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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Dec. 22, 2014 No. 830
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COLLEGE NEWS
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DIFFERENCE MAKERS: NEW ISSUE OF STORIES MAGAZINE NOW ONLINE
A new issue of the college’s alumni magazine, STORIES in Agriculture and Life Sciences, featuring alumni, students and staff making a difference around the world, is available at: http://stories.cals.iastate.edu/
STUDENT TEAM FINALIST IN WORLDWIDE FOOD CHALLENGE
A student team calling themselves the Gung-ho Globies was chosen as one of 10 teams worldwide to compete for $10,000 in seed money for developing an innovative idea to feed the world. Team members include Mikayla Sullivan, a junior in global resource systems; Ella Gehrke, sophomore in GRS; Elise Kendall, junior in GRS; Clayton Mooney, senior in GRS; and Alexandria Wilson, freshman in animal science. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/gung-ho-globies-finalists-th…
FARMLAND VALUES FALL FROM HISTORIC HIGH
Average Iowa farmland value is now estimated to be $7,943 per acre—a drop in value of $773, or 8.9 percent, per acre. Land values were determined by the Iowa Land Value Survey, which was conducted in November by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/farmland-values-fall-histori…
IOWA AgSTATE OFFERS STRATEGIES TO CAPTURE VALUE FROM BIG DATA
Leading Iowa farm organizations, agribusinesses, state government and ISU have developed comprehensive action steps to help harness the power of agricultural data to the benefit of farmers. “The Digital Transformation of Row Crop Agriculture” report, developed by The Hale Group at the direction of Iowa AgState, provides a roadmap for how agricultural data can be protected and used to boost farmer productivity, efficiency and profitability. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/strategies-offered-iowa-agst…
ROSENTRATER MAKING FISH FOOD FROM CORN AND SOY
Kurt Rosentrater, agricultural and biosystems engineering, is studying how food derived from corn and soy can be used in aquaculture, work that could help farmers find new revenue streams and provide a boost to U.S. fish production. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/12/18/fishfood
WINHAM LOOKS AT BEANS TO IMPROVE GLOBAL NUTRITION
Donna Winham, food science and human nutrition, says beans are key to improving health and nutrition around the world. Winham joined the university in June. Her research focuses on health disparities caused by inequitable food distribution and cultural practices.
NEW TOOL EVALUATES OPTIONS FOR REDUCING ODORS
A team of ISU Extension and Outreach specialists have developed an online tool to help livestock and poultry producers compare odor mitigation techniques that could be useful on their farms. Air Management Practices Assessment Tool is web-based and available at no charge. Team members include Jay Harmon, Steven Hoff and Dan Andersen, agricultural and biosystems engineering, and Angie Rieck-Hinz, ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist.
RESEARCH RESULTS AVAILABLE FROM LEOPOLD CENTER PROJECTS
Summaries of seven recently completed competitive grant projects are now available from the Leopold Center. Among the research topics were phosphorus in beef cattle manure, soil quality in alternative cropping systems, on-farm energy use and machinery needs of small growers looking to scale up local food production.
RECEPTION HONORING KOEHLER SCHEDULED FOR JAN. 14
A reception honoring Ken Koehler’s service as chair of the statistics department since 2003 is scheduled for Jan. 14, 3:30 to 5 p.m. in 1109 Snedecor Hall. Koehler is a university professor of statistics and remains on the faculty.
HOGBERG RETIREMENT RECEPTION SCHEDULED FOR JAN. 16
A retirement reception for Maynard Hogberg, animal science, is scheduled for Jan. 16, 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Campanile Room. Hogberg has served as chair of the animal science department for more than a decade. There will be a program at 4 p.m.
ALLIANCE MESSAGE HIGHLIGHTS STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES
The Dec. 17 Alliance for Iowa State message highlights information on CALS students traveling to all seven continents. ISU is one of the nation’s leaders in sending agriculture and life sciences students abroad to gain educational and leadership experiences and cultural perspectives that are increasingly important to success in their careers. More: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs129/1111749662211/archive/11194911…;
STUDENTS STUDY IN SEVEN CONTINENTS
More than 400 students studied abroad through travel courses, service learning and internship programs during the past academic year. The curriculum offers unique and challenging opportunities to study on all seven continents. A video has been produced on the program, which helps students learn leadership and communications skills that will help them become global citizens and leaders. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/features/2014/students-study-seven-contine…
GRADUATE STUDENT HONORED BY NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
Dinesh Thekkoot, a graduate student in animal science, received the National Swine Improvement Federation Graduate Student Award during the organization’s annual conference this month. Thekkoot was nominated for the award by his major professor, Jack Dekkers.
RETIRED EXTENSION LIVESTOCK SPECIALIST DIES
Eldon Hans, retired Extension livestock specialist, died Dec. 11. He was 91. Hans received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in animal science from Iowa State and worked throughout the state as a livestock production specialist with ISU Extension. More: http://www.cedarmemorial.com/Obituary/2014/Dec/Eldon-Hans/
AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE: NEXT ISSUE JAN. 12
Ag and Life Sciences Online will take the next two weeks off for the holidays. It will resume Monday Jan. 12. Happy holidays!
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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REVISED GRANTS.GOV APPLICATION GUIDE EFFECTIVE DEC. 26
Grants.gov has issued a revised application guide effective for applications submitted, or due, on or after Dec. 26. The guide has been updated to align with changes to NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/grantsgovguide1214.pdf?WT.mc_id=USNS…
BORLAUG LEAP FELLOWSHIPS DUE MAY 1
The Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program offers fellowships for graduate students from developing countries for agricultural research at U.S. universities. The program invites applications from citizens of USAID-assisted countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Each research project is coordinated by a university in the student's home country, a university in the U.S. and a mentor in CGIAR. Applications are due by Mar. 31.
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/
Jan. 5 (letter of interest): NSF Cultivating Cultures for Ethical STEM; $600,000 over five years or $400,000 over three years, limited to one submission per institution, message sueship@iastate.edu if interested. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505027&org=NSF&sel_org=…
Jan. 9: DOI USGS Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Record Management System; $50,000 first year, additional funding over four more years. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=270543
Jan. 15: Burroughs Wellcome Fund Postdoctoral Enrichment Program; $60,000 over three years.
Feb. 2: Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows Award; $57,000 to $67,000, one application per institution, message sueship@iastate.edu if interested. More: http://beckman-foundation.com/aob-postdoc-program-overview
Feb. 20: USDA NIFA Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program; ISU cannot be lead organization. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=270575
Mar. 6: Environmental Education Local Grants Program; $91,000, 25 percent match.
Mar. 7 (letter of intent): NIH National Human Genome Research Institute Centers for Common Disease Genomics (UM1); $40 million per year up to four years, one application per institution. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-15-001.html
Mar. 7 (letter of intent): NIH National Human Genome Research Institute Centers for Mendelian Disease Genomics (UM1); $5 million per year up to four years, one application per institution. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-15-002.html
Mar. 17, Aug. 4: NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program; four different tracks to support K-12 STEM teaching, matching required for some tracks. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5733&org=NSF&sel_org=NS…
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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WHAT MAKES A GOOD SCIENCE STORY – MYSTERY
Science is all about asking questions and solving puzzles, and it is very appealing to journalists if you can talk about your work as a mystery. What question are you trying to answer? What are the plot twists? Who are the characters? Journalists are not only interest in published papers and results, they also enjoy the journey of discovery along the way. Unsolved mysteries can be compelling precisely because they haven’t been completely solved yet. When the question is intriguing, the pursuit of an answer can be enough. (Escape from the Ivory Tower: A Guide to Making Your Science Matter, 2010, pg. 45 – part 3 of 8.)
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INFOGRAZING
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WORKSHOP PROPOSALS NEEDED FOR 4-H YOUTH CONFERENCE
The 2015 4-H Youth Conference is scheduled for June 30 to July 2 at ISU. With more than 900 high school students from across Iowa attending, it is an opportunity for departments to share what they have available for potential students. Workshop proposals are due Jan. 7. Contact Brenda Allen (bsallen@iastate.edu, 4-1567) with questions. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/iowa4hyouthconference
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MARGINALIA
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IOWA STATE HOLIDAY MESSAGE INCLUDES PHOTOS BY BARB MCBREEN
The Iowa State University President’s Holiday card released Friday includes photos by Barb McBreen from the CALS Communications Service. The card highlights winter memories of campus from alums to Cy to current students.
REPURPOSING THE CONTENTS OF DAVIDSON HALL
The 92-year-old Davidson Hall – former home of the agricultural and biosystems engineering department – is being prepped for demolition, which gets underway in early January. ISU asset recovery removed 20 truckloads of office furniture and Bell Salvage purchased about 10 tons of metal removed from the building. The ABE department relocated about 50 pieces of teaching and research equipment to Sukup Hall, and other items will be reused by facilities planning and management or other ISU units. Last week, a team from Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity was in the building to salvage an assortment of well-used items. The building demolition is expected to take about 3.5 months to complete. More: http://bit.ly/1rdacG3
CALS POSES FIVE QUESTIONS TO ALUM CHRIS SOULES, ABC’s “THE BACHELOR”
Chris Soules (’04 agronomy, agricultural studies) is the next bachelor on ABC’s “The Bachelor” to premier Jan. 5. A farmer and farm manager with Summit Farms, Soules has used his notoriety for agricultural advocacy in promotional tours around the world. He answers five questions about his experience and telling agriculture’s story in an online feature for CALS.
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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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