College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
July 6, 2015 – No. 857
Top Stories
ISU Seeks Research Proposals for Tracking Water Quality Progress
ISU is seeking research proposals for a partnership to improve the ability to track progress on reducing the movement of nutrients from farm fields. The 2015 Iowa Legislature approved, and Governor Branstad signed, legislation funding the effort for three years. The deadline is July 15 for submitting preproposals focused on demonstrated expertise and capability for data collection and verification of agricultural practices at the field level. More
Research
Research Outlines Potential for `Slow Money’ Movement
Recently published research from ISU shines a spotlight on the “slow money” movement, which seeks to match locally produced and environmentally friendly food and artisanal products and services with fresh capital investment. Co-authors of the report include Priyanka Jayashankar, management, and Mark Rasmussen, Leopold Center. More
Janzen Praises Australian Study of Lizards, Temperature and Gender
In the July 1 issue of the New York Times, Frederic Janzen, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, praised the work of a new study through the University of Canberra as thorough and convincing. The study reports that hotter temperatures are affecting the gender of Australia’s bearded dragon lizards. Some reptiles, like alligators and some turtles, have their genders determined by temperature during incubation. Janzen told the Times that the study can help “to better understand these remarkable animals in a rapidly changing world.” More
Research Results Available for Leopold Center Projects
Summaries of 11 recently completed research projects are available from the Leopold Center, including water quality, alternative practices for corn and soybean systems and expansion of local food production in Iowa. More
Teaching and Students
New FSHN Course Focuses on Global Nutrition
Global Nutrition is a new three-credit class offered to graduate students in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Students will research country-specific issues from an applied perspective. Contact Donna Winham (dwinham@iastate.edu) with questions. More
Student Manager of Organic Farm Live on KHOI Radio
Bryn Takle, graduate student in horticulture and student manager of the ISU-operated organic farm at the Horticulture Research Station, follows up a segment on the farm by explaining the operation live in the KHOI community radio studio. More
CALS Student Writes about Making a Difference with Iowa Learning Farms
Pacifique Mugwaneza Simon, a senior in agricultural systems technology who is a summer intern with Iowa Learning Farms and Water Rocks!, wrote about making a difference on the Iowa Learning Farms blog on June 30. Simon is originally from Burundi, but spent most of his childhood in refugee camps throughout Rwanda, Congo and Tanzania. “Growing up in a different part of the world, I saw first-hand how agriculture and natural resources are vital to everyone,” Simon wrote. “I hope to one day return to East Africa, to Burundi, so that I may impart what I have learned.” More
Extension and Outreach
Schwab Talks Farm Safety on KMA’s IowaWatch
Farm deaths account for more fatalities each year than any other Iowa job sector. Charles Schwab, agricultural and biosystems engineering and Extension farm safety specialist, told IowaWatch on KMA Land that farm safety is a three-legged stool: educating, training and enforcement of regulation. More
Turfgrass Research Highlight of July 23 Field Day
The Horticulture Research Station is host for the annual Iowa Turfgrass Field Day on July 23, 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The annual event is offered to golf course maintenance crews, athletic field managers, lawn care companies and homeowners. More
Iowa State Fair Brings Back Commodity Carnival
The Commodity Carnival will be offered for a second year at the Iowa State Fair and at 15 county fairs. The interactive, hands-on game shows youth the behind-the-scenes components and challenges of animal production. Allison Lansman, senior in dietetics, is a Commodity Carnival intern with ISU Extension and Outreach’s 4-H Youth Development program. More
Around the College
New Chair for Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture
Matt O’Neal, entomology, began a two-year appointment as chair of the Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture on July 2. O’Neal takes over for Mary Wiedenhoeft, agronomy, who will serve as director of graduate education. Lisa Schulte-Moore, natural resource ecology and management, will remain as associate chair.
Seed Science Center Remembers Lisa Shepherd Jenkins
Lisa Shepherd Jenkins, Seed Science Center seed health testing coordinator and director of the administrative unit of the National Seed Health System, died July 1. She was 43. Jenkins was a champion for phytosanitary issues relating to seed health and was highly regarded by seed industry colleagues from around the world for her expertise in seed-borne diseases and plant pathology. More
Funding Opportunities
U.S.-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund Calls for Proposals
The U.S.-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund has issued several new funding opportunities. The BARD Research Grant Program funds up to $340,000 total for three-year projects conducted cooperatively by U.S. and Israeli scientists. The application deadline for research proposals is Sept. 9. Applications for the BARD Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, Senior Research Fellowship Program, Graduate Fellowship Student Program and workshop funding are due Jan. 18. More
USAID Higher Education Partnerships for Innovation and Impact Program
USAID is accepting concept papers through the Higher Education Partnerships for Innovation and Impact Program Annual Program Statement. USAID seeks to partner with higher education institutions across disciplines and collaboration models to facilitate USAID mission and country efforts to improve development outcomes, from small to large-scale activities. Concept papers are accepted through June 29, 2016. More
Correction: KSU Sustainable Intensification Concept Notes Due July 10
Concept Notes for the Kansas State sub-awards supporting Sustainable Intensification in West Africa, East Africa and Asia are due July 10. More
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.
July 15: United States – India Science & Technology Endowment Fund; up to $400,000. More
July 17: U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers CESU; transgenerational effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on fish, $146,875 with possible two-year renewal. More
July 31: USAID Feed the Future Liberia Agribusiness Development Activity; $20 million over five years, one proposal per applicant, contact Chitra Rajan (rajanc@iastate.edu) with interest by July 6. More
July 31: USAID Liberia Forest Incomes for Environmental Sustainability; $23 million; one proposal per applicant, contact Chitra Rajan (rajanc@iastate.edu) with interest by July 6. More
Aug. 3 (pre-proposal): NFWF Pulling Together Initiative 2015; $25,000 to $200,000, 1:1 match. More
Aug. 14: EPA Environmental Governance Capacity Building Program; one award, $5 million over five years, language requirements. More
Aug. 19: USDA NIFA Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Grants Program; $262,500 per application, $525,000 total awards per institution. More
Aug. 31: Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum - R&D Joint Networked Center. More
Sept. 5: NIH PHS 2015-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42]); Phase I $225,000, Phase II $1.5 million, must partner with small business concern. More
Sept. 15 (letter of intent): NIH A Community Research Resource of Microbiome-Derived Factors Modulating Host Physiology in Obesity, Digestive and Liver Diseases, and Nutrition (R24). More
Sept. 15 (letter of intent): NIH Exploratory Studies for Delineating Microbiome: Host Interactions in Obesity, Digestive and Liver Diseases and Nutrition (R21); $275,000 (direct costs) over two years. More
Sept. 22: NSF Advances in Biological Informatics. More
Sept. 22: NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; $650,000 to $5 million. More
Sept. 25: NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program; $10,000 to $200,000. More
Oct. 5: National Academy of Sciences Award Nominations. More
Infograzing
Allergen-free Peanuts Lead USDA Report on New Innovations in Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its 2014 Annual Report on Technology Transfer, discoveries by USDA researchers that have led to new patents and inventions with the potential for commercial application and potential economic growth. Highlighted discoveries include procedures to remove up to 98 percent of the allergens from peanuts without affecting the flavor. More
2015 World Food Prize Laureate Named
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed of Bangladesh, the internationally renowned founder and chairperson of BRAC (formerly known as Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee), will be honored as the 2015 World Food Prize Laureate for his achievement in building what many have hailed as the most effective anti-poverty organization in the world. Abed has grown BRAC into the world’s largest nongovernmental organization, giving nearly 150 million people the opportunity for enhanced food security and a pathway out of poverty. More
Marginalia
Volunteers Needed for Sweet Corn Harvest
This summer, food insecure Iowans will have the opportunity to enjoy fresh produce as nearly 500 dozen ears of corn will be donated to families in need throughout central Iowa. Jacob and Emily Van Manen of Kellogg, owners of J&E’s Delicious Sweet Corn, are donating the corn, which will be distributed through food pantries and the downtown Des Moines produce stand that serves 200 families each Wednesday. The Iowa Food Bank Association is looking for volunteers to help harvest the sweet corn in mid-July. More
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is published by email every Monday. The deadline for submitting content is 12 p.m. on Friday.