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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
September 23, 2013 No. 768
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COLLEGE NEWS
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ISU ANNOUNCES NEW IOWA CORN PROMOTION BOARD ENDOWED CHAIR
Iowa State University has announced an investment from the Iowa Corn Promotion Board to establish an endowed faculty position in genetics in the Department of Agronomy. The inaugural Iowa Corn Promotion Board Endowed Chair in Genetics will be held by Patrick Schnable, a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences, a professor of agronomy and director of ISU’s Center for Plant Genomics. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/iowa-state-university-announ…
GEOLOGIST TO SPEAK AT PESEK COLLOQUIUM TODAY, SEPT. 23
A solution-oriented approach to the problem of global soil erosion will be the focus of the 2013 Pesek Colloquium on Sustainable Agriculture today, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. David Montgomery, professor of earth and space sciences at the University of Washington, will present “Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations.” Sponsors include the Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Department of Ecology Evolution and Organismal Biology and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
RSVP BY SEPT. 25 FOR BIOECONOMY SHOWCASE AND DINNER
RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 25, for the 2013 Bioeconomy Showcase and Progressive Dinner to be held Sept. 30, 4 to 9 p.m. The Bioeconomy Institute, BioCentury Research Farm and the Biomass Energy Conversion facility are presenting a biorenewables showcase to orient faculty of ISU’s wide-ranging bioenergy resources, the Iowa Capital Corridor Initiative and the diversity of research facilities both on and off-campus.
AG WEEKEND EXPERIENCE APPLICATION DEADLINE WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25
The deadline for applying for the next Agriculture Weekend Experience, which takes CALS students to family farms, is Wednesday, Sept. 25. The weekend set aside for the program is Oct. 11 to 13. AWE is free for students in CALS and includes transportation to farms in Story and Marshall counties and tours of agribusinesses. There are a limited number of openings, so those interested should apply early by contacting Christina Riessen, program coordinator, criessen@iastate.edu or at 304 Curtiss. The program is co-sponsored by the ISU Agricultural Endowment and CALS.
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY CONSORTIUM MOVED TO SEED SCIENCE CENTER
Global Food Security Consortium, a Presidential Initiative centered at ISU and CALS, is holding its first workshop Oct. 1-2 at 191 Seed Science Center. The program will address interdisciplinary, comprehensive and innovative approaches to the problems of global food security through focused research efforts in five platforms: germplasm and seed systems; climate resilient healthy crops; climate resilient healthy animals; post-harvest and utilization; and policies, regulations and trade. This holistic strategy addresses each link in the food value chain, considering plants and animals together in a unified systems approach to help feed the world. To attend, contact globalfoodsecurity@iastate.edu.
HOGBERG INDUCTED INTO POULTRY HALL OF FAME
Maynard Hogberg, chair of animal science, was inducted into the Iowa Poultry Association’s Hall of Fame on Sept. 11. The award recognizes distinguished service to the Iowa poultry industry.
92 JACKRABBITS COUNTED AT RESEARCH FARM NEAR BOONE
A recent annual count of jackrabbits at the Agricultural Engineering and Agronomy Research Farms near Boone revealed 92 jacks. Peter Eyheralde, natural resource ecology and management, said this year was one of the highest counts ever. They had 31 jackrabbits the first night, 17 the second night and 44 the third night. Jackrabbits, once plentiful in Iowa, are now somewhat rare. They are Iowa’s only true native hares. Jacks are larger than the common cottontail rabbits and are known for their speed. The NREM department monitors the colony and uses them for periodic research projects.
ISU UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN UPDATE AND CALS DRAWING
Into the third week of the ISU United Way Campaign the college has raised $24,822, which is 40 percent of its goal. Overall, ISU pledges and gifts total $109,640, which is 33 percent of ISU’s goal. CALS faculty, staff and students who contribute to United Way by Sept. 30 can participate in a drawing for a TV, Okoboji Grill gift card and Reiman Garden passes. Send an email to Carla Persaud at cpersaud@iastate.edu with subject line “I contributed to United Way.” The email message should state name and campus address only; gift amount is not to be disclosed. Winners will be notified on Oct. 2.
OCT. 1 DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS ON GUIDELINES FOR WORK IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
CALS has extended the deadline for comments on a draft set of guidelines for the work of faculty, staff and students in agricultural development activities in developing countries. The new deadline for submitting comments is Oct. 1. All comments should be emailed to cals@iastate.edu.
CALS UNITED WAY BOOK SALE, OCT. 2-3
Two book sales will take place Oct. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Harl Commons of Curtiss Hall and Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the atrium of the Molecular Biology building. All proceeds go to the 2013 ISU United Way Campaign. Donated items will be accepted up to the day of each sale. Contact Carla Persaud at cpersaud@iastate.edu or 4-1823 with questions.
DONATE ITEMS FOR CALS UNITED WAY ONLINE AUCTION
CALS is collecting items through Oct. 9 for the fourth annual United Way online auction. Contact Carla Persaud at cpersaud@iastate.edu or 4-1823 with a description of your items. The college-sponsored auction will run Oct. 10-16, with proceeds going to the ISU United Way Campaign.
CENTRAL STATES SOCIETY OF TOXICOLOGY MEETING, OCT. 10-11
The Interdepartmental Toxicology graduate program is hosting the 2013 Central States Chapter of the Society of Toxicology meeting at the Gateway Center in Ames, Oct. 10-11. Toxicologists from the University of Nebraska Medical School, Kansas State University, University of Kansas Medical School, the University of Iowa and industry along with Iowa State faculty and graduate students will attend. Aileen Keating, animal science, is the 2013-2014 president of CSSOT.
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK
USDA will hold its 2014 Agricultural Outlook Forum on Feb. 20-21 in Arlington, Va. Funding is available for 20 undergraduate and 10 graduate students from across the U.S. to participate in the forum through the Student Diversity Program. Interested ISU students are required to submit an essay by Oct. 31 to David Acker (dacker@iastate.edu). For undergraduate students a one-page essay is required titled, “Agriculture as a Career.” For graduate students a two-page essay is required titled, “The Greatest Challenge Facing Agriculture Over the Next Five Years.” A committee at the college level will conduct a pre-selection process and then forward two undergraduate and two graduate student finalists’ essays for consideration at the national level. Final selections will be made by Lisa Purnell, USDA/1890 Program Liaison, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Harry Baumes, director, USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses; and Brenda Chapin, information officer with USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
Oct. 3: Beef Nutrition Research Showcase
Oct. 15: Proposals due for CALS Online Course, Certificate and Program Initiative
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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REMINDER: WINNING GRANT PROPOSALS WORKSHOP OCT. 3
The Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development encourages faculty, staff, post-docs and graduate students to sign up soon for the full-day grant-writing workshop scheduled for Oct. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sunroom. There is no fee to attend the workshop, but purchase of a workbook is required. CALS will cover the cost of one workbook for new faculty members who have joined the college between fall semester 2011 and fall semester 2013. Payment for workbooks for other CALS participants will be handled through department chairs. More: http://iowastategrants.eventbrite.com/
PUBLICATION SUBVENTION GRANTS
The Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development has issued a request for proposals under the Publication Subvention Grants Program. These grants are made possible by an endowment formed from the proceeds of the sale of the ISU Press. Any full-time faculty member or P&S staff member at the rank of P37 or above may apply. Applications are due by Oct. 7. Contact: Sandra Norvell (snorvell@iastate.edu).
2014-15 MILLER FACULTY FELLOWSHIPS
The 2014-15 Miller Faculty Fellowships will provide up to $15,000 per award to provide faculty members with opportunities to enhance their scholarly work in undergraduate academic programs and to develop innovative approaches to enhance student learning. Fellowship recipients will have up to 12 months to meet the goals of their project. Any faculty member at ISU (tenured, tenure-eligible, adjunct, lecturer or clinician) may apply for a fellowship. Proposals are due Dec. 2. More: http://www.celt.iastate.edu/grants_awards/fellowships/miller/
AAAS SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY POLICY FELLOWSHIPS
The American Association for the Advancement of Science seeks candidates for AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships. The aim is to foster scientifically informed, evidence-based policy and practice by involving scientists and engineers from a broad range of career stages to engage their knowledge and analytical skills while learning first-hand about policymaking and implementation at the federal level. Fellowship program areas include congressional; diplomacy, security and development; energy, environment and agriculture; health, education and human services; big data and analytics and global stewardship. Applicants must hold a doctoral level degree. Applications are due Nov. 1.
IMAGINE H20 WATER INNOVATION COMPETITION
Imagine H2O has launched a Food and Agriculture Program to identify and support promising water innovations in the use, supply and treatment of water in food systems. Winning companies will receive cash prizes and in-kind professional services, access to the Imagine H2O Accelerator Program, and feedback from a panel of leading investors and market experts. The entry period begins Oct. 1.
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: NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (Parent R15). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-313.html
Oct. 28: USAID Ghana Agriculture Development and Value Chain Enhancement Feed the Future Activity; $35 million. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=243236
Nov. 11 (letter of intent): NIH Adaptation of Scalable Technologies to Illuminate the Druggable Genome (U01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-13-010.html
Nov. 20 (Pre-proposals): NIH Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center (X02) Grant. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-13-357.html
Jan. 22: NSF Catalyzing New International Collaborations. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12815
Feb. 5: NIH Translational Research to Improve Diabetes and Obesity Outcomes (R01) Grant. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-352.html
Aug 27: NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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HOW TO MAKE YOUR SCIENCE USEFUL TO POLICYMAKERS
Policymakers repeatedly identify the same characteristics of helpful scientists:
• Timely – Policymakers mostly want information that is relevant to current policy discussions.
• Responsive – Much like journalists, policymakers need you to respond quickly. Their timelines are much shorter than the academic world’s.
• Clear – Policymakers appreciate scientists who have taken the time to distill their messages so they can make their points simply and accurately and explain why it matters.
• Actionable – Above all, setting policy means making decisions about what to do. If you are presenting data about a problem, your goal is for policymakers to agree that something must be done. Think about what that something might be, and prepare to explain what the consequences of various choices are likely to be.
• Local – To the extent you can, tie everything back to a policymaker’s home district.
(Escape from the Ivory Tower: A Guide to Making Your Science Matter, 2010, pg. 96)
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INFOGRAZING
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ISU INSTITUTIONAL MEMBER OF FACULTY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK
The Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost has announced that ISU has become an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity network. The NCFDD is an online professional development, training and mentoring resource for faculty.
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INTERNAL VOICES
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SEBRANEK: THICKER CUT BACON HAS SMOKIER TASTE
Since Cook’s Illustrated magazine last compared major brands of bacon in 2004, a bevy of heftier bacons have shown up alongside the traditional thin, shingled slices. But does a thicker cut offer anything more than just a bigger bite of bacon? After comparing six thick strips and four traditional slices, they found that heftier strips were also smokier strips. According to Joe Sebranek, distinguished professor of animal science, “Smoke is applied to intact, unsliced bellies. A thinker slice has more of the surface area where smoke is deposited included with the slice.” More: http://www.cooksillustrated.com/tastetests/overview.asp?docid=42834
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EXTERNAL VOICES
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UNI CAMPAIGN CONNECTS STUDENTS TO THE LOCAL FOOD THEY EAT
The University of Northern Iowa is putting a name and a face to the foods that students eat every day in the dining hall. Though local food purchases have been a priority at UNI since 1999, starting this month students will see photos and stories of the farmers that produced the items they pile on their plates in the cafeteria through a new initiative, called Faces of Our Farmers. Rachel Wobeter, the local food program manager at the Center for Energy and Environmental Education, heads the effort. She has been traveling around the Cedar Valley collecting stories of local farmers who sell their products to UNI. “It’s important that students understand where their produce is coming from so they can support UNI and what they’re doing for local farmers,” said Wobeter.
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MARGINALIA
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APPLE HARVEST UNDERWAY AT ISU HORTICULTURE STATION
Thirty percent of the apple crop has been harvested from the ISU Horticulture Station. Thirteen varieties are complete, including HoneyCrisp, Gala and Jonathans. An additional 22 varieties will be harvested in the coming weeks, including Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious and Chieftains. ISU horticulture professor Spencer Beach developed the Chieftain in 1917, when he crossed Jonathan and Delicious varieties. The Chieftain is a good eating apple that also stands up to cooking. ISU Dining is serving approximately 1,600 lbs. of applies per week.
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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
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