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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
November 4, 2013 No. 774
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COLLEGE NEWS
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BROCKSHUS ELECTED TO NATIONAL FFA OFFICER TEAM
Steven Brockshus, a sophomore in agricultural and life sciences education, was elected to the 2013-14 National FFA Officer team at the National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 in Louisville, Ky. Brockshus will serve as central region vice president. National officers commit to a year of service. Each travels more than 100,000 miles to interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public and more.
STUDENT LEADS INTERNATIONAL AG STUDENT ASSOCIATION
Genna Tesdall, a junior in global resource systems and agricultural biology, was elected president of the International Association of students in Agricultural and related Sciences at the IAAS 2013 World Congress in Santiago, Chile. The international association of 100,000 students who study agriculture and related sciences in 40 countries around the globe gathers for a World Congress each summer. The 2014 meeting will be in Ames. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/11/01/tesdall-iaas
ISU A PARTNER IN $6 MILLION “FEED THE FUTURE” PROGRAM
ISU is a partner on a $6 million research program to breed disease-resistant and heat-tolerant chickens in Africa. The new effort is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development as part of Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative. Susan Lamont and Jack Dekkers, both distinguished professors of animal science, are part of the Iowa State team. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/isu-partner-usaid-program-de…
RESEARCH SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON GENETIC MECHANISMS
Research at ISU has shed new light on the genetic mechanisms that allow plants to protect themselves from environmental stress, which could lead to improved stress tolerance in cash crops. Stephen Howell, genetics, development and cell biology, is senior author of the study. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/10/30/plantstress
RESEARCHERS FIND PRICES AND FAMILY INTERACTIONS INFLUENCE EATING BEHAVIORS
Expanding waistlines and rising obesity rates have led to numerous ideas for policies, such as taxes on junk food or vouchers for fruits and vegetables, aimed at getting people to eat a more healthful diet. To better understand what influences food choices, a group of ISU researchers including Helen Jensen and Oleksandr Zhylyevskyy, economics, looked at how prices, parents and peers affect fruit and vegetable consumption among African-American youths. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/10/30/produceeconomics
HORTICULTURE FARM SELLING APPLES THROUGH NOV. 7
The ISU Horticulture Research Station north of Ames is selling fresh picked apples for $10 (5-lb. bag) or $20 (10-lb. bag). Varieties available are Golden Delicious and Chieftain. Both are great for eating, baking and canning. Apple orders can be picked up in the parking lot north of Horticulture Hall on Nov. 6 and 7 (noon to 1:30 p.m.). Payment, cash or check only, is due at the time of pick-up. For more information or to place an order, email Sally Medford with your request and contact information.
LASLEY, DUFFY TO KEYNOTE AG SAFETY AND HEALTH CONFERENCE
The 12th annual Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Conference will be held Nov. 19-20 at the Gateway Center in Ames. The theme is "Many Faces of Agriculture" and will look at agricultural safety and health issues across the broad diversity of farm configurations, production methods and end products. The keynote address, "Today's Farmers: Who Are They and How Do They Farm?" will be presented by Mike Duffy, economics, and Paul Lasley, sociology. Registration deadline is Nov. 14.
FARM ENERGY WEBINAR TO BE HELD NOV. 12
A Minnesota gardener will discuss his family’s vegetable gardening system that produces leafy vegetables plus trout and tilapia for fish markets during a webinar on Nov. 12 at noon. The webinar is offered by the Farm Energy Working Group, funded by the Leopold Center.
COVER CROP FIELD DAYS SCHEDULED FOR MID-NOVEMBER
Iowa Learning Farms, along with Practical Farmers of Iowa, will host three Iowa cover crop field days in mid-November. The field days will focus on using cover crops to aid in the reduction of soil erosion and improving soil health as part of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
MEAT SCIENCE CLUB HOLDS 11th ANNUAL HOLIDAY HAM FUNDRAISER
The Meat Science Club is selling holiday hams until Nov. 15. Club members trim and prepare each semi-boneless ham for the curing, smoking and cooking process. They are injected with salt, sugar, spices and cure for flavor, smoked for more than two hours with natural hardwood smoke and vacuum packaged for a long refrigerated shelf life. Whole hams (14-18 pounds) are $3.50 a pound and half hams (7-9 pounds) are $4 a pound. Place an order by emailing isu.meat.science.club@gmail.com or by filling out an order form at the Meat Lab Sales Counter or in 2371 Kildee Hall. Hams will be available to pick up at the Meat Lab Sales counter, located at the north corner of the Kildee Hall atrium. Pick up times are Nov. 19 and 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. and Dec. 17 and 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. Holiday Hams is a fundraiser that helps with financial resources to attend professional meetings, conferences and education workshops.
BONNIE BOWEN RETIREMENT RECEPTION, NOV. 15
A retirement reception for Bonnie Bowen, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, will be held Nov. 15, 4 to 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Campanile Room.
SURPLUS EQUIPMENT AUCTION TO BE HELD NOV. 25
ISU Research Farms will hold a surplus field machinery and equipment auction on Nov. 25 at the ISU Curtiss Farm in Ames. Contact Tim Goode (641-751-0280) with listings or questions. Proceeds less costs accrue to the consignor. Assistance with hauling is available.
PROPOSED CENTER HOSTS SUCCESSFUL PLANNING MEETING
To facilitate the development of the proposed National Science Foundation Industry and University Cooperative Research Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposits (CB2), a planning meeting was held Oct. 9-11 at ISU. The three-day meeting brought together more than 100 industry representatives, government officials and university researchers to help finalize the center’s organization structure and research areas. If established and approved by the Iowa Board of Regents, CB2 will focus on developing high-value biobased products from agricultural feedstocks.
RESEARCH RESULTS AVAILABLE FOR FIVE LEOPOLD PROJECTS
Five research and demonstration projects funded by the Leopold Center have completed work and summaries of the findings are now available.
CALS PROGRESS ON UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN
The college has raised $58,255 for ISU United Way Campaign, which is 93.2 percent of its goal of $62,500. Overall, ISU pledges and gifts total $283,269, which is 84.6 percent of ISU’s goal. The campaign is coming to a close. Pledges are still being accepted.
ANR AT NOON SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES
ANR at Noon sessions are archived at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/staff/anratnoon.html.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
Nov. 13: Fine Dining Class present “At Home in Paris,” 6:30 p.m., Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom, $30, Katie Fuller, kjfuller@iastate.edu.
Dec. 11: Science With Practice Poster Presentation, 2-3:30 p.m., Kildee Hall Atrium
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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NEW GLOBAL INNOVATION INITITAVE
The U.S. Department of State is sponsoring a joint U.S.-UK effort to strengthen global multilateral collaboration through grants to university consortia focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related issues of global significance that foster cutting-edge multinational research and strengthen institutional international partnerships. Priority areas for the initiative are energy, climate change and the environment; agriculture, food security and water; public health and wellbeing; and urbanization. Partnerships must include at least one higher education institution in the United States and the United Kingdom as well as at least one higher education institution in Brazil, China, India or Indonesia. Proposals are due Dec. 16. More: http://www.iie.org/Programs/Global-Innovation-Initiative
BARD SEMINAR – OPERATIONS, ACHIEVEMENTS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Edo Chalutz, executive director of the U.S.-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund, will present the seminar, BARD, the U.S.-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund – Operations, Achievements and Funding Opportunities. The seminar is scheduled for Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to noon, 1951 Food Sciences Building (CCUR Technology Transfer Theater). More about BARD: http://www.bard-isus.com/
DOE ADVANCED BIOFUEL, BIOPRODUCTS AND BIOPOWER RFI
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a Request for Information to solicit feedback from industry, academia, research labs, government agencies and other stakeholders on issues related to advanced biofuel, bioproducts and biopower technology validation and potential deployment strategies. Information on advanced biofuel, bioproducts and biopower technologies that are ready for technology validation at a Technology Readiness Level of 6 or higher are of specific interest. The infrastructure and end use activities are focused on identifying and removing commercial and market barriers that limit potential to replace petroleum or other fossil fuels. Responses are due Dec. 6. More: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/
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/
NIH NAIAD Concepts: Potential Opportunities. More: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/researchfunding/council/concepts/Pages/default…
Dec. 2 (concept notes): Kansas State University Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sorghum and Millet; $8.2 million for eight to 12 projects. More: http://www.k-state.edu/smil/opportunities/
Dec. 6 (letter of intent): Cancer Detection, Diagnostic and Treatment Technologies for Global Health (UH2/UH3). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-13-015.html
Dec. 12 (letter of intent): AFRI NIFA Fellowships Grant Program; pre- and post-doctoral fellowships.
Dec. 15: Gruber Foundation Genetics Prize; $500,000 prize for original discoveries in the field of genetics. More: http://gruber.yale.edu/genetics-prize-nomination-criteria
Dec. 15: 4R Research Fund - Meta-Analyses on the Impacts of 4R Nutrient Stewardship.
Dec. 31: 4R Research Fund - Research and Demonstrations on Impacts of 4R Nutrient Stewardship.
Jan. 14 and Nov. 14: NSF Advancing Informal Learning in STEM (AISL). More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504793
Jan. 14 (letter of intent): NIH Analysis of Genome-Wide Gene-Environment (G x E) Interactions (R21). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-13-382.html
Jan. 23 (pre-proposal): NSF Division of Environmental Biology (Core Programs). More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14503/nsf14503.htm?WT.mc_ev=click
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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WHEN TO USE A DOUBLE “R”
When using the –ed or –ing forms of “occur,” you double the “r” for occurred and occurring. The reason why the “r” is doubled is that the stress falls on the final syllable of the verb in its infinitive form: occur. The same rule applies to most other verbs ending in –ur and –er where the stress falls on the final syllable: prefer, preferred, preferring; confer, conferred, conferring. When the stress does not fall on the final syllable, spell with one “r”: utter, uttered, uttering; cater, catered, catering; murmur, murmured, murmuring. From the MacMillian Dictionary Blog language tip of the week: http://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/language-tip-of-the-week-occur
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INFOGRAZING
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BUILDING COMMUNITY FOR STUDENT SUCCESS CONFERENCE, NOV. 8
The IINSPIRE Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation will hold its 2013-14 Annual Conference, “Building Community for Student Success in STEM,” on Nov. 8 at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo. The IINSPIRE annual conference features invited speakers and concurrent programs of interest to both students and professionals.
BROADER IMPACTS TEXT ANALYSIS WORKSHOP, NOV. 14
SP@ISU in collaboration with Elena Cotos, a linguistics researcher at ISU, is developing resources to assist researchers in writing broader impacts statements for NSF proposals. SP@ISU facilitated the collection of 105 funded and unfunded NSF proposals from ISU faculty. Cotos has used corpus linguistics techniques to analyze the quality of the writing and integration of broader impacts plans within proposals. She will share her findings and provide tips for writing effective broader impacts statements at a workshop on Nov. 14, 12 to 2 p.m. in the Memorial Union South Ballroom. Lunch will be provided. More: https://apps-spisu.sws.iastate.edu/events/view/id/56
FARMER VETERAN COALITION OF IOWA CONFERENCE, DEC. 14
The Farmer Veteran Coalition of Iowa is holding a conference in Des Moines on Dec. 14 to address farm business and agriculture career development for military veterans and service members. There will be educational workshops and social and business networking opportunities. Attendance is free but space is limited. Register at: http://iowafarmerveteran.org/. Sponsors include the Leopold Center and the Beginning Farmer Center at ISU.
ISU EXPERTS HAVE THE HOLIDAYS COVERED
The holiday season is fast approaching and several ISU experts are available to comment on everything from shopping to stress to sticking with a diet. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/11/04/holidayexperts
REQUIRED PROCEDURE FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
ISU encourages the international exchange of faculty, staff and scholars. However, please note that all internationals invited to campus by a member of the university community must check in with the International Students and Scholars Office within three days of arrival in the United States. Pre-arrival information is available on the ISSO website.
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MARGINALIA
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ISU ANIMAL SCIENTIST LOOKS FOR FRESH BLOOD FOR VAMPIRE BATS
Researchers and curators at ISU and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium think about vampire bats all year long, not just in October. And one of the things they think about is how best to feed them. Their diet is simple: fresh blood. Cheryl Morris, assistant professor of animal science at ISU and nutrition director for Omaha’s zoo, said finding good beef blood isn’t as easy as it would seem. (Also, see CALS Communications news release)
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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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