Issue: 624

................................................... AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ................................................... The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter Iowa State University Oct. 18, 2010 No. 624 ................................................... COLLEGE NEWS ................................................... RUSSIAN SENATOR SPEAKS ON FAMILY FARMS TONIGHT, OCT. 18 Senator Vladimir Plotnikov, a member of the Upper Chamber of the Russian Parliament and president of the Association of Private Farmers and Cooperatives of Russia, will speak on "Family Farms in Russia and U.S./Russian Collaboration" tonight, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. He will be introduced by Dean Wendy Wintersteen. The lecture is cosponsored by CALS. VILSACK VISITS IOWA FARM WITH AFGHAN AND PAKISTANI AGRICULTURE MINISTERS Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off his participation in the World Food Prize events in Des Moines by visiting a corn and soybean farm with the Pakistani and Afghan Agriculture Ministers on Oct. 13. During their farm tour, Secretary Vilsack and the Ministers participated in a discussion with faculty from CALS about the important role U.S. land-grant universities play in linking extension services to farmers "“ a fundamental piece of American agriculture that is missing in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Attending from ISU were President Geoffroy, Dean Wendy Wintersteen, Vice President for Extension and Outreach Gerald Miller, animal science chair Maynard Hogberg, and agronomy chair Kendall Lamkey. CALS P&S EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE PAY REQUESTS DUE NOV. 1 In 2008, ISU established Exceptional Performance Pay Program Guidelines for Non-Organized P&S Employees. The CALS Cabinet has agreed to implement this policy and has developed the following guidelines. Exceptional Performance Pay Disbursement Request forms for P&S employees are due to the CALS dean's office Nov. 1. The CALS administrative team will evaluate requests before submitting to human resources and the provost office for their review and approval. P&S AWARDS: ISU AND CALS NOMINATION DEADLINES Several awards at the university and college levels are designed to recognize professional and scientific staff. CALS nominations deadline is Nov. 16. Many ISU award nominations for P&S staff are due Feb. 21, 2011. STUDENTS SELECT CALS FAMILY WEEKEND RECEPTION AS "BEST" Approximately 300 guests attended the CALS Family Weekend Reception on Oct. 2. The Family Weekend Committee said their students selected CALS as the "best reception." They were impressed with the availability of faculty and staff, the overall organization and the feel of the reception. Parents appreciated the dean and associate deans being so visible and the faculty and staff being so approachable. NEW PROJECT TO IMPROVE QUALITY SEED ACCESS IN AFRICA ISU seed scientists will partner with regional and national organizations in Malawi, Zambia and Nigeria to conduct a pilot study in Africa on enabling better access to improved seed varieties. The Seed Policy Enhancement in African Regions project is funded by a $1.45 million three-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/oct/subsahara BIO-ASPHALT GETS IT START AT BIOCENTURY RESEARCH FARM Bio-oil, created at the BioCentury Research Farm by a thermochemical process called fast pyrolysis, is being used in a possible green replacement for asphalt. The bio-asphalt was used this fall to pave part of a Des Moines bicycle trail as a demonstration project by the Institute for Transportation's Asphalt Materials and Pavements Program at Iowa State. If the paving material stands up to Iowa weather, it could replace petroleum-based mixes and create a new market for Iowa crop residues. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/oct/Bioasphalt NEW STUDY SHOWS BENEFITS OF Bt CORN TO FARMERS A group of agricultural scientists, including Rick Hellmich, entomology, reported in the Oct. 7 issue of the journal "Science" that corn that has been genetically engineered to produce insect-killing proteins isolated from the soil bacterium Bt provides significant economic benefits even to neighboring farmers who grow non-transgenic varieties of corn. REPORT DETAILS FARMERS' VIEWS ON CONSERVATION FUNDING A new Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll report has been released titled "Farmers' Views on Conservation Funding and Iowa's Water and Land Legacy Amendment." On Nov. 2, Iowans will have the opportunity to vote on an amendment to the Iowa constitution referred to as "Iowa's Water and Land Legacy." The 2010 Farm Poll contained a number of questions to gain an understanding of how farmers feel about funding for conservation in general and the proposed amendment in particular. DOLCE JOINS CALS DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Nick Dolce has joined the CALS development office as a director of development. He will be responsible for the management of a portfolio of individual donors and corporations through personal contacts and relationship building efforts. Dolce comes from the University of Illinois at Springfield where he was associate director of development and assistant athletic director for development. Contact: Nick Dolce, njdolce@iastate.edu, 4-9328. ORDERS FOR GOURMET CARAMEL APPLES DUE OCT. 22 The Culinary Science Club is selling gourmet caramel apples dipped in caramel or caramel and chocolate for $3 or four for $10. Orders are due Friday, Oct. 22, and the apples will be available for pick-up or delivery on Oct. 29. The club also will be selling caramel apples and "boo snack" bags Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the LeBaron Hall lobby. More: Katherine Ruff, kjruff@iastate.edu MIDWEST REGIONAL PRE-VETERINARY SYMPOSIUM, OCT. 23 The sixth Biennial Midwest Regional Pre-Veterinary Symposium will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, on the ISU campus. The symposium is an opportunity for students seeking a career in the veterinary field to gain experience, knowledge and network with other students with similar interests. The symposium is sponsored by the ISU Pre-Veterinary Club and CALS. ANIMAL SCIENCE THINK TANK, OCT. 25 John Lawrence will present "Food System Choices: Where, How and for Whom Will We Produce Food?" at the monthly Think Tank venue which begins with a social at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m., preceding the presentation at 7 p.m. in the Pazzesco (formerly The Broiler). Please register your attendance by e-mailing Jane Linn at jlinn@iastate.edu on or before noon on Friday, Oct. 22. The inclusive cost of the meal is $15 at the door. NEIL HARL TO PRESENT DEAL LECTURE, OCT. 27 Neil Harl will present the 2010 William K. Deal Endowed Leadership Lecture on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. In his presentation, "Building an Enduring Leadership Platform," Harl will share key lessons learned from understanding the leadership opportunities encountered throughout his career in farm finance, taxation and agricultural law. The event is free and open to the public. FACULTY DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR ON ABE STUDENT OUTCOMES, NOV. 8 A faculty development seminar on "Student Outcomes Assessment: What have we learned from the Department of Ag & Biosystems Engineering?" will be held Nov. 8, 12 to 1 p.m. in the Memorial Union Cardinal Room. Presenters from ABE are Tom Brumm, Steven Mickelson, Amy Kaleita and Raj Raman. The seminar is co-sponsored by the following CALS committees: faculty development, curriculum and outcomes assessment. Bring your lunch, beverages will be provided. APPLICATIONS FOR BORLAUG-THOMSON SUMMER INTERNSHIP DUE DEC. 12 Student applications are being accepted through Dec. 12 for the Borlaug-Thomson Summer Internship in Cresco. 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 community, the intern will assist in preparations for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest as well as engaging in related community affairs. More: David Acker, dacker@iastate.edu, 4-6614. TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL SOIL JUDGING CONTEST HOSTED BY ISU The Montezuma FFA Chapter topped 28 other high school teams to win the 2010 FFA State Soil Judging Contest Oct. 16. This year's event marked the 29th year the soil judging contest was hosted by Iowa State. The second through fifth place teams were: Manson, Denison, Columbus Junction and Clarinda. The top five teams are eligible to represent Iowa at the International Land Judging Contest next May in Oklahoma. This year's contest was held at the Horticulture Farm located near Gilbert. The contest was coordinated by Gerald Miller, agronomy, and Alan Spencer, Iowa Department of Education. Iowa State faculty and staff who helped with the contest included Lee Burras, Erik Christian, Tom Fenton and Angela Rieck-Hinz, agronomy; Nick Howell, Brandon Carpenter and Dennis Portz, research and demonstration farms; Virgil Schmitt, Extension Field Agronomist; and Rich Pope, Harrison County Extension. Alex Maeder, Shannon Mitchell, Tyler Reimers, Matt Riessen and Joe Thomas, undergraduate students in agronomy, assisted with the contest. Kendall Lamkey, chair of the Department of Agronomy presented the top scoring individual, Tyler Swenson, Montezuma, a scholarship certificate for $500 for future enrollment in the ISU agronomy department. Sponsors included the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, the Professional Soil Classifiers of Iowa, the Iowa FFA Foundation, the Iowa Department of Education, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the agronomy department, CALS and ISU Extension. BORLAUG STUDENT POSTER WINNERS ANNOUNCED The 9th annual Borlaug Student Poster Competition was held Oct. 11, preceding the Borlaug Lecture by the 2010 World Food Prize Laureates. The posters addressed world food issues. Undergraduate winners were: * First place "“ Windbreaks and Living Fences at Namasagali Primary School. The team included Katherine Taylor and Andrew Stammer, agronomy. * Second place "“ Sanitation Education for Increased Health of Primary School Children in Uganda. The team included Jacob Hunter, ag and life sciences education, and Sean Lundy, global resource systems. * Third place "“ Integrating Rainfall Measurement into the School Garden Curriculum at Namasagali Primary School, Uganda. The team included Ellen Franzenburg, ag engineering. Graduate student winners were: * First place "“ Five Propositions of Global Food Insecurity, Governance and Human Development: A Case Study of Pakistan's Governance and Food Security Nexus. Roshan Malik, rural sociology. * Second place "“ Improving Nutrition and Income of Rural Farmers in Kamuli, Uganda through Training and Facilitation in Animal Production. The team included Agatha Ampaire, animal science. * Third place "“ Validation of Ferritin Assay Protocol for Screening High Iron Bioavailability Phaseolus Vulgaris Varieties. The team included Martin Mutambuka, food science and technology. EXTENSION POSTS VIDEO ON MANURE PUMPING SAFETY All producers and commercial manure applicators should be aware of safety concerns with agitating and pumping from manure storage structures. The Iowa Manure Management Action Group, along with the Iowa Pork Producers Association and ISU Extension, has posted a video to the IMMAG site highlighting safety concerns and best practices to reduce the potential for flash fires or explosions in barns with foaming issues. SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF FSHN NEWS AVAILABLE ONLINE The September issue of the Food Science and Human Nutrition newsletter is available online. FALL ISSUE OF LEOPOLD LETTER AVAILABLE ONLINE The fall 2010 issue of the quarterly newsletter for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is available online. DEADLINES AND REMINDERS Oct. 19: CALS Career Day, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lied Recreation Athletic Center Oct. 22: Bidding ends for CALS online auction for United Way Oct. 23: Horticulture Club Fall Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Horticulture Research Station. ................................................... EXTERNAL FUNDING ................................................... NEW ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR NIFA Effective Oct. 1, a new organizational structure was implemented for the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The new structure includes four institutes: Food Production and Sustainability; Bioenergy, Climate and Environment; Food Safety and Nutrition; and Youth, Family and Community. A Center for International Programs resides within the Office of the Director. ZOONOSES: ANIMAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN HEALTH CONNECTIONS BROWN-BAG LUNCH Susan Lamont, Joel Coats and Julie Blanchong recently participated in the symposium, "Zoonoses: Understanding the Animal Agriculture and Human Health Connection." Join them for an informal discussion on Thursday, Oct. 21, 12 to 1 p.m. in 8 Curtiss Hall as they share their perceptions of the opportunities, actions and priorities that are relevant and important for ISU. The topic of zoonoses is especially important for the "One Health" initiative. Bring your own lunch; beverages and cookies will be provided. More: rclemens@iastate.edu GRADUATE EDUCATION STUDY CIRCLE: BROADENING PARTICIPATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS SP@ISU (Strengthening the Professoriate) has announced a series of lunchtime graduate education study circles. The first study circle will be held on Nov. 9 from 12 to 2 p.m. in 2030 Morrill Hall and will focus on examples and ideas for partnerships with faculty from minority-serving institutions and partnerships with these institutions as a whole. Register at spisu@iastate.edu. Contacts: Drena Dobbs, ddobbs@iastate.edu, and Adin Mann, jamann@iastate.edu. FUNDS FOR BIOTECH EVENTS AVAILABLE FROM OFFICE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY The Office of Biotechnology is providing funds for biotechnology-related conferences, symposia and workshops that are held on campus and organized by faculty members or jointly by a faculty sponsor and graduate students. Applications are due by Nov. 1 for proposed events for the remainder of 2010 and the 2011 calendar year. FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu UPDATE: Nov. 5 (notice of intent to submit preproposal): Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research, Inc. 2011 Competitions "“ Bioenergy and the Environment; one or two years, $20,000 to $183,000. More: W. Corey Pittman, Research Grants Coordinator, cpittman@cpbr.org or (912) 638-4900. Nov. 10: East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students; $5,000 stipend plus travel and living expenses. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5284&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&… Nov. 11: National Pork Board's General Call for Proposals for 2011. Nov. 12: RAPID Proposals for Analysis of Climate Model Simulations for the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report; 10 to 15 awards, $30,000 per award. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11006/nsf11006.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_179 Nov. 15 (informal notice of intent): US-Mexico Border Environmental Education, Outreach and Support Program; two awards, $250,000 per year over five years. Nov. 19: Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Flex-Fund RFP - Improving The Science Foundation For Bird Conservation; $50,000, requires 1:1 match. Jan. 13: Virtual Organizations as Sociotechnical Systems; eight to 18 new awards of $50,000 to $400,000. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11501/nsf11501.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT… Sept. 30: Dept. of Energy FY2011 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program; $800 million total anticipated funding. ................................................... COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK ................................................... ALREADY VS. ALL READY Already refers to time. (The movie has already started.) All ready refers to people's preparation. (Are the actors all ready?) The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003. ................................................... INFOGRAZING ................................................... EARTH IS PARCHED WHERE SYRIAN FARMS THRIVED The farmlands spreading north and east of the Euphrates River in Syria were once the breadbasket of the region, a vast expanse of golden wheat fields and bucolic sheep herds. Now, after four consecutive years of drought, this heartland of the Fertile Crescent "“ including much of neighboring Iraq "“ appears to be turning barren, climate scientists say. Ancient irrigation systems have collapsed, underground water sources have run dry and hundreds of villages have been abandoned as farmlands turn to cracked desert and grazing animals die off. Sandstorms have become far more common, and vast tent cities of dispossessed farmers and their families have risen up around the larger towns and cities of Syria and Iraq. More: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/world/middleeast/14syria.html?_r=1&th… ................................................... INTERNAL VOICES ................................................... MISRA ON PROVIDING QUALITY SEED TO AFRICA "The SPEAR project speaks to what we are about here at the center "“ providing quality seed to the world. We are proud to be a part of this project that can truly enhance the sustainability of smallholder farmers in Africa who currently face limited resources." Manjit Misra, director of the Seed Science Center, on the Seed Policy Enhancement in African Regions project funded by a $1.45 million three-year grant. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/oct/subsahara ................................................... EXTERNAL VOICES ................................................... BORLAUG POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED UNITED NATIONS AGRICOLA MEDAL "The conferring of this award to the memory of my grandfather further validates and recognizes his work and his legacy. But the challenge of helping feed an ever-growing world population and providing food security for all, especially those in underdeveloped and developing countries, continues to be and will remain the mission of the institute which bears his name and shares his vision." Julie Borlaug Larson, granddaughter of Norman Borlaug and director for partnerships of the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture, accepted the Agricola Medal from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization that was awarded posthumously to Norman Borlaug during the recent World Food Security Conference in Rome. ................................................... MARGINALIA ................................................... McGRATH RECEIVES TOP RED CROSS LIFESAVING AWARD Clarke McGrath, partner program manager for the Corn and Soybean Initiative, has received the Red Cross Certificate of Recognition for Extraordinary Personal Action "“ the organization's top award for lifesaving bestowed on those who employ Red Cross lifesaving skills to save a human life. McGrath and two others were honored with the award for providing essential basic life support to a Harlan man who suffered a major heart attack while playing basketball at a local gym on Aug. 20. ........................................................ AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ........................................................ 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.