...................................................
AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
...................................................
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
April 14, 2014 No. 794
...................................................
COLLEGE NEWS
...................................................
FIVE CALS STUDENTS IN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM APRIL 15
ISU undergraduates will display their research and creative endeavors during the eighth annual Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression on Tuesday, April 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union. CALS students presenting are: Megan Weems, senior in microbiology; Kate Hunter, senior in animal ecology and biology; and Kelsey Casebere, senior in dairy science. Also, Christopher Hernandez, senior in agronomy and genetics and a McNair Scholar; and Garrett Smith, senior in microbiology and genetics and part of the Amgen Scholar program. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/04/09/ug-research
STANIFORTH LECTURER TO DISCUSS HERBICIDE RESISTANCE
The 25th annual David W. Staniforth Memorial Lecture will be held April 15, 4:10 to 5 p.m. in 1131 National Swine Research and Information Center. David Ervin, professor emeritus of environmental management and economics and senior fellow for the Institute for Sustainable Solution at Portland State University in Oregon, will present “Herbicide Resistance: Will Voluntary Measures Work or is Regulation Inevitable?” More: http://www.event.iastate.edu/event/32837
SUSTAINABLE AG SPRING SYMPOSIUM SET FOR APRIL 16
The Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture spring symposium is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2 to 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union South Ballroom and Sun Room. Elena Bennett, associate professor at McGill University, will present “Ecosystem services from agriculture: designing multifunctional landscapes.” Also included in the event are research posters and locally sourced food and beverages. The symposium is open to the public and free of charge. No preregistration is required.
CALS STUDENT HONORED WITH UDALL AND HIGH FLYER AWARDS
Genna Tesdall, senior in global resource systems and biology, has won Honorable Mention in the 2014 Udall Scholarship competition. Established by Congress in 1992, the Udall Foundation awards scholarships to undergraduates students who show promise for making significant contribution – through scientific advances, service or community action – to environmental, natural resource or Native American issues. Tesdall was also selected for the ISU, Kappa Alpha Theta, High Flyer Award as an outstanding undergraduate leader at ISU. President Leath and Senior Vice President Hill presented the award to Tesdall’s family on April 13, as she is studying abroad and completing a GRS internship in Germany.
SAVE THE DATE: SCIENCE WITH PRACTICE POSTER PRESENTATION
The Science With Practice poster presentation will be held April 29, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Kildee Hall Atrium. Science With Practice is a CALS experiential learning and work program for undergraduate students in agriculture.
CORN STOVER HARVESTED FOR INDUSTRIAL USE
Corn stover, used for decades as silage and bedding, is now being harvested for industrial use. Producers can learn about engineering, agronomic and financial issues related to corn stover harvest in a new series of fact sheets from ISU Extension and Outreach. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/corn-stover-gains-attention-iow...
COVER CROPS GROWING IN IOWA FIELDS
A cover crop planted last fall at ISU’s Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm near Sutherland is sprouting. A photo on the Leopold Center’s website shows the rye cover crop started to grow amid corn stover from last year’s crop. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESENTS DISTINGUISHED AWARDS
The ISU Alumni Association held its 2014 Distinguished Awards Ceremony on April 11. Gerald Kolschowsky (BS ’62 agricultural business) received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Jeff and Deb Hansen and John Pesek Jr., agronomy, received the Honorary Alumni Award. The Iowa Pork Producers Association received the Order of the Knoll Corporate and Foundation Award. More: http://www.isualum.org/index.cfm?nodeID=7867&audienceID=1
WATER ROCKS! VIDEOS EARN MOTION PICTURE AWARDS
The Water Rocks! team received 15 awards at the 23rd Annual Iowa Motion Picture Association award ceremony, held March 29 in Burlington, Iowa. The Water Rocks! team has produced numerous music videos, public service announcements and several documentaries that explore all aspects of water resources. More: http://www.waterrocks.org/
CALS RECIPIENTS OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES CENTER 2014 AWARDS
The Student Activities Center presented its 2014 Student Organization Awards on April 8. Outstanding Event of the Year was awarded to the Bacon Expo, held Oct. 19 with more than 1,000 attendees. Outstanding Commitment to Service was awarded to the Sustainable Agriculture Student Association, a student led organization working towards promoting sustainable agriculture, consumer education, and outreach and improvement of the current agricultural paradigm. Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year was awarded to Erica Beirman, Culinary Science Club, who works with students interested in culinary arts, science and food production.
MEAT JUDGING TEAM WINS WEEKEND COMPETITION
The ISU Meat Judging team competed April 11-12 in the 2014 Southeastern Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest held at The Ohio State University/University of Kentucky. They are the repeating champions of this event. The team placed first and third in the competition that hosted 12 teams and 70 contestants. The team placed first and second in beef grading, second in pork judging, first and fourth in beef judging, second and third in specifications, first in overall beef, fourth in overall placings, and first in reasons. In the overall contest, five of the team members earned top 10 individual honors, including Breanna Branderhorst, junior, agricultural and life sciences education, second; and Matt Schulte, junior, animal science, third. Team members include Branderhorst; Schulte; Jordy Berger, senior, animal science; Patrick Frank, junior, animal science; Ty Sexton, senior, agricultural systems technology; Erika Edwards, sophomore, animal science; Amanda Patterson, sophomore, animal science; and Brian Patterson, junior, animal science.
HOMEPAGE BANNER FEATURES EXTENSION ANNIVERSARY
The new banner on the CALS homepage celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act, the founding legislation of the nationwide Cooperative Extension System. In Iowa, Cooperative Extension is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The Iowa Senate passed a bipartisan resolution March 27. Video of the Senate's action and more information are available on ISU Extension's anniversary page. Extension and Outreach works with CALS to provide Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension, one of its program areas that brings research-based education to Iowans.
ICE CREAM AVAILABLE FROM DAIRY SCIENCE CLUB
The Dairy Science Club has a surplus of homemade ice cream. They will be selling every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the rest of the semester except for finals week in Kildee Hall. Personal orders are also available—orders under 50 cups are $1 each, orders of 50 cups or more are 75 cents each. Flavors are vanilla, chocolate, mint chocolate, Oreo, Reese’s, Butterfinger, Twix, Snickers, s’mores and triple chocolate. Email Kelsey Casebere (kelcase@iastate.edu) with orders.
RETIRED AGRONOMY PROFESSOR DIES
Wilbert Russell, retired agronomy professor, died April 6. He was 91. During his 37 years at ISU, Russell developed and released corn inbreds for the Iowa Agricultural Research Station. The most well known was B73, which was released in 1972. He received worldwide recognition and was the recipient of numerous awards. In 2008, ISU’s first endowed department chair was established in the agronomy department named in his honor. More: http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/obituaries/Wilbert-Russell/#!/Obituary
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
April 23: George Washington Carver Life and Legacy Symposium, Scheman Center
April 29-30: Global Food Security Consortium Spring Symposium, Ames
...................................................
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
...................................................
OSPA PLANNING FOR TEMPORARY PERIOD OF REDUCED STAFFING
The OSPA Pre-Award Team will be short-staffed several days in late April and early May as team members attend trainings. The Pre-Award Team requests that gold sheets for proposals due April 23 through May 5 arrive in OSPA by April 18 to allow time for review and questions prior to submission deadlines. During this time, the best way to contact an OSPA Pre-Award Administrator is via email. Gold sheets that arrive late in OSPA during this time will likely receive only a minimal review or be submitted without review. Please alert the OSPA team (ospa-proposals@iastate.edu) about proposals with submission deadlines during this time frame so they can plan ahead.
KECK FOUNDATION COMPETITION PRE-PROPOSALS AND OPEN FORUM
The VPR Office and ISU Foundation are accepting pre-proposals for the 2014 WM Keck Foundation competition. Individuals interested in submitting a pre-proposal are encouraged to attend an open forum to discuss this year’s competition. The open forum will be held April 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Gold Room. Pre-proposals for the internal competition must be sent to Sue Shipitalo (sueship@iastate.edu) no later than June 2 at 5 p.m. Contact Donna Van Pelt (dvanpelt@foundation.iastate.edu, 294-1280) with questions.
LIMITED SUBMISSION: GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY INVESTMENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The VPR Office is accepting expressions of interest for applications to the Great Lakes Community Investment Internship Program. Grants of up to $150,000 each will provide funding for new paid internships for rising juniors, juniors and seniors with any level of financial need. ISU can submit only one application. Interested individuals should contact Sue Shipitalo (sueship@iastate.edu) by April 18 so the VPR Office can determine whether an internal competition is needed. Final applications are due May 15.
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 16 (expression of interest): William T Grant Scholars Program; one submission per college, interested individuals should contact Joe Colletti (Colletti@iastate.edu). More: www.wtgrantfoundation.org
May 5, Sept. 26 (letter of intent): Agricultural, Forestry and Fishing Safety and Health Research (U01); forestry and logging, one application per institution. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-14-175.html
May 7: Global Innovation through Science and Technology Network Partnership Support Services; $150,000 for secretariat support functions. More: https://www.grantsolutions.gov/gs/preaward/previewPublicAnnouncement.do?...
May 12: NOAA Institutional Research Forums on Atmospheric, Climate and Ocean Sciences; $2.1 million over five years. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=253635
May 27: 2014 EPA Greater Research Opportunities Fellowships for Undergraduate Environmental Study.
June 5: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine (R01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-11-148.html
July 10, Nov. 14: NSF Advancing Informal STEM Learning. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504793
...................................................
COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
...................................................
TO ILLUSTRATE IS TO ENLIGHTEN
Illustrations provide the most immediate and influential connection between scientists and the general public. The National Science Foundation’s Science 360 for iPad app provides easy access to engaging science and engineering images and video from around the globe and a news feed featuring breaking news from NSF-funded institutions.
...................................................
INFOGRAZING
...................................................
RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH TRAINING FOR GRAD STUDENTS AND POST-DOCS
The National Science Foundation, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and certain National Institutes of Health awards require that graduate students and postdoctoral associates be trained in the responsible conduct of research. To help meet this requirement, each fall and spring term, ISU offers both graduate level and postdoctoral level courses in RCR. The graduate level course is GR ST 565. Responsible Conduct of Research in Science and Engineering. The postdoctoral course is a non-credit version of GRST 565. Both versions of the course are open to all interested parties on a first-come, first-served basis.
...................................................
INTERNAL VOICES
...................................................
MILLER: AGRICULTURE INSTRUCTOR SHORTAGE IN IOWA
Wade Miller, professor and interim chair of agricultural education and studies, confirms a shortage of agriculture instructors in Iowa in an article in Farm News on April 11. “We see between 20 to 25 openings for agriculture teachers in Iowa each year,” Miller said. “In many cases, only a handful of applicants (are available) while the demand for teachers is constant across the state.” More: https://www.farm-news.com/2014/04/10/where-have-all-the-ag-teachers-gone/
...................................................
EXTERNAL VOICES
...................................................
HOW TO THINK LIKE THE DUTCH IN A POST-SANDY WORLD
Henk Ovink, a Dutch water-management expert, is trying to persuade Americans to approach water the way the Dutch do. He came to the U.S. in 2013 as senior advisor to Shaun Donovan, secretary of Housing and Urban Development. "Water has not been a policy issue in the U.S.," Ovink said in an article in The New York Times on April 9. "That's because you're mostly all above sea level. But what if the sea level changes?" More: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/13/magazine/how-to-think-like-the-dutch-i...
...................................................
MARGINALIA
...................................................
ISU COMPOST FACILITY PROVIDES AMENDED SOIL FOR CAMPUS
As spring arrives on campus, you may notice ISU groundskeepers adding black soil along sidewalks and seeding grass. Or, you may notice the flowerbeds of black soil coming to life. The black soil is a mix of compost and topsoil called amended soil and comes from the University Compost Facility south of Ames. The Compost Facility, which is operated by ISU Research and Demonstration Farms, opened in 2008 and receives dairy manure, campus yard waste, greenhouse waste and food waste from ISU Dining. The organic material is mixed with cornstalks and composted. In 2013, the Compost Facility received 6,767 tons and produced 5,612 tons of compost and amended soil used on campus. Finishing around construction sites is a major use of the amended soil.
........................................................
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.