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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Oct. 13, 2014 No. 820
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COLLEGE NEWS
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AGRICULTURE CAREER DAY ATTRACTS RECORD NUMBER OF RECRUITERS
Agriculture Career Day, set for Tuesday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center, is expected to bring more than 250 employers, a record number recruiting for jobs in agricultural and natural resources. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/agriculture-career-day-attrac...
WORLD FOOD PRIZE EVENTS ON CAMPUS AND IN DES MOINES
The 2014 World Food Prize will be awarded this week, one of many events on food security, world hunger and agriculture to be held in Iowa Oct. 13-18. CALS has compiled a list of selected World Food Prize and related events taking place either on campus or in Des Moines. The selected events in Des Moines involve participation by college faculty, staff or students. The next item, below, provides an overview of campus events; the full list can be found at: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/14worldfoodprize. For full details on World Food Prize week events: http://www.worldfoodprize.org/
WORLD FOOD PRIZE: CAMPUS EVENTS
- 13th annual Norman Borlaug Lectureship Poster Competition for Graduate and Undergraduate Students, Oct. 13, 7 to 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union South Ballroom. More: http://www.fshn.hs.iastate.edu/p-news/borlaug-poster-competition/
- Plant scientist Sanjaya Rajaram, 2014 World Food Prize Laureate, will present the Norman Borlaug Lecture on Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/10/06/borlaug2014
- Robert Fraley, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Monsanto and 2013 World Food Prize Laureate, will speak at ISU on Oct. 15, 10 to 10:50 a.m. in the Memorial Union Cardinal Room.
- Sonny Ramaswamy, director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, will speak on Oct. 17, 3:10 to 4 p.m. in 127 Curtiss Hall, the Leonard and Evelyn Dolezal Auditorium. More: http://www.event.iastate.edu/event/34185/?sy=2014&sm=10&sd=17&s=d&catego...
- M.S. Swaminathan, first recipient of the World Food Prize in 1987, will present “Take it to the Farmer” on Oct. 17, 7 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. More: http://www.lectures.iastate.edu/lecture/34168
ROSS PRESENTED ANDERSON ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP
Jason Ross, associate professor of animal science, was presented the Lloyd L. Anderson Endowed Professorship in Physiology to recognize his contribution to the field of animal physiology. The professorship is named for Lloyd Anderson, an emeritus professor of animal science and a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences at ISU. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/isu-animal-scientist-presente...
EXTENSION SCHEDULING FARM BILL MEETINGS
Iowa farmers and landowners will learn about the new programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly referred to as the Farm Bill) at information meetings conducted by ISU Extension and Outreach and local USDA Farm Service Agency staff members. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/isu-extension-scheduling-farm...
FORMER TRANSITION PRESIDENT OF GUINEA TO SPEAK AT ISU
CALS is co-sponsor of a lecture featuring General Sekouba Konate to be held Nov. 19, 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. General Konate, former Transition President of the Republic of Guinea, is now the High Representative of the African Union for the Operationalization of the African Standby Force. He will speak on the “Democratic Transition in Republic of Guinea and the African Union’s Role in Africa’s Security.” More: http://www.lectures.iastate.edu/lecture/34170
RESEARCHERS TURN TO ROBOTICS TO UNDERSTAND PLANT GROWTH
ISU researchers are developing a new facility that will use a specially designed robot to gather unprecedented amounts of data on the growth of plants under different environmental conditions. Steven Whitham, plant pathology and microbiology, is the primary investigator. Stephen Howell, genetics, development and cell biology, and Lie Tang, agricultural and biosystems engineering, are collaborating. The project was funded by a $929,773 grant from the National Science Foundation. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/10/10/envirtatron
MARTIN NAMED OUTSTANDING AG EDUCATOR
Robert Martin, agricultural education and studies, was selected Outstanding Agricultural Educator by the North Central Region of the American Association for Agricultural Education at the NC-AAAE Research Conference and Symposium held last week in Morgantown, W.Va. In addition, the ISU Agricultural Education and Studies Department earned recognition for having four peer reviewed outstanding research and innovative ideas posters and the outstanding research paper presentation.
EXTENSION EMBRACES CHANGE AT 100
As Extension officials across the country celebrate the 100th anniversary of passage by Congress of the Smith-Lever Act, which established the cooperative Extension service nationwide, Cathann Kress, vice president for Extension and Outreach at ISU, says there is much to celebrate. Kress, John Lawrence, director of agriculture and natural resources programs in Extension and CALS associate dean, and John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, program leader for 4-H youth development, were featured in the Oct. 9 issue of “Iowa Farmer Today.” More: http://www.iowafarmertoday.com/news/crop/extension-embraces-change-at/ar...
ISU GRAD STUDENTS SUSTAINABLY FEEDING THE COMMUNITY
Members of the Sustainable Agriculture Student Association have spent the past two summers growing and cooking food for people in need in Ames. A video produced by ISU News Service shows how they are meeting their mission of feeding people nutritious food in a sustainable way. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/video/view/id/fwxToU_iBnM
PHENOMICS WORKSHOP SERIES CONTINUES OCT. 17
The Plant Sciences Institute weekly interdisciplinary phenomics workshop series continues Friday, Oct. 17, 12 to 2 p.m. in 3140 Agronomy. The goal is to promote interaction among faculty in diverse disciplines and help forge new collaborations that will lead to the submission of successful grant proposals, ground-breaking research and the formation of new companies. More: http://plantsciences.iastate.edu/news__events/iences.iastate.edu/news__e...
CALS STUDENT CLUB LAUNCHES NEW PUBLICATION FOR STUDENTS
The Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club has launched “CALS Connections,” a new publication created for students, by students and about students of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The first issue focuses on cultivating your college career. More: Haley Banwart, editor, hbanwart@iastate.edu.
DAIRY JUDGING TEAM PLACES THIRD IN BROWN SWISS AT WORLD DAIRY EXPO
The Dairy Judging Team competed in the World Dairy Expo Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 in Madison, Wis. ISU placed third high team overall in Brown Swiss. Cody Sacquitne, senior in dairy science, finished third high individual overall in Brown Swiss.
MEAT JUDGING TEAM PLACES FOURTH IN ROYAL INTERCOLLEGIATE CONTEST
The ISU Meat Judging Team competed in the 2014 American Royal Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest presented by Elanco Animal Health and hosted by Nebraska Beef in Omaha. The team was fourth in total placings. Bree Branderhorst, junior in agricultural and life sciences education, was fourth high individual in total placings.
GRADUATE STUDENT WINS SWINE FEDERATION AWARD
Dinesh Thekkoot, graduate student in animal science, won the National Swine Improvement Federation Lauren L. Christian Graduate Student Award. Thekkoot is the 12th ISU student to receive the award since the program began in 1993.
UNDERGRADUATES RECEIVE DAIRY SCHOLARSHIPS
Mike Bahl, senior in dairy science, and Josh Simon, senior in agricultural engineering, were awarded the 2014 Iowa Association for Food Protection’s dairy scholarships. The scholarship recognizes top-achieving undergraduate dairy students who show excellent aspirations for future dairy careers.
SOIL JUDGING TEAM WINS REGIONAL COMPETITION
The ISU Soil Judging Team won the Region 5 Collegiate Soil Judging contest held here Oct. 2 ISU hosted the contest, which was authorized by the American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America. The team was coached by Tom Lawler and Heidi Dittmer, graduate students in agronomy. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/iowa-state-university-soil-ju...
STUDENTS PREPARE FOR SECOND ISU BACON EXPO
The second annual ISU Bacon Expo is scheduled for Nov. 8, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. The goal of the event is to educate the public on the importance of agriculture education. “Pigs outnumber people one-to-seven in the state of Iowa,” said Lexi Marek, a sophomore in public service and administration in agriculture and an organizer for the expo. “That means Iowans should be extremely proud of where they come from, because they are legitimately feeding the world.” More: http://whotv.com/2014/10/10/ticket-sales-open-for-second-annual-iowa-sta...
CALS UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN UPDATES
It’s the end of the fifth week of the ISU United Way Campaign and the college has raised $47,037, which is 64.88 percent of its goal of $72,500. Overall, ISU pledges and gifts total $244,015, which is 69.72 percent of ISU’s goal. The ISU campaign ends this week, Oct. 15. Last week’s book sale, held in Curtiss Hall and Molecular Biology Building, raised a record $833. Thanks to all who donated and purchased items. Unsold books were taken to Goodwill.The fifth annual CALS United Way online auction ended on Oct. 8, raising $1,988.
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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USAID PARTNERSHIPS FOR ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT IN RESEARCH
The USAID Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research program invites scientists in developing countries to apply for competitive grants to support research and capacity-building activities. PEER applicants are required to partner with a U.S.-based researcher supported by one of the following U.S. government agencies: NASA, NIH, NSF, Smithsonian Institution, USDA or USGS. The role of the U.S. partner is to provide complementary expertise and skills to the PEER project. Areas of interest include climate change, water resource management, biodiversity and other topics. The PEER program is implemented by the National Academy of Sciences. Pre-proposals are due Jan 9. More: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/peer/index.htm
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFERS TEAMING PARTNER LISTS
The DOE offers the opportunity for researchers to self-identify themselves for placement on Teaming Partner Lists for upcoming Funding Opportunity Announcements. The lists are being compiled to facilitate the formation of new project teams. More: https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/
CAYUSE 424 TRAINING WEBINARS IN OCTOBER
The Cayuse 424 product support team has scheduled training webinars for October. The webinars are sent to everyone who registers, which allows access at a later date for individuals who cannot participate at the stated times. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/node/198
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. 21 (RFA questions): USAID Support to Agricultural Research and Development Program - Haiti; $13.73 million over five years. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=263331
Nov. 18: National Pork Board Pork Request for Proposals – General Call 2015. More: http://www.pork.org/Research/499/ResearchRFP.aspx#.VDvP3RaBoQI
Dec. 1: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Fellowships; research-in-residence for senior scholars, post-docs, pre-docs and graduate students. More: http://www.serc.si.edu/pro_training/fellowships/fellowships.aspx
Dec. 19: USDA APHIS National Clean Plant Network; $10,000 to $1.25 million. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=268308
Jan. 2, 2015 (letter of intent): NIH Study of Nuclear Bodies and Compartments (U01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-14-008.html
Jan. 2, 2015 (letter of intent): NIH Nucleomics Tools (U01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-14-007.html
Jan. 2, 2015 (letter of intent): NIH 4D Nucleome Imaging Tools (U01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-14-009.html
Jan. 8, 2015: NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology; includes National Plant Genome Initiative Fellowships co-sponsored by NSF, DOE and USDA. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503622
Jan. 12, 2015 (letter of intent): NSF Partnerships for Innovation: Accelerating Innovation Research – Research Alliance (PRI:AIR-RA); $800,000 over three years. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14612/nsf14612.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT....
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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SHARE YOUR MESSAGE ON DIGITAL DISPLAY IN HARL COMMONS
A digital display monitor in Harl Commons is available for announcements and events related to the college and student clubs and organizations. For more information, contact Barb McBreen, barbmc@iastate.edu, 4-0707.
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INFOGRAZING
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IOWA AGRICULTURE LITERACY FOUNDATION LAUNCHED
A statewide organization was launched this summer aimed at helping Iowans understand more about how and where their food and fuel is produced. The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, with a primary focus on youth, is a collaboration of business, education and the agriculture industry to promote agriculture literacy and its global significance in Iowa Schools. IALF is governed by a 10-person board including the following founders: Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Corn Growers, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, and the Silos and Smokestacks Foundation. Additional board members include the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, DuPont Pioneer, GROWMARK, the Iowa Beef Industry Council, and a representative from an education advisory council. More: http://www.IowaAgLiteracy.org/
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INTERNAL VOICES
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TAKLE: CLIMATE CHANGE NOT SIMPLY A STATISTIC
Gene Takle, agronomy and director of the ISU Climate Science Program, was one of five professors at the Iowa State Capitol on Friday, Oct. 10, to release the co-authored Iowa Climate Statement 2014, endorsed by 180 science faculty and researchers from 38 Iowa colleges. “Climate change is not simply a statistic, but it’s in our basements, it’s in our homes. It’s real,” said Takle. More: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/des-moines/2014/10/11/...
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MARGINALIA
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JACKRABBIT NUMBERS ARE UP AT ISU FARM
The jackrabbit spotlight surveys are up again this year at the ISU Agricultural Engineering and Agronomy Research Farms near Boone. Faculty and students in the natural resource ecology and management department have been studying jackrabbits that live in and around the AEA Farms since 2006 at the request of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Peter Eyherhalde, NREM teaching assistant, estimated 80 jackrabbits this year, and added that they must be connecting with other small isolated jackrabbit populations in the winter, when their home ranges expand to include the picked crop fields, to keep from becoming inbred and/or going extinct. The Iowa population of jackrabbits has been declining for more than 40 years.
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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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