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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
March 3, 2014 No. 788
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COLLEGE NEWS
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CALS UNDERGRADUATE PLACEMENT RATE: 97.3 PERCENT
For 16 consecutive years, the overall placement rate for CALS undergraduates has been 97 percent or higher. The placement rate from fall 2012 through summer 2013 is 97.3 percent, according to figures from CALS Career Services. Placement includes students that are employed, furthering their education or fulfilling military obligations. Mike Gaul, director of career services, says this was the largest graduating class in 16 years, with 773 graduates. He adds that 69 percent of graduates stayed in Iowa for their first employment experience. Individual departmental numbers can be viewed in this summary, http://www.career.cals.iastate.edu/files/1st%20Dest%20BS%202012-13.pdf
TOP EMPLOYERS OF CALS UNDERGRADUATES, 2012-2013
Mike Gaul, director of CALS Career Services, says the top employers of CALS bachelor’s degree recipients from 2012-2013 are: 1) DuPont Pioneer with 18 employed; 2) Cargill, 15; 3) ISU, 14; 4) John Deere, 12; 5) Monsanto, 11; 6) Ag Leader Technology and Iowa DNR, tied with 10; 7) Farmers Cooperative Co., 9; 8) Syngenta, 7; 9) Helena Chemical and Sigourney Tractor & Implement, tied with 5.
STUDENT ORGANIC FARM MEETING TODAY, MARCH 3
The ISU Student Organic Farm is having its first meeting of the 2014 growing season on Monday, March 3, at 6 p.m. in 3140 Agronomy Hall. The meeting is for those interested in sustainable food systems, wanting to learn how to grow horticultural crops or wanting a fresh supply of vegetables in the summer and fall. No previous experience required. More: http://isustudentorganicfarm.weebly.com/news.html
CARVER TRUST ANNOUNCES GRANT FOR ISU CANCER RESEARCH
A $375,000 grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust will support cancer researcher by Maura McGrail, genetics, development and cell biology. McGrail’s research is focused on investigating the causes of glioblastoma, a malignant brain cancer. More: http://www.foundation.iastate.edu/s/1463/index_2col.aspx?sid=1463&gid=1&...
MILLER FACULTY FELLOWSHIPS INCLUDE CALS FACULTY, STAFF
The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching has announced the 2014-15 Miller Faculty Fellowships. Three of the six projects funded included CALS faculty and staff:
* Team-based Learning Outcomes: Developing a Survey Instrument to Evaluate Student Motivation and Beliefs about Learning. The team includes: Lisa Orgler, lecturer, horticulture; Georgeanne Artz, assistant professor, economics; Keri Jacobs, assistant professor, economics.
* Show Them the Data. The team includes: Clark Coffmann, associate professor, genetics, development and cell biology.
* Mutants, Microbes and Molecules: Course Development for a Student-driven, Inquiry-based Microbiology Laboratory. Claudia Lemper, lecturer, plant pathology and microbiology.
More: http://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2014/02/27/miller
LITCHFIELD OPTIMISTIC ABOUT NEW NUTRITION LABELS
New nutrition labels proposed by the Food and Drug Administration will require the calories per serving be prominently displayed in bold font. Ruth Litchfield, food science and human nutrition, thinks the new look will have an impact. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/02/28/nutritionlabels
CALL FOR POSTERS FOR GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY CONSORTIUM?
The Global Food Security Consortium and the Leroy and Barbara Everson Seed and Biosafety Symposium will feature a poster presentation April 29 at 4:30 p.m., with osters remaining in place throughout the remainder of the conference. Posters are encouraged from all Food Security areas including research, administration, students, organizations, community and personal initiatives that support and further food security initiatives. The call for posters will close on April 12. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/registration/events/conferences/gfsc/su...
SPECIAL EVENTS ADDED TO 2014 EGG ISSUES FORUM
Two new optional events have been added to the 2014 Egg Industry Issues Forum to be held April 15-16 in Indianapolis. On April 14, participants have the opportunity to tour the facilities at the Core-Time headquarters in Milford, Ind. On April 16, a workshop on Food Defense Plan Building will be offered, led by U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials. Early-bird registration ends March 15. More: http://www.ans.iastate.edu/EIC/Forum.dwt
GRAIN QUALITY LAB PREPARES STUDENTS
Hands-on and first-hand are often terms associated with undergraduate research on campus. Students who aim to further their education or go into industry benefit greatly from their experiences in the many laboratories housed here. But the ISU Grain Quality Laboratory encourages their student workers to go beyond those terms by adding efficiency and problem solving to the list. More: https://news.engineering.iastate.edu/2014/02/27/grain-quality-lab-prepar...
CALS GROUP NAMED 2014 VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
A group of CALS volunteers were recognized on March 1 with the Arc of Story County’s 2014 Volunteers of the Year award. College faculty, staff and students have been helping the Friendship Ark Homes since 2009 with various jobs as needed. Volunteers that have worked on projects over the last five years include: Joe Colletti, Sharon Colletti, Carla Persaud, Michele Rogers, Rita Knight, Cathy Good, Roxanne Clemens, Peggy Best, Kathey Schuckert, Barb McBreen, Sorrel Brown, Janet Brodie, Theressa Cooper, members of the Block and Bridle Club (2013) and a group of sociology students (2011).
LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAM WINS NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN’S CLASSIC
The ISU Livestock Judging Team took high team honors and first in the reasons division at the Nebraska Cattleman’s Classic, Feb. 15-23, in Kearney, Neb. Receiving individual honors were Matt Romoser, junior in animal science, first overall, second in placings and third in reasons; Kyle Ruth, senior in agricultural business, first in placings and third overall; and Amber Shipe, junior in agricultural and life sciences education, first in reasons.
ISU HOSTS 36th ANNUAL MEAT JUDGING CONTEST
The 36th Annual Iowa State University Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest was held on Feb. 22. Eleven teams and nearly 80 students competed in the event hosted in the Meat Lab. ISU finished first in lamb judging and third in pork judging. Patrick Frank, junior in animal science, was high individual in lamb judging. Matt Schulte, junior in animal science, was the high individual on the ISU team and received the Parrish Award.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
March 12: CALS Spring Awards Program, 4:10 p.m., Memorial Union South Ballroom
March 21-23: American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association Symposium, Ames, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/registration/events/conferences/apvma/i...
April 15-16: 2014 Egg Industry Issues Forum, Indianapolis, http://www.ans.iastate.edu/EIC/Forum.dwt
April 23: George Washington Carver Life and Legacy Symposium, Scheman Center, http://www.diversity.cals.iastate.edu/george-washington-carver-life-and-...
April 29-30: Global Food Security Consortium Spring Symposium, Ames, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/registration/events/conferences/gfsc/in...
May 14: Food and Agriculture National Conference, Minneapolis
May 14-16: Integrating Resistant Starch, Microbiome and Disease Risk Reduction international symposium, Ames, http://www.fshn.hs.iastate.edu/resistant-starch-symp/
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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USDA AFRI WATER FOR AGRICULTURE CHALLENGE AREA
USDA has released the FY 2014 Request for Applications for the AFRI Water for Agriculture Challenge Area. The program area priority is sustaining water quantity, quality, and availability for agricultural use while maintaining environmental quality through 2050. Projects should be multidisciplinary, linking the biophysical sciences, engineering, and geospatial, social, economic and behavioral sciences in order to enable production and behavioral changes that sustain the quantity, quality and availability of water for agriculture. Coordinated Agricultural Projects will be funded at up to $5 million per year for five years. New Investigator grants and conference grants are also eligible for funding. More: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/afri.html
CHRIS TUGGLE TO PRESENT FULBRIGHT LUNCH AND LEARN MARCH 12
Chris Tuggle, animal science, will present "Building Networks in Biology and Across the Ocean” for the Fulbright Lunch and Learn session on March 12. In 2011, Tuggle was a Fulbright Scholar in Scotland. The presentation is scheduled for 12:10 to 1 p.m. in the Memorial Union Gold Room. More: http://www.provost.iastate.edu/what-we-do/fulbright-program
WORKSHOP: ISU PUBLICATION SUBVENTION GRANTS
On Feb. 14, Sandra Norvell will present information about ISU Publication Subvention Grants, which are offered through the Office of the Vice President for Research. The presentation will review the new guidelines and requirements for the grants. Faculty are encouraged to bring project-specific questions. The workshop will be held from 12:10 to 1 p.m. in 130 College of Design. Applications to this internal grant are due April 7. More: http://www.vpresearch.iastate.edu/en/funding/publication_subvention_gran...
CAYUSE 424 MARCH WEBINARS
Cayuse 424 training webinars are scheduled for March 12, 13 and 14. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/node/184
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/
March 31: USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program; universities as partners, $250,000; one-to-one match required. More: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/communityfoodprojects.cfm
March 31 (concept papers): DOE Bioenergy Technologies Incubator. More: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/
April 14: EPA Student Program for Environmental Excellence in Design. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=251744
April 17 (letter of intent): USDA AFRI Water for Agriculture Challenge Area. More: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/waterforagricultureafri.cfm
May 1: NIH Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (R25). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-14-121.html
May 15 (preproposals): USDA 2015 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program. More: http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac.shtml
May 15: OFRF Organic Farming and Food System Research; $15,000. More: http://ofrf.org/research/grants/request-research-and-education-and-outre...
June 10: NSF Small Business Innovation Research Program, Phase I Solicitation. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14539/nsf14539.htm?WT.mc_ev=click
July 10 (letter of intent): Bright Focus Foundation Macular Degeneration Research Standard Award; $120,000. More: http://www.brightfocus.org/research/apply/openawards.html
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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FIVE WRITING TIPS FROM ABRAHAM LINCOLN
One way to improve your writing is to read good writers. Below are five things any writer can learn from Abraham Lincoln, as revealed by Douglas Wilson, author of “Lincoln’s Sword.”
* To convince, you must first understand.
* Don’t be a jerk.
* Pre-write.
* Always have paper and pen handy.
* Use simple words. Keep it short. Avoid fine writing.
From a blog posted by Mike Kaspari, director of the graduate program in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Oklahoma, on Feb. 20. More: http://bit.ly/1mQria3
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INFOGRAZING
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GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT RESEARCH CONFERENCE, APRIL 4
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate in collaboration with the Graduate College, the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost and all seven colleges presents the first Graduate and Professional Student Research Conference on April 4. This event will provide an excellent opportunity for the graduate and professional students at Iowa State University to showcase their current research to their colleagues and the Ames community, to practice their presentation skills in front of a more diverse audience, and to observe and learn about the other research going on at ISU. More: http://www.gpss.iastate.edu/students/gpsrc/
NSF PROGRAM DIRECTOR TO PRESENT APRIL 7
Saran Twombly, program director for Population and Community Ecology with the Division of Environmental Biology at the National Science Foundation, will make a public presentation on April 7, 10 a.m. in the Emsinger Room, Kildee Hall. Twombly will provide a brief overview of the NSF, discuss new and emerging themes coming out of the NSF, the Biology Directorate and the Division of Environmental Biology, and offer suggestions and tips on how to write competitive grants to NSF in general and the Division of Environmental Biology specifically. There will be time for Q&A following her presentation.
NCRCRD WEBINAR TO ADDRESS PERENNIAL GRASSES
The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development is hosting a webinar on Innovations in Agricultural and Rural Development on March 11 at 12 p.m. D.K. Lee, assistant professor in the department of crop sciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, will speak on “Integrating Perennial Grasses for Sustainable Agricultural Systems to Maximize Farm Profitability.” More: http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_develo...
JACOBSEN NEW DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL AES ASSOCIATION
Jeff Jacobsen, former dean of the Montana State University College of Agriculture, is the new director of the North Central Regional Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors, effective March 2014. The executive director works to enhance and promote the NCRA within the region, U.S. and internationally.
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INTERNAL VOICES
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STERLE: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TEACHABLE MOMENT
As swine show seasons starts to get underway, it’s time to think about how to deal with the many questions and challenges associated with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus. “This is a teachable moment,” said Jodi Sterle, animal science, in the Feb. 26 issue of PEDV Update, published by the National Pork Board. “This real-life event illustrates why everyone needs to practice good biosecurity and how pathogens can be transferred.” More: http://www.pork.org/FileLibrary/PORKFileLibrary16/PEDV%20Update%20-%20Vo...
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EXTERNAL VOICES
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SHORTAGE OF WORKERS FOR MANY AG FIELDS
In his Feb. 27 blog, Willie Vogt, editorial director of Farm Progress-Penton Media, spoke with Inci Dannenberg, vice president of commercial operations at Bayer CropScience about recruiting. “Turns out this high-tech world of agriculture, where you bet the farm every year, can’t seem to find enough folks to fill the available positions out there for support, sales and research and development,” said Vogt. “There are 47,000 job openings available and just 16,000 candidates to fill them,” said Dannenberg. “There is a shortage.” More: http://bit.ly/1g4HZFN
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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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