...................................................
AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
...................................................
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
March 17, 2014 No. 790
...................................................
COLLEGE NEWS
...................................................
ANIMAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT FEATURED IN AMERICAN CATTLEMEN MAGAZINE
A scene from the Beef Teaching Farm is on the cover of April’s American Cattlemen magazine. A cover story deals with the animal science department’s student experience, with articles about the Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center, beef cattle genetic research and department Chair Maynard Hogberg. The magazine is available online at: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/fde6b9bd#/fde6b9bd/1
ABE GRADUATE PROGRAM RANKS FOURTH IN THE NATION
ISU's graduate program in agriculture and biosystems engineering continues to be a national leader, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report graduate school rankings released March 11. The program ranks fourth overall and fourth among public universities, according to the magazine's 2014 rankings. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/03/11/gradrankings14
EEOB RESEARCHERS PUBLISH IN ‘NATURE’ AND ‘SCIENCE’
Stanley Harpole and Lori Biederman, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, are co-authors of an article that appeared in the March 9 issue of Nature, titled “Herbivores and Nutrients Control Grassland Plant Diversity via Light Limitation.” More: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature13144.htm…. Dean Adams, EEOB, is co-author of an article that appeared in the March 14 issue of Science, titled “Lethal Interactions Between Parasites and Prey Increase Niche Diversity in a Tropical Community.” More: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1245007
THOMPSON HELPS IOWANS PREPARE FOR DECLINE OF ASH TREES
As the emerald ash borer continues its seemingly inevitable spread across the state, ISU professor Jan Thompson, natural resource ecology and management and Harmon Family Professor of Forestry, is working with communities and homeowners to prepare for life without ash trees. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/03/11/ashtreereplace
NEW BANNER FEATURES CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH
Gene Takle, agronomy, and his work studying climate change are featured on the CALS homepage banner this week. The banner links to a story about Takle and his research team that appeared in the fall issue of STORIES magazine: http://stories.cals.iastate.edu/2013/12/forecasting-climate-change-find…. Takle and his graduate students have researched a multitude of climate-related issues, including the impact of climate change on soil carbon; stream flow in the Mississippi River; United States food security; and the productivity of wind farms, an alternative to carbon-based fossil fuels.
STUDENT CHOSEN AS STATE OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Breanna Branderhorst, junior in agriculture and life science education, has been named the 2014 Farm Credit Services of America outreach coordinator for Iowa. Branderhorst will be working with the program Farm Safety for Just Kids. More
CLIMATE SCIENTIST PART OF AG AND CLIMATE CHANGE PANEL
Christopher Anderson, climate scientist and agronomist, is part of a panel discussing “Agriculture and Climate Change: Faith for the Future,” to be held March 30, 2 p.m. at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames. Sponsors include Iowa Interfaith Power & Light, Center for Rural Affairs, Bethesda Lutheran Church, Citizens Climate Lobby and UNI’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education. For more information: Susan Guy, director@iowaipl.org, (515) 689-1112.
EXTENSION’S IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE
ISU Extension and Outreach – Agriculture and Natural Resources assists with solutions that benefit all Iowans. Impacts in 2013 “by the numbers” is available online.
A SIGN OF SPRING: LAWNMOWER SERVICE DAYS, APRIL 4-5
The Agriculture Systems Technology Club will hold its annual Lawnmower Service Days on April 4, from 1 to 6 p.m. and April 5, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Industrial Education II building, west of the ISU horse barns. Cost for routine maintenance is $35 for a push mower and $50 for a riding mower. (Major repairs not provided.) Pick-up and delivery are available for Ames only; $15 for push mowers and $20 for riding mowers. More: astservicedays@gmail.com, (515) 708-8672.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
March 21-23: American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association Symposium, Ames
April 15-16: 2014 Egg Industry Issues Forum, Indianapolis
April 23: George Washington Carver Life and Legacy Symposium, Scheman Center
April 29-30: Global Food Security Consortium Spring Symposium, Ames
May 14: Food and Agriculture National Conference, Minneapolis
May 14-16: Integrating Resistant Starch, Microbiome and Disease Risk Reduction international symposium, Ames
...................................................
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
...................................................
BROWN BAG LUNCH: ISU PUBLICATION SUBVENTION GRANTS
On March 28, Tammy Polaski will provide an overview of the OSPA proposal review process and how it affects the post-award process. Topics will include an explanation of how to register in different systems for ISU and external funding sources; the Goldsheet process, including the files needed for review; and tips for proposal and budget development. The workshop will be held 12:10 to 1 p.m. in Room 130 College of Design.
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/
April 11 (Letter of Intent and Stakeholder Relevance Statement): USDA NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
April 21: EPA National Indoor Environments Program: Reducing Public Exposure to Indoor Pollutants. More: https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/air-topics
April 30 (first cycle concept papers): USAID Pacific-American Climate Fund; $150,000 to $3 million. More: http://www.pgrd.org/projects/pacam/
May 6: NC-SARE Graduate Student Grant Program; up to $10,000. More: http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Our-Grant-Programs/Graduate-Stud…
May 6: NC-SARE Professional Development Grant Program; $30,000 to $75,000. More: http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Our-Grant-Programs/Professional-…
May 8: Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative.
May 19 (letter of intent): NIH Partnerships for Diagnostics to Address Antimicrobial Resistance of Select Bacterial Pathogens (R01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-14-019.html
June 5: NIH Early Stage Development of Technologies in Biomedical Computing, Informatics and Big Data Science (R01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-14-155.html
June 9: NSF Critical Techniques and Technologies for Advancing Big Data Science & Engineering. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504767
...................................................
COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
...................................................
THE ‘EMPHATIC’ USE OF QUOTATION MARKS
Quotation marks, single or double, can be used to highlight a word that is being used somehow peculiarly – a writer may wish to indicate irony, inaccuracy or skepticism, for example. Used this way, they’re called scare quotes. It’s a technique that quickly wears thin, so style guides sometimes caution against its excessive use. And there’s a related problem: non-standard emphasis. If you saw a window sign for ‘homemade’ stew or a label promising ‘delicious’ waffles, would the punctuation affect how you imagine the food? Are you feeling trustful? More: http://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/the-emphatic-use-of-quotation-ma…
...................................................
INFOGRAZING
...................................................
ENHANCING DIVERSITY IN ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENTS, APRIL 2
“Climate Change…It’s Not What You Think. Assessing and Enhancing Diversity in Academic Environments,” will be held April 2 at noon in 2532 Vet Med. Lisa Greenhill, associate executive director for Institutional Research and Diversity at the Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, will discuss campus climate with respect to diversity at U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine. She’ll also discuss national efforts to develop programming and guidance on best practices for improving and maintaining successful, supportive academic climates. Funded by the ISU Women’s and Diversity grant program. (Vet Med is a secure building, so please contact cmlogue@iastate.edu in advance to place your name on the visitor list for the seminar.)
STUDENT SUCCESS SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 3
The Iowa State Student Success Summit is scheduled for April 3, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union. The university wide summit will focus on retention issues facing campus, the academic success of students and student learning outcomes related to instruction. All faculty and staff are invited to attend this free conference. Registration is required.
PUBLICATION SUBVENTION GRANT PROPOSALS DUE APRIL 7
The Publication Subvention Grant comes from an endowment formed from the proceeds of the sale of ISU Press to support publication of meritorious scholarly writings and other worthy original works. Full-time faculty members and P&S staff (P37 level or above) may apply. The application process has changed slightly so please read the application instructions and submit electronically to Sandra Norvell (snorvell@iastate.edu) by April 7.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS EXTENDED TO APRIL 8
The Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities has extended the deadline to April 8 for proposals for panels, breakout sessions, creative submissions and posters for its 2014 national conference hosted by ISU, Nov. 5-8. The alliance is a partnership of almost 30 institutions committed to the expansion of the arts in research universities and ensuring the greatest possible institutional support for interdisciplinary research, curricula, programs and creative practice.
...................................................
INTERNAL VOICES
...................................................
TAYLOR IS SEEING INDICATIONS OF LA NINA
Elwynn Taylor, agronomy and ISU Extension climatologist, spoke at the recent Hawkeye Farm Show at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. He is seeing signs that a La Nina condition is establishing itself. "We are in a time when management of risk is increasingly important," Taylor said. "The profits are there for those who do." More: http://www.postbulletin.com/archives/taylor-is-seeing-indications-of-la…
...................................................
EXTERNAL VOICES
...................................................
JOURNALIST: INVESTIGATIVE SERIES ON USE OF GMOs IN FOOD PRODUCTION
Journalist and author Nathanael Johnson was skeptical of genetically modified organisms when he began a six-month investigative series about their use in food production. He opposed what they stood for, not necessarily that they were unsafe. Twenty-six stories later, the food writer for Grist, an online environmental magazine based in Seattle, has a different view. "What's the fuss all about?" Johnson now says with conviction. Johnson talked about his research and findings March 10 during an event hosted by the Iowa Food & Family Project. More: http://www.morningagclips.com/index.php?cID=6348#.Uyb1hkZOWM9
........................................................
AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
........................................................
EDITOR
Julie Stewart
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
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, title, organization, email address and the message "Ag and Life Sciences Online subscribe" to jstewart@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send your name and email address to "Ag and Life Sciences Online unsubscribe."
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IowaStateU.AgLifeSciences
Twitter: http://twitter.com/iastate_cals
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3350 Beardshear Hall (515) 294-7612.