases, Ag and Life Sciences Online, links to department and center news and a new college calendar. News releases and Ag and Life Sciences Online are available via RSS and the college calendar can be synced with iCal or Outlook. If you have an event to add to the calendar there is an email to provide information. The information is searchable and can be shared through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and by e-mail. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/
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INFOGRAZING
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OPEN HOUSES FOR BIOTECH RESEARCH FACILITIES
In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Office of Biotechnology, faculty, staff and students are invited to tour and learn more about the research facilities at ISU through fall 2009 and spring 2010. The Microscopy and NanoImaging Facility will have an open house on Nov. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m.
IOWA TURKEY FEDERATION LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE
The Iowa Turkey Federation has launched a new web site, providing visitors with information on Iowa's turkey industry. Viewers will be able to see who raises turkeys, how to cook turkey, and fun facts and information on the turkey industry. More: http://www.iowaturkey.org/
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INTERNAL VOICES
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PERSIA ADDRESSES IOWA TURKEY PRODUCERS
"I hope to continue and honor ISU's strong history of leadership and innovation in poultry nutrition and education," said Mike Persia, recently hired poultry nutrition faculty member, in a letter to Iowa turkey producers, published in Turkey Talk, Issue 3, 2009, produced by the Iowa Turkey Federation.
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EXTERNAL VOICES
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UNDERWOOD REFLECTS ON THE LIFE OF LOUIS M. THOMPSON
"Dr. Thompson, you were the rain, the fertilizer and the sunshine. And we were the crops. Your influence was the nitrogen, your leadership the seed genetics, and your guiding hand the cultivation that nurtured our young and growing lives. And later in life, as adults, we all enjoyed a bountiful harvest because of you." Roger Underwood, 1980 alumnus in agriculture business, who spoke at a memorial service for Louis M. Thompson, held Oct. 24. Underwood is CEO of Becker Underwood and a member of the ISU Foundation Board of Governors.
AG CAREER DAY A SUCCESS
"Thanks for putting on a great career day fair. As a vendor I can tell you it was a pleasure" It was well organized" and the students are top notch!" From a message sent to the Career Services office from Darlene Reinarts, vice president of human resources at Cloverdale Foods and a vendor at the Oct. 13 CALS Career Day. "
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MARGINALIA
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FARM SIMULATION GAME POPULAR ON FACEBOOK
FarmVille, a real-time farm simulation game developed by Zynga, is available as an application on the social networking website Facebook. Players manage a virtual farm by planting, growing and harvesting crops and livestock. Nurturing the farm is the key to success for players and their network of fellow farmer friends. According to Zynga, since its launch in June, FarmVille is the largest and fastest growing social game in history, attracting an average of more than 1 million new daily active users a week.
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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart, jstewart@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
SUBSCRIBE
Ag and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag and Life Sciences Online subscribe" to jstewart@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag and Life Sciences Online unsubscribe."
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.