College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Feb. 19, 2018
Top Stories
CALS Honors Jacob Hunter as Emerging Iowa Leader
CALS presented Jacob Hunter of Davenport the 2018 Emerging Iowa Leader award at center court of Hilton Coliseum during the college-sponsored Cyclone women’s basketball game on Feb. 10. Hunter is the agricultural educator and FFA advisor at North Scott High School in Eldridge. He formerly served as the director of Iowa education programs for the World Food Prize Foundation. More
Research
Economists Outline Benefits of Reducing Nitrates
A study conducted by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development explores the potential economic benefits to drinking water, recreation and health through meeting the targets of Iowa’s statewide strategy for reducing nutrients. The study was led by Chuan Tang, a postdoctoral researcher, and Gabriel Lade, economics. More
Iowa Soybean Association Board Members Learn about ISU Research
The Iowa Soybean Research Center recently hosted Iowa Soybean Association board members in the Sukup Endzone Club at Jack Trice Stadium as part of an ongoing effort to build and improve connections between researchers and farmers. Four presentations were given discussing innovative research being funded by the center, along with more than two dozen posters on display about ISA- and center-funded projects, with researchers on-hand to talk about their projects and answer farmers’ questions. “This is all about strengthening the relationship between ISA and ISU,” said Greg Tylka, center director.
Teaching and Students
CALS Graduate Student Recruitment Weekend a Success
The CALS Graduate Education Advisory Committee held its annual graduate student recruitment weekend Feb. 16-17. More than 40 prospective students participated in a discussion about housing and the Ames community with a local real estate broker, a panel discussion with current graduate students, a dinner with recent graduates to discuss how their studies propelled them in their careers, and a bus tour of the campus and Ames community. The weekend was organized by Ruth MacDonald, interim senior associate dean and assistant dean of graduate programs.
CALS Technology Advancement Committee Call for Proposals
The CALS Technology Advancement Committee is accepting proposals from faculty, staff and students for improving technology that benefits student learning. Contact Gaylan Scofield, TAC chair, for proposal guidelines (ggs@iastate.edu). Proposals are due by 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22.
CALS Graduate Student and Post-Doc Career Planning Workshop, Feb. 28
A CALS Graduate Student and Post-Doc Career Planning Workshop is scheduled for Feb. 28, 5 to 7:30 p.m. in 1414 Molecular Biology Building. Campus resources will be available for professional development, and panelists representing academic positions, industry, entrepreneurs and government will offer best practice ideas. A time for panel discussion and audience questions will follow. RSVP to Carla Persaud (cpersaud@iastate.edu) by Feb. 23. Sandwiches and beverages will be served.
CCUR-BCRF Hosting Poster Competition on Food, Feed and Biorenewables
The Center for Crops Utilization Research and the BioCentury Research Farm are hosting a poster competition for ISU undergraduate and graduate students engaged in food, feed or biorenewables research activities. The competition will be held April 3, 1-3 p.m. in the Food Sciences Building. Abstracts are due March 28.
Iowa Corn Provides Student Support to Attend 2018 CUTC
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board has provided funding for up to 10 students to present their research at the 2018 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference on June 4-6 in St. Louis. Students have the opportunity to receive cash awards in the research poster competition. Students interested in presenting should contact Karla Long, program coordinator with the Center for Crops Utilization Research (kylong@iastate.edu, 4-0160).
CALS Study Abroad Office Awards 2018 Scholarships
The CALS Study Abroad office has awarded scholarships to 134 students studying abroad during the 2018 spring term. These students received a total of $70,550 from scholarships established by 14 different donors; see below. Donors have allowed the CALS Study Abroad office to offer scholarships to offset the costs of international experiences for undergraduate students. More
- Jay and Julie Cornelius Jacobi Scholarship For Agricultural Study Abroad
- Louis M. Thompson Study Abroad Scholarship
- Max and Denise Rothschild Undergraduate Student Foreign Travel Fund
- Jim and Connie Mohn Scholarship
- Simply Manufacturing Study Abroad Agricultural Business Scholarship
- James N. and Cleone B. Warner International Agriculture Development Fund
- Robert H. Maxwell International Service Learning Scholarship Fund
- Jerry Benning Study Abroad Fund
- Wanda Cornelius College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Study Abroad Scholarship Endowment
- CALS Study Abroad Account Scholarship
- Dwight and Marilyn Conover Study Abroad Scholarship
- Behrens Scholarship For Study Abroad
- Study Abroad Scholarship Endowment
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean's Study Abroad Leadership scholars
Extension and Outreach
Workshop Scheduled to Inform Smaller Farmers about Big Data Resources
Big Data for (Sm)all Farmers workshop is scheduled for Feb. 26-27 at the Scheman Center in Ames. The workshop will inform farmers of small- and medium-sized operations about current and future big data research, resources and technologies. Sponsors include CALS, ISU Extension and Outreach and the Leopold Center. More
ISU Leads Harrison County Project to Combat Weeds Resistant to Herbicides
The Iowa Pest Resistance Management Program is a statewide effort to slow the development of pest resistance using a collaborative approach to promote pest resistance practices. Harrison County is home to the new project and the team includes farmer cooperators who will help evaluate and demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of weed resistance management for 2018 and beyond. Evan Sivesind, entomology, is the program manager.
Interactive Crop Scout Training Available Online
ISU Extension and Outreach has published a Field Crop Scouting book as an online learning tool for crop scouts and other agricultural professionals in Iowa. The interactive textbook offers a self-paced, innovative design. A certificate of successful completion is available. More
Around the College
ABE’s Virtual Reality Simulation Allows Iowans to Glimpse New Bridge
Nir Keren, agricultural and biosystems engineering, has led an effort to design a virtual reality simulation of the I-74 Mississippi River Bridge, currently under construction between Davenport and Moline. Keren said the system brings into focus the end result of a multi-year construction project. The simulation allows users to find out what it will be like to drive across the completed bridge, scheduled to be finished in 2021. More
Licht Honored by National Women in Agriculture Organization
The Sigma Alpha National Sorority Board presented Melea Reicks Licht, director of CALS alumni relations, with the 2018 Spirit of Ruth Award during the Alpha Gamma Rho and Sigma Alpha leadership seminar in Kansas City on Feb. 17. The national award recognizes Sigma Alpha alumnae for active involvement, leadership and commitment to the field of agriculture. More
Cultural Competency Lunch and Learn Set for March 6
The CALS Office for Diversity Programs is continuing its cultural competency series on March 6, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in 368A Heady Hall. Pamela Morris, assistant dean and director of the Office of Multicultural Programs and an associate professor in the department of youth development and agricultural education in the College of Agriculture at Purdue University, will present “Privileging the Privileged: How bias, power and privilege impact graduate school funding and admissions.” Please RSVP by noon on March 5. Lunch will be provided.
FundISU: CSRL Seeks Support for New Nutrition Education Center in Uganda
The Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods is seeking support for the start-up of a new Nutrition Education Center to be managed through the ISU-Uganda Program in Kamuli District, Uganda. Contributions on FundISU, the crowdfunding site on the ISU Foundation website, will help purchase construction materials, provide ingredients for a nutrient dense porridge and fund training program supplies. Every dollar contributed will be matched by three donors – so $1 donation will total $4. The goal is $7,500 and the campaign runs through March 30. More
Kimle Testifies in Congress on Ag-Tech Startups
Kevin Kimle, economics and director of the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative, testified before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade last week about how to strengthen Iowa’s ag-tech startup ecosystem. Kimle said expanded and more varied funding, as well as earlier exposure to entrepreneurship in schools, can play key roles in improving rural America. More
ANR Extension Staff Spotlight: Adam Thoms, Turfgrass Specialist
Adam Thoms, horticulture and state turfgrass specialist, is featured in the latest Extension Staff Spotlight. His focus is on helping to make athletic fields in Iowa safer by teaching best maintenance practices. Thoms also coaches and advises a group of ISU students who recently won first place in the Sports Turf Managers Association Turf Bowl.
Calendar
Feb. 27: Retirement Reception for Peggy Best
A retirement reception for Peggy Best, Center for Crops Utilization Research, will be held Feb. 27, 2 to 4 p.m. in the Food Sciences Building atrium. A program will begin at 2:30 p.m. Best has been at ISU for 34 years.
March 8: CALS Spring Awards Program
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Spring Awards Program, honoring faculty and staff achievements, is scheduled for March 8 at 4:10 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. The program will include brief comments from Interim Dean Colletti and recognition of our 2018 CALS faculty and staff award recipients. A wine and cheese reception, including Block & Bridle summer sausage, will follow the program.
Research Development Announcements and Funding Opportunities
Funding Information, Opportunities and Deadline Reminders
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu. Additional information is posted at CALS Pre-Award Resources.
March 5: NIH Improvement of Animal Models for Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine (R01).
March 19 (proposal abstract): DARPA Persistent Aquatic Living Sensors, Proposers Day March 2.
April 8: NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32).
May 16: NASA ROSES 2018: Sustaining Living Systems in a Time of Climate Variability and Change. More
July 26 (Step 1): NASA ROSES 2018: Energy and Water Cycle Study. More
Aug. 1 (Step 1) NASA ROSES 2018: Land Cover Land Use Change. More
Communications Kiosk
Disk vs. Disc
Use “disk” for medical references, such as a slipped disk. Use the “disc” spelling for optical and laser-based devises (Blu-ray Disc, CD, DVD) and for disc brake. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2016 edition, pg. 84)
Infograzing
Introduction to Workday: WorkCyte Workshops Scheduled Feb. 27-28
The Employee Self Service and General Navigation WorkCyte Workshop is offered Feb. 27, 3 to 4:30 p.m. in 1352 Gilman, and Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. to noon in 0198 Library. The workshop provides an introduction to Workday and a base line of information before more complex topics are introduced. Registration is available through the Learn@ISU account.
Land-Grant Universities – Of, By and For the People
Montana State University in Bozeman turns 125 this month. In a recent article, Sarah Vowell, a contributing opinion writer to The New York Times and MSU alum, talks about this land-grant university and the important role it plays in the state, along with notable graduates. More
Marginalia
Reality Show Draws African Youth to Farming
A new reality TV show is the first of its kind in Africa, training young adults from Kenya and neighboring Tanzania in farming and giving them plots to cultivate, with a $10,000 prize for the most productive. “Don’t Lose the Plot” is aimed at inspiring youth in East Africa to pursue agribusiness entrepreneurship. Producers said the show wants to demystify the barriers to starting a small business and challenge the prejudices against farming-related careers, even as many youth flee rural areas for urban ones.
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.
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