Issue: 656

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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
June 20, 2011 No. 656

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COLLEGE NEWS
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ROELFS JOINS COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Sarah Roelfs began June 6 as director of development in the College's development office.  She earned a bachelor's degree in Agriculture Studies from Iowa State University in 2002 and has been working in agricultural businesses since graduation.  She is from Lake Mills.

STUDENT CLUB PROCESSES VEGETABLE OIL INTO BIODIESEL TO FUEL CYRIDE
ISU'S BioBus Club is taking steps toward fueling CyRide by processing vegetable oil from the dining centers into biodiesel.

HYBRID LAB MAKES BIORENEWABLE FUELS AND PRODUCTS
The Hybrid Processing Laboratory, located in ISU's Biorenewables Research Laboratory, is where researchers in biochemical and thermochemical sciences work together to develop technologies that produce biorenewable fuels and chemicals. It's a showcase for the multidisciplinary work promoted by ISU's Bioeconomy Institute. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2011/jun/hybridlab

HISPANIC POPULATION CONTINUES TO RISE IN IOWA
More than 151,000 Iowans claimed Hispanic or Latino origin on the 2010 census questionnaire. This is the largest minority group in the state at five percent, according to Sandra Burke, economics. Details are in the ISU Extension report "Race and Hispanic Origin in Iowa's Counties, 1980-2010."

DEADLINE FOR SPRING ONLINE DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES, AUG. 5
A new Online Distance Education Course Initiation System has been developed for CALS to manage this growing program (198 courses offered in FY11 and 2,002 students enrolled). Contact your departmental representative for more information, or Gaylan Scofield, ggs@iastate.edu, 4-0045. The deadline for submitting spring 2012 courses is Aug. 5.

LEOPOLD CENTER PRE-PROPOSALS DUE AUG. 15
The Leopold Center is looking for innovative ideas that will help fulfill its mission to identify and reduce negative environmental and socio-economic impact of agricultural practices and contribute to the development of profitable farming systems that conserve natural resources. The deadline is Aug. 15. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2011/061611_rfp.html

UPCOMING WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHTS BENEFICIAL INSECTS
A workshop exploring how to enhance the ecosystem services provided by beneficial insects will be held Aug. 4, hosted by the departments of entomology and natural resource ecology and management. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2011/061411_insects.ht…

WISE RECOGNIZED BY USDA'S AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
Roger Wise, plant pathology and USDA Agricultural Research Service's Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit in Ames, was recognized last week by ARS for distinguished research and leadership in genomics of disease interactions in cereal crops. More: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2011/110615.htm

ARS also recognized several College alumni:
* Robert Graybosch, a research geneticist with ARS Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit, Lincoln, Neb., was presented the Area Senior Research Scientists award for sustained research innovation and productivity leading to wheat cultivars with improved yield, quality and disease resistance. He earned a doctorate in genetics in 1984.
* Amy Vincent, research scientist at the ARS Virus and Prion Diseases Research Unit, Ames, Iowa, received the Area Early Career Research Scientist Award for swine influenza virus pathogenesis, transmission and vaccine research supporting the U.S. swine industry. She earned a bachelor's degree in animal science in 1997.
* Honored for superior technology transfer achievements were the H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Veterinary Team, which includes alumni David Suarez research leader at the ARS Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Athens, Ga., who earned a doctorate in microbiology, immunology and preventive medicine in 1995; and from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, Iowa, Beverly Schmitt, who earned a bachelor's degree in animal science in 1987; Sabrina Swenson, who earned a doctorate in microbiology, immunology and preventive medicine in 1994; and Leo Koster, who earned a bachelor's degree in genetics in 1992. 

DOCTORAL STUDENT SELECTED FOR NOBEL PRIZE CONFERENCE IN GERMANY
Doctoral student Scott Boyken is one of 550 young scientists chosen from more than 25,000 applicants worldwide to attend a Nobel Laureate conference in Lindau, Germany, that will focus on research in physiology and medical sciences. Boyken is pursuing his doctoral degree in bioinformatics; his advisers are Robert Jernigan and Amy Andreotti, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2011/jun/boykennobel

ANIMAL SCIENCE ALUM RECEIVES AMSA AWARD
Dan Schaefer, 1992 animal science alum, is the recipient of the 2011 American Meat Science Association Meat Processing Award. Schaefer is recognized for his ongoing contributions to commercial meat science in the area of advanced lean recovery systems as well as leadership in beef food safety.

NEW PUBLICATION ILLUSTRATES FARM LIGHTING OPTIONS
Many farm facilities use incandescent bulbs, but the upcoming phase-out of incandescents among U.S. retailers demands consideration of energy efficient lighting alternatives. A new publication from ISU Extension, co-authored by Jay Harmon, agricultural and biosystems engineering, compares some of the indoor and outdoor lighting options and their features.

WHAT'S NEW AT THE RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION FARMS
* The Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Crawfordsville reported 12 inches of rain in the 31 days prior to the June 15 field day. There have been only three days when fieldwork could occur. The field day was the first of the season with about 120 people attending.
* Eight Demonstration Garden Field Days are scheduled for July 26 through Aug. 11. Since 1978, ISU Extension has organized more than 250 demonstration home gardens grown at the ISU Research and Demonstration Farms across Iowa. Approximately 10,000 visitors have attended field days over the last 33 years.
* Gutters and rainwater holding tanks are being installed on the high tunnel at the Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm near Lewis, as part of a project to capture rainwater and use it for irrigating crops.
* The Research and Demonstration Farms have employed 12 ISU students this summer.

HORSE COMES TO CLASS AS STUDENTS PRACTICE PRESENTATIONS
Learning presentation skills is part of the Agriculture Education 311class this summer session. Brenna Gorton brought her horse Taffy to campus for Sarah Tenley's presentation on how to prepare a horse for a ride. Both students are juniors in animal science.

HUNDREDS ATTEND DAIRY FARM OPEN HOUSE
Hundreds attended the ISU Dairy Farm open house on June 17 to celebrate Dairy Month. Attendees were given tours of the milking parlor and barns.

KENTUCKY FARM DEDICATED TO ISU ALUM
The University of Kentucky's Board of Trustees named the College of Agriculture's Woodford County farm in honor of C. Oran Little earlier this year. The C. Oran Little Research Center was dedicated to honor the former dean on June 3. Little earned his master's and doctorate degrees in animal nutrition and biochemistry from ISU in 1959 and 1960, respectively. He retired in 2000 following a 40-year career in higher education and research. He and his wife reside in Lexington, Ky.

DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
June 20: Retirement reception for Lloyd Anderson, 2:30 to 4 p.m., Kildee Hall atrium.
June 24: Retirement reception for Steven Jungst, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Memorial Union South Ballroom.
June 27: Retirement reception for Jerry Miller, 3 to 5 p.m., Reiman Gardens.
July 19: Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open, Veenker Memorial Golf Course, ipic@iastate.edu

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EXTERNAL FUNDING
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ANTICIPATED RELEASE DATE FOR REMAINING AFRI RFAs JULY 1
Recent information indicates that USDA appears to be targeting July 1 for release of Requests for Applications for the remaining three challenge areas within the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.

CALL FOR NSF S-STEM INTERNAL COMPETITION
The NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program makes grants to support scholarships for academically talented, financially needy students, enabling them to enter the workforce following completion of a degree in science and engineering disciplines. ISU may submit one proposal from each constituent college. Individuals interested in submitting a proposal through CALS should submit a preproposal to Carla Persaud (cpersaud@iastate.edu) by Friday, July 1, at 5 p.m. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/

FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
Additional information is posted at CALS Funding Resources, http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/

July 8: USDA Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program with the People's Republic of China; cost share.

July 14: Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program; $20,000 to $100,000. More: http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements/

July 15 (letter of intent): Engineering Research Centers. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5502&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&…

July 19 (letter of intent): Dept. of Energy Industrial Assessment Centers; 20 to 30 awards of $200,000 to $300,000 per year for five years, cost share required for grants exceeding $200,000 per year.

Sept. 27: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program; limited submission for Type I proposals. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5488

Oct. 7 (letter of intent): Cooperative Study Group for Autoimmune Disease Prevention. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-11-034.html

Oct. 19: Water Sustainability and Climate. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503452

White papers continuously accepted: Naval Research Laboratory Broad Agency Announcement.

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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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INFLICT vs. AFFLICT
Events, illnesses, punishments and such are "inflicted on" living things or entities (an abuser inflicts cruelty). The sufferers are "afflicted with" or "by" disease or troubles (agricultural communities afflicted with drought).
The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003.

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INFOGRAZING
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CAST OVERSTOCK GIVEAWAY
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology is offering some older titles of task force reports, issue papers and special publications for free.

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INTERNAL VOICES
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ALUM GETS PUBLIC TO HELP MONITOR WATER IN IDAHO
"A lot of the people are landowners with streams running through their property. They have a genuine interest in the health of the stream." Ashley McFarland, a University of Idaho extension educator from Benewah County, developed a master water steward program based on a similar endeavor in Iowa, where hundreds of citizen volunteers keep regular tabs on water quality in the streams. McFarland earned a master's degree in water resources at ISU. More: http://www.idahopress.com/news/state/idaho-program-gets-public-to-help-…

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EXTERNAL VOICES
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FOR FLORIDA FIRST GRADERS "“ CORN IS COOL!
"Dear Mr. Lamkey "“ Thank you for taking the time from your job to make our day! We learned a lot from your letter and the book you sent us. Corn is cool! The t-shirts are awesome! It was so nice of you to give them to us. Some of us even want to be agronomists when we grow up! Maybe some of us might choose to go to college at Iowa State!" First grade students in Kristi Hibbs Giuffreda's class at Riverglades Elementary School in Parkland, Fla. The students had written a note to ISU asking about corn they were growing in their garden that had developed an ear in the tassel. Agronomy department chair Kendall Lamkey responded.

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MARGINALIA
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HONEYSUCKLE BEARS IOWA STATE HORTICULTURIST'S NAME
Back in the 1880s, a horticulturist named William Kintzley took a liking to a striking grape honeysuckle (Lonicera reticulata). A professor at Iowa Agricultural College, he propagated this vine in the greenhouse. In the 1960s, according to one version of the story, this honeysuckle was rediscovered growing on Professor Kintzley's grave and brought to Colorado by family members. Another version says the professor gave plants as gifts to his relatives through the country. It wasn't until 2001 that Fort Collins nurseryman Scott Skogerboe spied the unusual vine growing in a yard. As plant people are known to do when they see an unusual plant, Skogerboe slammed on his brakes and knocked on the door. The elderly man who answered turned out to be Professor Kintzley's grandson. This unusual honeysuckle now goes by the name Kintzley's Ghost and is distributed through Plant Select. More: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/lifestyles/columnists/riggenbach/articl…

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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/

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