Issue: 670

................................................... AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ................................................... The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter Iowa State University Sept. 26, 2011 No. 670 ................................................... COLLEGE NEWS ................................................... BABCOCK NAMED CARGILL CHAIR AND BIOBASED INDUSTRY CENTER HEAD Bruce Babcock, economics, will focus on the bioeconomy as ISU's next Cargill Endowed Chair in Energy Economics and director of the Biobased Industry Center. He assumes his new position Oct. 1. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2011/sep/CargillChair HOFF AND RUSSELL RECEIVE KOLMER AWARD The Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research was presented to Steve Hoff, agricultural and biosystems engineering, and Jim Russell, animal science, at the CALS Convocation on Sept. 21. The award recognizes faculty and staff in the college who have made significant contributions to improving the welfare of the people of Iowa through applied research. PEDRO SANCHEZ TO PRESENT NORMAN BORLAUG LECTURE, OCT. 10 Pedro Sanchez, director of tropical agriculture at Columbia University's Earth Institute and an international leader in the fight against hunger, will present the 2011 Norman Borlaug Lecture on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Sanchez was awarded the World Food Prize in 2002 for his pioneering use of agroforestry to restore fertility to some of the world's poorest and most degraded soils. More: http://www.event.iastate.edu/event/24569 iPAD SUBJECT OF LUNCH AND LEARN, OCT. 12 iPads will be the topic of the Brenton Center's Lunch and Learn Oct. 12, 12 p.m. in 8 Curtiss Hall. Cynthia Haynes, horticulture, will discuss her use of the iPad in the classroom. Michael Koenig, an agricultural education student, will demonstrate ScoutPro, a prize-winning iPad app his team developed for an agricultural entrepreneurship class. Pizza and refreshments will be provided. If you plan to attend, please email Amy Pilcher at apilcher@iastate.edu or 4-1862. BIOCENTURY RESEARCH FARM HOSTS 75 AT OPEN HOUSE Approximately 75 attended the BioCentury Research Farm open house last week, including Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Senator Herman Quirmbach. Larry Johnson, director,Â gave a presentation on how to partner with the BioCentury Research Farm that will soon be available on their website. More: http://www.biocenturyresearchfarm.iastate.edu/ RESEARCH PROJECT UNVEILS CLIMATE AND CORN WEBSITE The ISU-led Climate and Corn-based Cropping Systems Coordinated Agricultural Project recently unveiled its redesigned website at http://www.sustainablecorn.org/. The website is designed to increase public understanding of climate change, its effects on agriculture and adaptation strategies. In the coming months, the site will continue to develop as the central clearinghouse for all project-related information from the 12 participating Midwestern institutions. CANADIAN FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR TO CONDUCT RESEARCH IN CARD Ellen Goddard, a professor in the University of Alberta's Department of Rural Economy, has been granted a Fullbright Scholar Award to conduct research at the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at ISU. Goddard will spend four months researching for a project titled "Is COOL Cool? Differences in U.S. and Canadian Meat Purchasing Behavior." COOL stands for Country of Origin Labeling. More: http://www.card.iastate.edu/about/news/show_brief.aspx?id=43 AG BUSINESS MAJOR WINS INTERNSHIP AWARD Alan Peachey, a senior in agricultural business, was recently recognized by Helena Chemical Company as the 2011 Outstanding Midwest Division Intern Award winner. During his internship, Peachey worked with dealers positioning and evaluating multiple agricultural chemicals and proprietary yield enhancing products throughout the Iowa market. More: http://www.econ.iastate.edu/about-department/announce/news/37-2011-ag-b… LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAM WINS AT AKSARBEN The Livestock Judging Team won the Aksarben Stock Show and Rodeo on Sept. 25 in Omaha. There were 73 contestants representing 11 universities. The team also took home top honors in swine and cattle judging. Individually Cole Danner, a senior in animal science, was first overall. CALS STUDENTS PUBLISH ARTICLES ON PREPARING FOR CAREERS AgCareers.com has published its 2011 Ag & Food Employer Guide featuring articles by two CALS students. Brittney Zumbach, a senior in agricultural and life sciences education, interned with AgCareers this summer and wrote an article on success in the ag industry (pgs. 12-13). Ashlee Hespen, a senior in public service and administration in agriculture, interned with Agriculture Future of America and wrote an article on the importance of international experience for career preparation (pgs. 30-31). CALS BOOK SALE FUND RAISING EVENT Two separate book sales sponsored by the college will take place on Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in 142 Curtiss Hall and Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the atrium of the Molecular Biology building. Books will be sold for $1 each, 6 books for $5, and select books 2 for $1. All proceeds go to the 2011 ISU United Way Campaign. Contact Carla Persaud with questions,Â cpersaud@iastate.edu , 4-1823. Â DONATE ITEMS FOR CALS UNITED WAY ONLINE AUCTION CALS is collecting items through Oct. 7 for the second annual United Way online auction. Contact Carla Persaud atÂ cpersaud@iastate.edu or 4-1823 with a description of your items. The college-sponsored auction will run Oct. 10-20, with proceeds going to the ISU United Way Campaign. DEADLINES AND REMINDERS Oct. 11: Open forum to review governance document, 10 a.m., Memorial Union Campanile Room Oct. 11: Tom Vilsack to speak on global food insecurity, 5 p.m., Memorial Union South Ballroom ................................................... EXTERNAL FUNDING ................................................... PRESENTATIONS FROM GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP AVAILABLE ONLINE The presentations for the 2011 Fall Grant Writing Workshops led by Lynn and Joe Jelinksi are posted on the website of the Vice President of Research and Economics Development. Listed under Quick Links (top, right-hand side of page), follow the link "How to Write a Winning Grant." More: http://www.vpresearch.iastate.edu/ Â USDA REQUESTS PROPOSALS FOR AFRI CHALLENGE AREAS AND PRE/POSTDOC FELLOWSHIPS ?USDA has released FY 2012 requests for applications for two challenge areas for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative program: Sustainable Bioenergy and Climate Variability and Change. USDA is also accepting applications for the NIFA Fellowships Grant Program for pre- and postdoctoral students. All program areas require a letter of intent. 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/ Oct. 25 (concept papers): Innovation Fund for Ethiopian Agriculture, $100,000 to $2 million over two to five years. Nov. 8: EPA Environmental Education Sub-Grants Program, one $150,000 award in each EPA region to administer $5,000 sub-grants, 25 percent cost share. Nov. 16: Migratory Bird Conservation in the Upper Midwest, $3,000 to $50,000. Nov. 17: USDA NIFA Community Foods Projects Competitive Grant Program; three types of grants, $25,000 to $500,000 over three years, lead PI must be a private nonprofit entity, universities can partner. Nov. 17 (letter of intent): Discovery Research K-12 (DRK-12). More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=500047 Nov. 22: USDA-NIFA Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program; $250,000 per year over three years. Nov. 22 (letter of intent): Small Business Innovation Research to Develop New Methods and Technologies able to Identify Individuals at Risk of Developing Type 1 Diabetes [T1D] (R43). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-11-024.html Dec. 5: DOE Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing: Scientific Computation Application Partnerships in Earth Systems Science (climate modeling); two to five partnerships, $6.5 million total anticipated funding. Dec. 12 (letter of intent): NIH Director's Transformative Research Awards (R01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-11-006.html Feb. 1: Sustainable Energy Pathways (limited submission, three per organization). More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11590/nsf11590.htm?WT.mc_ev=click ................................................... COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK ................................................... STUDY SHOWS RELIANCE ON MANY OUTLETS FOR LOCAL NEWS A study by the Pew Research Center surveyed news consumers and concluded that while television is the main source of information for three popular topics "“ weather, traffic and breaking news "“ newspapers and their websites are the main source for 11 other topics, like local government updates, zoning news and crime reports. The researchers set out to map the sources of news and information in local communities. More: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/26/business/media/pew-media-study-shows-… ................................................... INFOGRAZING ................................................... WORLD FOOD PRIZE LAUREATE KICKS OFF ONE HEALTH LECTURE SERIES The ISU-based international organization One Health Commission will sponsor a lecture with ISU by 2010 World Food Prize Laureate David Beckmann "One Health: World Health Through Collaboration," on Oct. 12 at 9 a.m., Des Moines Marriott. The lecture will be the first of the newly endowed ISU One Health Lectureship Series that was established in the College of Veterinary Medicine. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2011/sep/onehealthlecture RESEARCH WRITING SEMINARS AVAILABLE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS Six research writing seminars are available this fall for graduate students currently working on a research paper, article for publication or thesis/dissertation. All seminars take place 3:10 to 4:30 p.m. in 1115 Pearson. Register with Linda Thorson at lthorson@iastate.edu. * Dissertation/Thesis Writing "“ Oct. 25 * Introduction Section/Chapter "“ Oct. 27 * Introduction Writing Workshop "“ Oct. 28 * Methods Section/Chapter "“ Nov. 1 * Results Section/Chapter "“ Nov. 3 * Discussion and Conclusion Section/Chapter "“ Nov. 4 REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CURRENT ISSUES IN NUTRITION PROGRAM Two major events that have occurred in the field of nutrition during 2011 are the release of the 2010 Dietary Guideline and MyPlate. Each has a major impact on how nutrition practitioners educate clientele. This will be the focus of the fall 2011 Current Issues in Nutrition program. Online presentations will be available in late October. The interactive online Q&A session will be held Nov. 17 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. More: https://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/cin/home.html IOWA CORN COLLEGIATE ADVISORY TEAM APPLICATIONS DUE OCT. 14 Applications for the 2011-2012 Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team are due Oct. 14. The team is made up of students pursing degrees related to agriculture at Iowa's colleges and universities. The team assists the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board in developing programs that target and enhance Iowa Corn's relationship with those individuals who are pursuing careers in agricultural production and allied industries. More: http://www.iowacorn.org/index.cfm?nodeID=30321&audienceID=1&action=disp… ................................................... INTERNAL VOICES ................................................... REFLECTIONS ON A DAY WITH THE SKUNK RIVER NAVY "Yesterday (Sept. 17) was my first Skunk River Navy, and I must say it lived up to my expectations. We began the day by doing a survey of all the critters we could find. Some of them were very interesting and I found some little guys that I didn't even know existed. I think we found what may have been the inspiration behind a few main characters in alien movies"¦I learned just how much people litter and disrespect our rivers, but I also learned that there is still hope if we can get 120 people to come out at 9 a.m. on a Saturday and walk through a freezing river for a few miles pushing heavy canoes and picking up trash. " A student reflects on a day with the Skunk River Navy. James Colbert, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, formed the Navy in 1998 as a community service activity for ISU's Freshmen Biology Learning Community. ................................................... EXTERNAL VOICES ................................................... FIELD TRIP TO BORLAUG'S HOME "INSPIRES" FIFTH GRADERS "The message I would hope students leave with is that education is so important to what they do, and no matter how our kids grow up, they can really be whatever they want to be"¦ You can have a very simple upbringing and a very simple background [just like Norman Borlaug], but you can go on and change the world." Barb Schwamman, vice president of the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation and PK-8 Principal at South Winneshiek Schools. Area fifth graders kicked off Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest with their annual "INSPIRE" Education Day field trip to the Boyhood Home of Norman Borlaug by Protivin, Iowa. Also in attendance were Dean Wendy Wintersteen and Associate Dean David Acker. This is the fourth year that ISU has participated in Education Day. ................................................... MARGINALIA ................................................... IOWA LEARNING FARMS RELEASES CHILDREN'S CD Iowa Learning Farms has released a children's music CD titled "Dogs, Frogs and Nature Songs." The CD has 21 songs composed, arranged and performed by Ames and Story County residents who comprise the group Joyful Hearts. The CD was created for the Ames Public Library and is the outcome of a conversation last summer during a joint Ames Public Library Bookmobile and Conservation Station stop, when a library employee remarked to Iowa Learning Farms program coordinator Jacqueline Comito that the library was looking for a band to record some kids music for their Story Time. Comito, who is the vocalist for Joyful Hearts, immediately offered to help. The CD project is a collaboration with Ames Public Library, ISU Extension and Outreach and Iowa Learning Farms. ........................................................ 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." 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