College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ONLINE Newsletter

Issue: 1355

Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — August 25, 2025

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 Message
August 25, 2025

Dean鈥檚 Message

Hi CALS, and Welcome to the Semester 鈥?鈥?Last week was full of departmental and college retreats all across the campus. True, too, in CALS. I held two - one with all the department chairs and one with the dean鈥檚 office staff. I also stopped in at a few others to make some remarks, take questions and listen. It was a good week鈥?This week, there are more departmental meetings to help launch the semester, the start of classes and more. Somehow I have no less than 32 meetings on my calendar for this week 鈥?yikes!

Research

INRC to Co-Host Regional Drainage Research Forum
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center is co-hosting the 2025 Tri-State Drainage Research Forum Sept. 9-10 in Brookings, South Dakota. Speakers from around the region will discuss agricultural drainage research projects, drainage permitting, wetland banking and related issues.

Teaching and Students

Undergraduate Researchers to Present pi-Minute Thesis
The 11 students in this year鈥檚 BBMB Summer Undergraduate Research Program will share their takeaways in ~3.14-minute, one-slide talks (pi-minute thesis) on Sept. 4 from 3:40-5:30 p.m. in 1414 Molecular Biology Building. The presentations were developed with the general public and first-year science majors in mind. The event is co-hosted by the Stupka Undergraduate Research Symposium.

New Student BBQ Scheduled for Sept. 5
The CALS Student Council is hosting its annual new student barbecue on Sept. 4 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Iowa Farm Bureau Pavilion in Kildee Hall. Attendees can explore all the student clubs and organizations offered through the college.

New Faces, Same Level of Support in CALS Career Services Office
The CALS Career Services office is staffed and ready to support students as they pursue internship and job opportunities and prepare to attend the CALS Career Day this fall. Long-time CALS Career Services employees Mike Gaul and Lois Benning retired in June. Efforts are underway to hire a new assistant director for the office. In the meantime, a dedicated team has stepped up to lead the office through this transition period.

Extension and Outreach

Corn Diseases Highlighted at Northeast Farm Field Day
The Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm by Nashua will hold its annual fall field day on Friday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Topics will include southern rust, cover crops and manure management. The field day is available to all at no cost. Please RSVP by today, Aug. 25, for a meal count.

Fall Field Day Scheduled at Northern Farm
The Northern Research and Demonstration Farm in Kanawha will host its Fall Field Day on Sept. 4 beginning at 8:30 a.m. The program will feature topics affecting crops this growing season and research being conducted at the farm. The field day is available to all at no cost, but attendees are encouraged to pre-register by Sept. 2 for a meal count.

Windbreak School Offered at Southeast Farm
ISU Extension and Outreach is holding two separate events at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Crawfordsville on Sept. 4. Windbreak School will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by the research farm鈥檚 fall field day beginning at 1:30 p.m. Online pre-registration for the Windbreak School is required by Friday. Aug. 29.

Drone University to Explore the Power of Aerial Technology in Agriculture
ISU Extension and Outreach, in collaboration with the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab, will host Drone University on Sept. 11 at the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Nashua. Designed as an introductory course, the workshop will provide foundational knowledge on the effective use of imagery drones for improved decision-making in crop management. Participants will also gain insight into the emerging role of spray drones in modern agriculture.

Dairy Webinar to Discuss Immigration Enforcement
The ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will continue its monthly webinar series on Sept. 12 from noon to 1 p.m. Kristiana Coutu, director of the Beginning Farmer Center and counsel for the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, will discuss common reasons why federal immigration officials may contact agricultural employers or visit farms.

Around the College

Bioeconomy Institute Names New Leadership
Iowa State鈥檚 Bioeconomy Institute is entering a new era with the appointment of director Lisa Schulte Moore, natural resource ecology and management, who has served as co-director with Robert Brown since 2022, and three associate directors 鈥?Xianglan Bai, mechanical engineering, Mark Mba Wright, mechanical engineering, and Andy VanLoocke, agronomy.

Landowners and Public Asked to Track Monarch Roosting Sites
The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium is asking for help from Iowa landowners to document sites where monarchs roost on their property -- or from community members if they observe roosting monarchs on public lands. Identifying roosting locations provides critical data on migration pathways and helps scientists and conservationists protect and restore key habitats.

Vold Inducted into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame
Lesa Vold, Egg Industry Center, and her husband, Earl, have been inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. They have been volunteers in the Hamilton County 4-H program since 2004, especially within the horse project area.

CALS Online: Next Issue Sept. 8
CALS Online will not be published on Sept. 1. The newsletter will resume Monday, Sept 8.

Calendar

Aug. 27: SoyFest
The Iowa Soybean Research Center is hosting SoyFest on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on central campus near Parks Library and Marston Hall. The event will feature numerous soy-related exhibitors, Iowa State research labs and student clubs highlighting the importance of soy. There will be grilled pork, turkey and soy-veggie burgers, soy-related snacks, robotic and other technological demonstrations, soy-themed prize giveaways, carnival games, soy-based ice cream and a visit by Cy.

Aug. 27: Webinar Features Farm Estate Planning
Mason Burkhart, legal counsel for Iowa State鈥檚 Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, will discuss farm estate and succession planning for the Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at noon.

Aug. 29: CALS Ice Cream Social
CALS faculty and staff are invited to an ice cream social on Aug. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Harl Commons patio behind Curtiss Hall.

Sept. 2: CALS Career Services Meet and Greet
Meet the CALS Career Services interim team on Sept. 2 from 9-11 a.m. in 0015 Curtiss Hall. Coffee, juice and a light breakfast will be provided.

Sept. 4: CALS Harvesting Innovation Open House During EXCITE!
Stop by the CALS Harvesting Innovation booths during the Student Innovation Center EXCITE! Open House Sept. 4 from 2-6 p.m. in the CALS Collaboration Labs, SICTR 4227 and 4229. Visit the Pathways Program, Start Something CALS, the AI Institute Innovation Project, Wildlife Wonders and Culinary Bootcamp, and sample some fresh pressed grape juice from the ISU Winery.

Sept. 5: CALS Staff Council Tailgate
The CALS Staff Council is hosting a tailgate on Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon outside of Harl Commons, Curtiss Hall. Attendees are encouraged to wear Cyclone gear while enjoying snacks, cornhole and a chance to win a tailgate basket.

More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.

Communications Kiosk

Using Quotations Marks with Unfamiliar Terms
A word or words being introduced to readers may be placed in quotation marks on first reference. (Broadcast frequencies are measured in 鈥渒ilohertz.鈥?lt;/em>) Do not put subsequent references to kilohertz in quotation marks. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2024-2026 edition, pg. 403)

Infograzing

Students Encouraged to Attend WelcomeFest
WelcomeFest is Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Durham Great Hall. It attracts thousands of students and more than 100 businesses and departments. The event gives vendors the opportunity to welcome students to the community and promote their products, services and employment opportunities.

Grow and Give Program Donates Fresh Produce
This summer, Reiman Gardens鈥?Grow & Give program has seen hundreds of hours of hands-on work fighting food insecurity in the community. Partners and volunteers have turned garden beds into baskets of fresh produce for local families. The 2025 season isn鈥檛 over yet, but the program has already donated 10,258 pounds of produce to 13 local food pantries.

Family-Owned Farms Account for 95% of U.S. Farms
Family farms comprise 95% of all U.S. farms, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report released Aug. 19 by USDA鈥檚 National Agricultural Statistics Service. The farm typology report primarily focuses on the 鈥渇amily farm,鈥?defined as any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the producer and individuals related to the producer. The report classifies all farms into unique categories based on two criteria: who owns the operation and gross cash farm income.

Marginalia

Pillars Tell the Story of Iowa鈥檚 Topsoil Loss Over Time
As a pioneer in agriculture, both here in Iowa and the national arena, Henry Wallace鈥檚 vision for Iowa is depicted in many parts of the Iowa Department of Transportation鈥檚 rest area on Interstate 80 eastbound in Adair County (milepost 81). Outside, pillars constructed to look like soil core samples give visitors a glimpse of the loss of Iowa prairie and topsoil over time (from 1850 to today). The information on each pillar includes the strata of each soil type and documentation to take the traveler on a journey through time periods of differing tillage methods and their effects on topsoil levels.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online

Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
/cals-online

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 Thursday.

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University Nondiscrimination Statement

Issue: 1354

Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — August 18, 2025

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 Message
August 18, 2025
Dean鈥檚 Message
Hello CALS 鈥?Classes are about to start, and the football season, too. The rains and the heat continue, the crops look good, and you be the judge on prices (see below鈥? The past 11 days have brought us the great Iowa State Fair 鈥?by all accounts, the best show in any town! See pictures below鈥?This week, there are a host of departmental and college retreats, and I wish you all a final great last week of our academic summer! 鈥?Dan
Top Stories
From the Back Yard to the Back Forty, Simple Steps for Helping Wildlife
ISU Extension and Outreach has published its 鈥? Things for Wildlife鈥?series, offering readers practical ideas for supporting wildlife through land management actions. According to Adam Janke, publication author and natural resource ecology and management wildlife extension specialist, creating habitat, ensuring biodiversity, maintaining connectivity and collaborating with local experts are critical factors needed for wildlife. In addition to the primary resource, the series features tips for benefiting wildlife across various landscapes:
4 Things for Wildlife on Every Farm
4 Things for Wildlife in Every Yard
4 Things for Wildlife in Every Forest
4 Things for Wildlife in Every Pasture
4 Things for Wildlife Everywhere
Research
BioCentury Research Farm Site of New Fermentation Facility
A new bioindustrial manufacturing scale-up facility will help advance innovative biobased solutions and products from the lab to commercialization. BioMADE, a U.S. Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is partnering with the ISU Research Park and Iowa State University on this collaborative initiative to install a multi-use fermentation facility at the BioCentury Research Farm.
Cracking the Case on Sunflower Head Rot
The Seed Science Center is part of a global collaboration to address the persistent and destructive threat of sunflower head rot. Charles Block, seed health testing coordinator at the Seed Science Center, is a co-author on a series of recently published diagnostic guides detailing the biology, epidemiology and management of the major sunflower head rot diseases.
Education Has Causal Effects on Marriage
Marriage rates have now reached historic lows in the United States, especially among young people. At the same time, college education levels have increased considerably. Are these trends related? New research from John Winters, economics, has identified a causal link between education and marriage 鈥?but it's a nuanced one.
Teaching and Students
Students Gain Feed Safety Knowledge at the Feed Mill
Students in TSM 4570: Feed Safety, Ingredient Quality and Analytics have the unique opportunity to put on the hard hats of feed technicians and experience the ins and outs of commercial feed production at the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex. Gretchen Mosher, agricultural and biosystems engineering and instructor of TSM 4570, said the class offers students the chance to put their textbook skills to the test.
Extension and Outreach
Organic Field Day Set for Aug 26
Iowa State鈥檚 Organic Ag Program is holding a field day on Aug. 26 from 4-6 p.m. at the Neely-Kinyon Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm near Greenfield. Researchers from Iowa State and USDA鈥檚 Agricultural Research Service will discuss fertilization, weed management and the use of different crop rotations in organic systems. The field day will include a light meal featuring local and organic foods.
Corn Diseases to be Highlighted at Nashua Field Day
The annual fall field day at Iowa State鈥檚 Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm in Nashua is Aug. 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Borlaug Learning Center. Ethan Thies, extension conservation field specialist, will present on cover crops, including implementation, species selection and best management practices. Dan Anderson, extension agriculture engineering specialist, will share insights on the differences between fall vs. spring manure application, along with best management practices for nutrient use. Alison Robertson, extension field crops pathologist, will discuss managing southern rust and other corn diseases of concern for the 2025 growing season.
Barn of Tomorrow Webinar Series Scheduled for September
The ISU Extension and Outreach agriculture and biosystems engineering team will hold the "Barn of Tomorrow" webinar series in September. The five-week series will explore cutting-edge advancements in livestock housing, precision technologies and strategies to enhance efficiency, sustainability and animal welfare. The series begins Sept. 2 and will occur every Tuesday at noon. Each webinar is available at no cost, but online registration is required.
Around the College
CALS Opens Search for Assistant Director of Career Services
CALS is seeking an assistant director of Career Services to lead a dynamic, student-focused office that connects students and alums with employers in agriculture, natural resources and life sciences. The role provides strategic leadership for career development programs, fosters strong employer partnerships, and delivers high-quality advising and professional development opportunities for students from recruitment through graduation and beyond. The application deadline is Sunday, Aug. 24.
Anderson Receives Supplementary Materials Award
Amber Anderson, agronomy, received a 2025 Iowa Open Educational Resources Supplementary Materials Award. She was honored for developing additional learning materials targeting high school soil judging. As the state contest organizer, she wanted to provide additional interactive and high-quality materials to help high schoolers and their instructors better understand soil features. She has also written an introductory soil science textbook for her course, AGRON 1820, and collaborates with other faculty in agronomy to curate and develop original OER.
Press Check? Done 鈥?STORIES Magazine is at the Printer
STORIES, the college-wide alum magazine, is at the printer and will be arriving in mailboxes by the end of the month. While readers will notice much of the same content they鈥檝e come to love, some fun, new additions have been added. Follow #CALSstories on social media for the latest updates and opt-in to receive the print or digital version of the magazine.
Calendar
Aug. 21: Registration Deadline for Egg Industry Forum
Thursday, Aug. 21, is the deadline to register for this year's Egg Industry Issues Forum, co-hosted by the Egg Industry Center and Hy-Line North America. The 2025 Egg Forum is co-located with the Ohio Poultry Association's Industry Celebration in Westerville, Ohio, running from Sept. 10-12.
Aug. 27: SoyFest
The Iowa Soybean Research Center is hosting SoyFest on Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on central campus near Parks Library and Marston Hall. The event will feature numerous soy-related exhibitors, Iowa State research labs and student clubs highlighting the importance of soy and its many uses in everyday life from food to new and innovative products. SoyFest will feature grilled pork, turkey and soy-veggie burgers, soy-related snacks, robotic and other technological demonstrations, soy-themed prize giveaways, carnival games, soy-based ice cream and a visit by Cy.
Aug. 29: CALS Ice Cream Social
CALS faculty and staff are invited to an ice cream social on Aug. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Harl Commons patio behind Curtiss Hall.
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Communications Kiosk
Back to School for Academic Degrees
If mention of degrees is necessary to establish someone鈥檚 credentials, the preferred form is to avoid an abbreviation and use instead a phrase such as: Fatima Kader, who has a doctorate in psychology. Use an apostrophe in bachelor鈥檚 degree, a master鈥檚, etc., but there is no possessive in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science. Use such abbreviations as B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. only when the need to identify many individuals by degree on first reference would make the preferred form cumbersome. Use these abbreviations only after a full name 鈥?never after just a last name. When used after a name, an academic abbreviation is set off by commas: John Snow, Ph.D., spoke. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2024-2026 edition, pg. 2)
Infograzing
Innovation Lunch Club Meets Aug. 22
The August edition of the Innovation Impact Lunch Club will feature several "superstar" ag startup tenants in the ISU Research Park. The club will meet on Friday, Aug. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (lunch at 11:15 a.m.) in the board room at the ISU Economic Development Core Facility in the research park. RSVP to mndooley@iastate.edu.
Encourage Students to Attend Cyclone Welcome Weekend
Year four of Cyclone Welcome Weekend is Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23. On Saturday there will be a G.O.A.T. Breakfast outside of Hilton Coliseum from 7:30-10:30 a.m. and an Aer Lingus College Football Classic Student-Only Game Watch in Hilton Coliseum with kickoff at 11 a.m. Faculty and staff can volunteer to help with the event. Sign up is available online.
Learn about Titans of Iowa State during Art Walk
Throughout Iowa State鈥檚 history, several figures have stood tall in their research, leadership and achievements to the university. Explore the art that honors their legacies on Aug. 27 from noon to 1 p.m., beginning at the north courtyard of Carver Hall.
Graduate School Application Workshops Scheduled for September
The Honors Program, Graduate College and Academic Success Center are offering a series of four workshops in September for students who are considering or actively applying to graduate programs. The workshops will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the Student Innovation Center and focus on What is Graduate School? (Sept. 9), Building your CV or Resume (Sept. 16), Demystifying the Statement of Purpose (Sept. 23) and Navigating the Interview and Campus Visit (Sept. 30). Students are asked to register for the workshops so organizers can plan for space and snacks.
Marginalia
How to Drink Ice Water
Nothing beats an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day, but during the 19th century, ice was a rare luxury. In an Aug. 11 blog post on Fishwrap, the official blog of Newspapers.com, Jenny Ashcraft talks about the ice trade that transformed that luxury into a booming global industry. As ice became increasingly popular, Americans were introduced to new foods and drinks that were not previously available. An 1870 newspaper clipping gave instructions on how to drink ice water. "...The warmer and more thirsty the drinker, the slower he should drink. The swallows should be taken at sufficient intervals to allow the stomach to gradually accommodate itself to the great change of temperature."
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
/cals-online
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 Thursday.
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University Nondiscrimination Statement

Issue: 1353

Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — August 11, 2025

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 Message
August 11, 2025
Dean鈥檚 Message
Hello CALS 鈥?Almost back to the academic year. The Iowa State Fair is in full swing. Final vacation sprints are underway. Football is in the air, including Iowa State in Ireland! And next week, students will begin moving in to campus residence halls and apartments鈥?Last fall, our incoming freshmen and transfer class was up by an amazing 14%. This fall, we anticipate sustaining that level of incoming students. That's a great thing. It's still too early to say what our graduate student numbers will look like鈥?lt;/p>
Top Stories
Pairing Genomics and Weather Data for Crop Predictions
Research led by Jianming Yu, agronomy, aims to give a significant boost to agricultural predictions with modeling tools that would benefit both breeders and farmers. In a recent study, Yu鈥檚 team built a model to predict the flowering time and height of sorghum plants based on genomic analysis and early-season weather data. In blind tests of sorghum fields that weren鈥檛 included in the modeling data, Yu and his colleagues predicted flowering time with up to 74% accuracy and plant height up to 96%. (Photo by Jianming Yu, Iowa State University)
Teaching and Students
Animal Science Student Receives Pork Foundation Fellowship
Jayden Lawrence, a doctoral student in animal science, has been selected to receive one of two 2025 Nelda Christian Iowa Pork Foundation Graduate Fellowships, along with Morgan Almeida (鈥?2 animal science), a current Iowa State veterinary medicine student. Lawrence鈥檚 primary focus is studying key stakeholder perceptions of swine welfare in the U.S., working with Anna Johnson, animal science.
Yeungnam University Students Visit Iowa State
The CALS Office for Global Engagement recently hosted 16 students and two professors from Yeungnam University in Daegu, South Korea. The students participated in the study abroad program, "Agriculture and Natural Resources of the U.S. Midwest-Study Abroad Program at Iowa State University."
Extension and Outreach
Get the Inside Scoop with Ms. Scoop at the Iowa State Fair
Stop by and meet Ms. Scoop鈥擨SU Extension and Outreach鈥檚 one-of-a-kind cement cow鈥攐n display at the Iowa State Fair. She鈥檚 there to celebrate The ANR Scoop, a bimonthly newsletter bringing Iowans timely updates and practical resources from extension experts. Find her near the John Deere Agriculture Building.
Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day Comes to Iowa
The Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day will be held at Iowa State's Horticulture Research Station on Aug. 20. Managing weeds can be a major challenge for both conventional and organic farmers, and cultivation can be an important tool for combating weeds. This field day offers a chance to observe weeding tools of various sizes demonstrated in the field.
Economist Reports on Foreign Interest and Land Leases in Iowa Farmland
Rabail Chandio, economics, has authored an article titled, 鈥淔oreign-held farmland in the United States and Iowa: scale, use and ownership trends.鈥?It provides timely updates not only on foreign interest, but also on ownership and lease agreements across Iowa and the U.S.
Around the College
Watch for Unprecedented Levels of West Nile Virus
Mosquito surveillance efforts across Iowa show unprecedented levels of West Nile virus in mosquitoes. Ryan Smith, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, oversees mosquito and tick surveillance in the state in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. He said these high levels are a serious concern for the remainder of August and September, which are typically the months when WNV transmission risks are at their highest. Smith encourages everyone to be extra vigilant when spending time outdoors, especially in the evenings. He recommends insect repellents that contain DEET, and to make sure to dump any standing water that might be found around the home to reduce sites for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
Farm Progress Show 2026 Call for Proposals
Potential content ideas are being sought for the Iowa State exhibit space at the 2026 Farm Progress Show. Together, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and the Department of Agronomy would like to showcase innovative technologies and demonstrate the latest research to show attendees. They are looking for the best ideas to occupy the tent and the outdoor exhibit space. To submit a proposal for consideration, fill out this form by Sept. 12 at 11:59 p.m. Co-leaders Jay Harmon and Kendall Lamkey will review all submissions and make final content area decisions in October.
Beef Breakdown: Enjoying Value Cuts and Saving Big
Terry Houser and Jake Manternach, animal science, will present a live beef fabrication demonstration on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. in The Kitchen at the Maytag Family Theater on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The free demonstration, presented by the ISU Meat Lab and the Iowa Beef Council, will take attendees beyond the grocery store and into the world of beef butchery. The event will conclude with beefy giveaways and recipe inspiration.
Calendar
Aug. 13: Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinar
Madelynn Wuestenberg, agricultural climatology extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will present the Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at noon. In 鈥淐limate Tools for Ag Decision-Making,鈥?she will highlight ways in which climate tools and products can be used to provide on-demand information to producers.
Aug. 29: CALS Ice Cream Social
CALS faculty and staff are invited to an ice cream social on Aug. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Harl Commons patio behind Curtiss Hall.
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Communications Kiosk
Consequent vs. Subsequent
Consequent denotes causation; subsequent does not. A consequent event always happens after the event that caused it, as does a subsequent event. But a subsequent event does not necessarily occur as a result of the first: it could be wholly unrelated but merely later in time. (The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, pg. 321)
Infograzing
Open House Highlights Student Health/Wellness Services
Departments in Iowa State's student health and wellness unit 鈥?Student Counseling Services, Student Wellness, Thielen Student Health Center and the SHOP food pantry 鈥?are part of a four-facility open house on Aug. 19 from 1-4 p.m. Meet the staff, pick up resources for use this academic year, join a short tour and enjoy refreshments.
Volunteers Sought for Welcome Weekend Events
More than 200 volunteers are needed to assist with several Destination Iowa State (for new students) and Welcome Weekend (for all students) events during back-to-school weekend, Aug. 21-23. Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and food and beverages during their shift(s). Sign up is available online.
Center of ExCYtement dinner, Thursday evening
Cookout, Friday evening
G.O.A.T. breakfast, Saturday morning
Volleyball exhibition, Saturday morning
Football game watch, Saturday morning/afternoon
Graduate School Application Workshops Scheduled for September
The Honors Program, Graduate College and Academic Success Center are offering a series of four workshops in September for students who are considering or actively applying to graduate programs. The workshops will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the Student Innovation Center and focus on What is Graduate School? (Sept. 9), Building your CV or Resume (Sept. 16), Demystifying the Statement of Purpose (Sept. 23) and Navigating the Interview and Campus Visit (Sept. 30). Students are asked to register for the workshops so organizers can plan for space and snacks.
Marginalia
Curtiss Accompanies Ms. Scoop to the Iowa State Fair
Curtiss took a field trip last week to drop his new friend off at the Iowa State Fair (can you spot him?). He had to come back to campus, but you can still find Ms. Scoop at the Fair near the John Deere Agriculture Building. Ms. Scoop is celebrating The ANR Scoop, a bimonthly newsletter from ISU Extension bringing timely updates and practical resources from extension experts.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
/cals-online
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 Thursday.
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University Nondiscrimination Statement

Issue: 1352

Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — August 4, 2025

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 Message
August 4, 2025
Dean鈥檚 Message
Hello CALS 鈥?As you may have noted in my agricultural photo on Monday last week, and will see in the agricultural photos below, I have been vacationing in the Czech Republic. As part of the trip, we have been finding the places that my wife鈥檚 family emigrated from to get to Howard and Winneshiek counties in northeast Iowa in 1877鈥?We even met a fourth/fifth cousin who had been wondering what happened to the family that left, just as we had been wondering where we came from! I hope you, too, are having a great and safe summer, including work, travel and fun鈥?
Top Stories
CALS and the Iowa State Fair 鈥?Aug. 7-17
Iowa State鈥檚 2025 State Fair exhibit is a celebration of innovation, community and Cyclone pride. Themed 鈥淵our Iowa. Your State. Your University,鈥?visitors will experience Iowa State鈥檚 impact in Iowa and beyond. The exhibit in the Varied Industries Building is open to fairgoers from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, Aug. 7-17. Listed below are activities at the fair involving CALS faculty, staff and students.

State Fair: Weed Identification Contest 鈥?Aug. 8
The annual ISU Extension and Outreach Weed Identification Contest is Friday, Aug. 8, from 9-11:30 a.m. in front of the John Deere Agriculture Building. Contestants need to know commonly accepted names of weeds, but do not need to know scientific names. There are three divisions: future agronomists (youth under age 19), general and professional.
State Fair: Skillathons 鈥?Aug. 10, Aug. 13
Amy Powell, extension program specialist in animal science, is working with three skillathon events at the Iowa State Fair 鈥?swine, sheep and goat. The skillathon is a series of five stations where 4-H youth work in teams to solve a challenge related to genetics, welfare, meat science, handling and other animal husbandry topics within their species. The swine skillathon is Sunday, Aug. 10, at 9 a.m. in the Swine Barn, and the sheep skillathon is at 1 p.m. in the Sheep Barn. The goat skillathon is Aug. 13 at 12:30 p.m. in the Swine Barn.
State Fair: Iowa State Collaboration Caps Off Historic Farm Exhibit
A team of faculty, staff and students in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering came together to construct a historical silo that will be part of an exhibit in the Agriculture Building during the Iowa State Fair. The full exhibit includes a model barn, Aermotor windmill and two silos.
State Fair: 鈥淚 Milked a Cow鈥?lt;/strong>
The Dairy Science Club is hosting 鈥淚 Milked a Cow鈥?from 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. in the John and Emily Putney Family Cattle Barn, daily from Aug. 7-17. In addition to hand-milking a cow, activities will include a prize wheel and information on dairy cows, milk production and dairy products.
Research
VanLoocke Looks at Benefits of Incorporating Miscanthus
While many farmers express interest in growing alternative crops that could be profitable and improve environmental quality, there are strong incentives for growing conventional row crops. Exploring the potential of other options that could outweigh the risks is a professional quest for Andy VanLoocke, agronomy. His research shows that incorporating miscanthus, a perennial biomass crop, on less productive farm ground can offer multiple benefits: increased farm income, improved water quality and better soil health.
Extension and Outreach
Food Safety Webinar Scheduled for Food Entrepreneurs
The Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team with ISU Extension and Outreach will offer a food safety webinar from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 12. 鈥淪afe Food, Smart Business: Understanding the Basics and the Consequences,鈥?led by Hannah Hansen, food safety extension specialist, will provide insights to help food entrepreneurs navigate food safety challenges with practical, accessible solutions.
Training Event Offers In-Depth Look at Drone Spraying in Agriculture
The Iowa State Digital Ag Innovation Lab and Terraplex are co-hosting a new educational event offering research-backed insights on drone spraying use in agriculture. 鈥淒rone Spraying Essentials: From Basics to Application鈥?is Sept. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Digital Ag Innovation Lab in Ames. The cost to attend is $225, which includes lunch and educational materials. Online pre-registration is required by Aug. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Space is limited to 100 attendees.
Dr. Manure Releases Two New Quarterly Newsletters
Dr. Manure (Dan Andersen with agricultural and biosystems engineering and the Iowa Manure Management Action Group), has released two new quarterly newsletters. From Pit to Power explores the value chain of anaerobic digestion in agriculture. Sign-up is available online. Ag Systems Update highlights current topics and the latest research related to agricultural and biosystems engineering. Sign-up is available online.
Landowner Education Program Graduates 17
Seventeen Iowans graduated from the second cohort of the Landowner Education Program in July. Organized by ISU Extension and Outreach, the program features five in-person and two virtual educational events to help landowners improve the environmental and economic resiliency of their land through soil health practices.
Around the College
Janke Named Leopold Center Associate Director
Adam Janke, natural resource ecology and management and the state wildlife specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach, joined the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture as associate director. His research and extension programs at Iowa State focus on helping Iowa landowners conserve wildlife on working lands, with a specific eye to managing farm margins for birds. Janke finds inspiration from a lesser-known quote by Aldo Leopold: 鈥淭here are two things that interest me. The relation of people to each other, and the relation of people to the land.鈥?lt;/p>
Steil Honored for Garden Communications
Aaron Steil, horticulture, received two Gold Laurel Medals of Achievement, presented by GardenComm: Garden Communicators International. One medal was in the writing category for the 2025 ISU Extension and Outreach Garden Calendar - Perennial Beauty. The calendar was authored by Steil and Cindy Haynes and put together by the staff in Agriculture and Natural Resources communications. The second medal was in the speaking and broadcast category, television series for "Gardening with Steil." The television program was also a project with Steil and Haynes with Iowa PBS producing the show.

Datta Contributes to National Oncology Nutrition Standards
Mridul Datta, food science and human nutrition, was a coauthor of the Revised 2025 Scope and Standards of Practice for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Oncology Nutrition. Published by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the Scope and Standards are available for general dietetics as well as specialized areas such as oncology, pediatric nutrition, sports and human performance nutrition, public health, community nutrition and more.
Youngs Appointed to ISAAA AfriCenter Board of Directors
Curt Youngs, animal science, has been appointed to serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors for International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications AfriCenter. As a not-for-profit international organization whose vision is to see Africa become a food secure continent free of hunger and poverty, its mission is to share knowledge on agricultural biotechnology and biosafety through strategic communications and outreach for informed policy and choice.
Seed Science Center Launches 鈥淕ermiNation鈥?Podcast
The Seed Science Center has launched a new podcast, GermiNation, to spotlight the people, research and innovations that drive the global seed industry forward. From breakthroughs in seed technology to the voices of students shaping the future of agriculture, the podcast offers listeners an inside look at the science and stories behind one of the world鈥檚 most essential resources: seeds. The premiere episode features Scott Heuchelin, the newly appointed director of the Seed Science Center.
Leopold Center Releases 2024 Annual Report
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has released its 2024 annual report. It begins with messages from Stephen Dinsmore, interim director, and Adam Janke, the new associate director. The Center continues to provide support for many activities related to sustainable agriculture, and the report鈥檚 news briefs and research summaries highlight these activities.
Calendar
Aug. 29: CALS Ice Cream Social
CALS faculty and staff are invited to an ice cream social on Aug. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Harl Commons patio behind Curtiss Hall.
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Infograzing
Registration Open for Norman Borlaug Dialogue
Registration is open for the World Food Prize Foundation鈥檚 annual Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, scheduled for Oct. 21-23 in Des Moines. This year鈥檚 theme, SOILutions for Security, underscores the foundational role that agriculture plays in sustaining global stability. As the world鈥檚 population rises and new challenges strain food systems, a global consensus is taking root: soil is more than dirt鈥攊t is a dynamic, living system that underpins human survival. In an era of economic disruption, conflict and environmental stress, the Borlaug Dialogue will examine how diverse industries and sectors can unite to address these challenges from the ground up.
Marginalia
Iowa State Fair Top Three New Foods Announced
Below are the top three new food finalists for the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Fair attendees can vote for their favorite Aug. 7-13 on the official Iowa State Fair App or website (iowastatefair.org).
The Scotcheroo Shake - Over The Top
Three Little Pigs 鈥?amp;nbsp;Whatcha Smokin? BBQ
Bacon Chicken Ranch Eggroll 鈥?amp;nbsp;Winn & Sara鈥檚 Kitchen
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
/cals-online
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 Thursday.
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Issue: 1351

Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — July 28, 2025

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 Message
July 28, 2025
Dean鈥檚 Message
Good Morning Colleagues 鈥?I hope you had a good weekend. Last week, we had a terrific visit from Yong-Sun Moon of Yeungnam University in South Korea, along with 16 students. She is the dean of their College of Life and Applied Sciences, with which we have a dual degree MOA, and a long history of reciprocal visits. If you know of an Iowa State student who might be interested in spending a semester at Yeungnam University (instruction in English), please let me know, as we'd like to ramp up a reciprocal semester exchange program, as well鈥?amp;nbsp;
Top Stories
Iowa State Scientists Usher in Cyber-Agriculture Future
Cyber-agricultural systems draw from mathematics, engineering and computer science, building on cyber-physical systems that have revolutionized industries like manufacturing, aerospace engineering and transportation. 鈥淚owa State has been at the forefront of creating a new discipline, cyber-agricultural systems, which brings together many areas of expertise to address big agricultural problems and create opportunities for smart, connected and response- agile farms,鈥?said Asheesh 鈥淒anny鈥?Singh (left), agronomy and CALS associate dean for research and discovery. Singh and Soumik Sarkar, mechanical engineering, recently reviewed the new field they helped launch for the journal, Trends in Plant Sciences. With co-authors from around campus and the country, they describe how CAS are complementary yet distinct from precision and smart ag.
Research
Summer Research Program Brings ISU Science to K-12 Classrooms
A summer training program at Iowa State embeds K-12 educators and education students in research projects, an intense immersion in innovative science designed to help teachers enhance STEM instruction in their own classrooms. The initiative is largely funded by individual federal research projects and grants from the federal Research Experience for Teachers and Research Experience for Undergraduates programs.
Department Hosts Conference on Predictive Inference in Sports
The Department of Statistics hosted the Conference on Predictive Inference in Sports on June 4-5 at the ISU Alumni Center. The two-day event featured 15 invited speakers representing a wide range of academic, professional and industry perspectives. Presenters showcased work on predictive inference, data science and sports analytics. Topics included Olympic medal projections, Bayesian models for athlete aging, and strategies for communicating statistical work to non-technical audiences.
Teaching and Students
Animal Science Students Excel at Reciprocal Meat Conference
At the Reciprocal Meat Conference in Columbus, Ohio, on June 22-25, master鈥檚 student Mackenzie Griffin was chosen to receive the inaugural Patrick Fleming Award for Pork Research. Also, eight students participated in two teams in the Intercollegiate Undergraduate Quiz Bowl competition. Rodrigo Tarte, animal science, is the faculty member in charge of the Quiz Bowl teams.
Extension and Outreach
Managing Weather-Related Problems in the Vegetable Garden
Not all problems in the vegetable garden are caused by insect pests or diseases. Hot temperatures and heavy or inconsistent rainfall can lead to deformed fruit and low yields. ISU Extension and Outreach horticulture specialists discuss common weather-related issues in the vegetable garden and offer tips for managing them.
Around the College
Wertz-Lutz Named Director of Iowa Beef Center
Aimee Wertz-Lutz has joined the college as director of the Iowa Beef Center and extension feedlot specialist, effective July 1. The beef industry has more information at its disposal than ever before, said Wertz-Lutz, and the greatest value the Iowa Beef Center can have is to translate this information into tools that can advance beef production and address the challenges faced by the industry.
Liu Named Director of Baker Center for Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics
Peng Liu, statistics, has been named director of the Laurence H. Baker Center for Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics. Housed within the Plant Sciences Institute, the Baker Center is a research, training and service hub that develops statistical tools to support biological research.
Rodriguez Named Reviewer of the Year by JAC
Lulu Rodriguez, global programs leader with the Seed Science Center, was named Reviewer of the Year by the Journal of Applied Communications, the scholarly publication of the Association for Communication Excellence. The award was presented during the ACE Annual Conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Keating Elected to SSR Board of Directors
Aileen Keating, animal science, has been elected vice president elect of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. Board members will begin their term on Aug. 1.
Lonergan, Wenger Begin AMSA Leadership Roles
At the Reciprocal Meat Conference in Columbus, Ohio, on June 22-25, Steven Lonergan began his term as president-elect of the American Meat Science Association. Matt Wenger started his second year of a three-year term on the AMSA Board of Directors.
Calendar
July 30: Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinar
Derek Franklin, postdoctoral research associate in sociology, will present 鈥淢ore Than a Practice: Sense of Place and Stewardship Among Prairie Strip Adopters鈥?for the Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, July 30, at noon. As a social scientist, Franklin talks with farmers to better understand their real-world perspectives and incorporates what he learns into research and policy conversations, making sure proposed changes reflect the needs and realities of the people on the ground.
July 30: Strip-Till Field Day at the Southeast Farm
ISU Extension and Outreach is hosting a strip-till field day at the ISU Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm in Crawfordsville on Wednesday, July 30. The event will feature two identical field demonstrations in the morning and afternoon. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. During lunch, Levi Powell with the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab will share a presentation on 鈥淏eing Successful with Strip-Till.鈥?lt;br>
Aug. 5: Fruit and Vegetable Field Day
The horticulture team with ISU Extension and Outreach will hold the 2025 Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on Aug. 5, from 2-5:30 p.m. at the Horticulture Research Station. The annual event will feature various research and demonstration projects on fruit and vegetable production for commercial growers, extension personnel, nonprofit organizations and Iowa Master Gardeners.
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Marginalia
Keep Your Pets Cool During the Dog Days of Summer
The 鈥渄og days of summer鈥?is a phrase used to describe the hot and humid days of summer. It can be traced back thousands of years to the days of the Roman Empire. It refers to the dates from July 3 through Aug. 11, which are 20 days prior and 20 days after the star Sirius rises and falls in conjunction with the sun. Sirius was known as the 鈥淒og Star,鈥?because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). The dangerous heat and humidity of these "dog days" can be harmful to not only humans, but humans鈥?best friend and other animals.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
/cals-online
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 Thursday.
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University Nondiscrimination Statement

Issue: 1350

Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — July 21, 2025

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 Message
July 21, 2025
Dean鈥檚 Message
Hello CALS and Happy Monday 鈥?Last week, we welcomed our new chair for the department of agronomy, Glen Richie, coming to us from Texas Tech University, where he held a similar position. We also welcomed a new director for the Seed Science Center, Scott Heuchelin, coming to us from Corteva, where, most recently, he was the global lead for seed health. We are so pleased to have them on board! Check out this editorial in Sunday鈥檚 paper by CALS faculty Mike Castellano (Agronomy) and Matt Helmers (ABE) about agriculture and water quality in Iowa鈥?amp;nbsp;
Top Stories
Researchers Working to Support Wine Industry in Iowa
A 2024 report on the Economic Impact of the Wine Industry in Iowa estimated that Iowa wine and winery-related tourism represented a value of $374 million in 2022, with a workforce of more than 1,590. Iowa State researchers Suzanne Slack (left), horticulture, and Aude Watrelot, food science and human nutrition, are working with colleagues at several north-central universities to nurture the steadily growing wine industry for the region. They are taking a variety of approaches that include investigating the best trellising systems for cold-hardy grapes and testing the potential of new cultivars to make wines that appeal to changing consumer preferences.
Annual Iowa Native Wine Production and Sales Report Released
The 2024 Iowa Native Wine Production and Sales Report, prepared annually by the Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team at ISU Extension and Outreach, was recently released. The report presents analysis regarding the current state of the Iowa wine, cider and mead industries. The data used in the report is from the Iowa Department of Revenue-Alcohol and Tax Compliance Division and is reported by WAN license holders (Iowa native wine manufacturers).
Research
Iowa State Grows External Funding
Iowa State grew total external funding for fiscal year 2025 to $549.3 million, an increase of $4.7 million over the previous fiscal year. The research support over fiscal year 鈥?5 included record funding from three federal agencies: the Department of Energy for university projects and the Ames National Laboratory ($125.2 million), the National Science Foundation ($45.3 million), and the Department of Transportation ($10.1 million).
External Research Funding Tops $300 Million for Third Straight Year
The 2025 fiscal year, that closed June 30, was quite atypical for Iowa State researchers. Collectively, they experienced the exhilarating highs of new major awards to support their research and discovery, as well as the feelings of anxiety brought about by a changing federal funding landscape with rapidly evolving priorities. Despite this uncertainty, Iowa State topped $300 million in external research funding for the third consecutive year. Samuel Mindes, rural sociology and extension and outreach, is a team member on a new project that received FY25 funding.
Dorhout: Research Impact Not Measured by Dollar Amount of Award
Peter Dorhout, Iowa State vice president for research, emphasizes that the impact of a new research project isn鈥檛 measured by the dollar amount of its award. 鈥淎ny project 鈥?large or small 鈥?can deliver an outsized impact if it reflects the Iowa State research vision of fostering human creativity, fueling innovation and forging new frontiers that enable our communities, partners and stakeholders to flourish.鈥?lt;/p>
Teaching and Students
ISRC Releases Call for Posters for Research Day, Sept. 8
The Iowa Soybean Research Center is holding a Research Day for its industry partners, farmer representatives, faculty affiliates and others on Sept. 8 from 2:30-7 p.m. at Reiman Gardens. Graduate students, post-docs and research staff that would like to present a research poster are asked to fill out a Microsoft Form by Aug. 8. Soybean is the preferred topic, however, other crops are welcome. Submission topics can include soil health, herbicide resistant weeds, crop pests and disease, and production crops. The number of posters will be limited to 20.
What is the Impact of CALS Study Abroad?
The last study abroad programs of the 2024-2025 academic year will be concluding soon as students return to the U.S. from summer programs in Greece, Uganda and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As the year wraps up, the CALS Office for Global Engagement analyzed the impact of study abroad and study USA programs on students, faculty, staff and departments.
Extension and Outreach
Strip-Till Field Day at the Southeast Farm is July 30
ISU Extension and Outreach is hosting a strip-till field day at the ISU Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm in Crawfordsville on July 30. The event will feature two identical field demonstrations in the morning and afternoon. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. During lunch, Levi Powell with the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab, will share a presentation on 鈥淏eing Successful with Strip-Till.鈥?lt;/p>
Webinars to Examine Impact of Excessive Heat on People, Produce
ISU Extension and Outreach鈥檚 Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team is holding two webinars in August that will explore the role of intense heat on farmers and growers, as well as their crops.
Fruit and Vegetable Field Day is Aug. 5
The horticulture team with ISU Extension and Outreach will hold the 2025 Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on Aug. 5, from 2-5:30 p.m. at the Horticulture Research Station. The annual event will feature various research and demonstration projects on fruit and vegetable production for commercial growers, extension personnel, nonprofit organizations and Iowa Master Gardeners.
Licht on Exploring Alternatives to Cereal Rye Ahead of Corn
In a July 16 post for the Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Learning Group, Mark Licht, agronomy and extension cropping systems specialist, explores alternatives to cereal rye ahead of corn. 鈥淐ereal rye has long been the go-to cover crop for Iowa farmers due to its excellent winter hardiness, high biomass production, superior erosion control and ability to limit nutrient loss,鈥?Licht said. 鈥淗owever, concerns about corn yield drag following cereal rye have prompted growing interest in alternative cover crops that may offer better compatibility with corn. Two promising alternatives are hairy vetch and camelina. These are particularly noteworthy because they include varieties that commonly overwinter in Iowa.鈥?lt;/p>
Around the College
American Society of Animal Science Honors CALS Faculty
Nicholas Gabler received the American Feed Industry Association Award in Nonruminant Nutrition Research from the American Society of Animal Science at its annual meeting July 6 鈥?10 in Hollywood, Florida. Jodi Sterle received the Purina Animal Nutrition LLC/Land O鈥橪akes Inc. Distinguished Teacher Award.
ASABE Honors CALS Faculty
Amy Kaleita, department chair for agricultural and biosystems engineering, received the James R. and Karen A. Gilley Academic Leadership Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers at its annual international meeting July 13-16 in Toronto, Canada. Manjit Misra, professor emeritus, received the Lalit and Aruna Verma Award for Excellence in Global Engagement.
High-Tech Feed Mill Supports Safe, Sustainable Food Supply
The summer issue of Fresh Pickings, published by the Iowa Food and Family project, includes a feature on the ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex (pgs. 24-27). Dirk Maier, agricultural and biosystems engineering, talks about the innovative grain science complex that鈥檚 a game changer for the global grain industry, while also educating and connecting the next generation of researchers in areas like feed production and process engineering.
Calendar
Sept. 9-10: Iowa Water Conference
The 19th annual Iowa Water Conference, 鈥淟ife Depends on Water. Water Depends on You.鈥?amp;nbsp;is Sept. 9-10 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. As the Iowa Water Center celebrates its 60-year anniversary, it contemplates the progress made, as well as the goals that have been, so far, out of reach.
Sept. 10-12: Egg Industry Issues Forum
Iowa State鈥檚 Egg Industry Center is partnering with the Ohio Poultry Association for its annual Egg Industry Issues Forum Sept. 10-12 in Columbus, Ohio. Traditionally a stand-alone annual event, the Egg Industry Issues Forum started in 2009 and has educated egg farmers and industry stakeholders from over 31 states and 10 countries on issues important to the industry.
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Infograzing
CYstarters Demo Day Scheduled for July 31
As the 10th CYstarters summer accelerator program ends, the student entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses at the CYstarters Demo Day on July 31 from 3-6:30 p.m. in the Research Park CORE Facility Atrium. A networking reception will follow.
RMF and AAAS Invite Students to Submit Poster Presentations
The Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Foundation, in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, is holding its inaugural poster competition for students to present cutting-edge research in agriculture, natural resources, food science and related fields. The competition will be held in conjunction with the Riley Memorial Lecture at AAAS in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 20. Sixteen posters will be selected. The deadline to upload submissions is Aug. 10.
CALS Alum Named Entrepreneur of the Year
Algae is the star behind a Slater-based business that is using the green goo to clean municipal and industrial wastewater. The sustainable process was developed by Martin Gross, founder and CEO of Gross-Wen Technologies. His advancements in water treatment recently earned Gross an Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Heartland Award. While an Iowa State undergraduate with an interest in algae, Gross met Zhiyou Wen, now the William K. Deal Agricultural Innovation Professor in food science and human nutrition and director of Iowa State鈥檚 Center for Crops Utilization Research. Following research and technology development, and with a new focus on wastewater treatment, Gross and Wen launched the business.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
/cals-online
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 Thursday.
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University Nondiscrimination Statement

Issue: 1349

Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — July 14, 2025

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 Message
July 14, 2025
Dean鈥檚 Message
Hello CALS 鈥?Happy Monday. Another beautiful day. It feels awkward, of late, to celebrate our weather when the devastation of the July 4th flooding in Texas is still very much in front of us. Amazing to think of how far we鈥檝e come with understanding and forecasting weather, and yet still how vulnerable we are鈥?
Top Stories
Nursing in Norway Program Broadens Students鈥?Views of Healthcare
Students鈥?eyes were opened to how nursing and healthcare systems differ from those in the United States during the Nursing in Norway program. Five RN-to-BSN nursing students from Iowa State and six nurses from Mary Greeley Medical Center recently participated in the program alongside six nursing students from Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway. The experience was organized and planned by Iowa State鈥檚 Dawn Bowker, director of nursing education and clinical associate professor, and Karla Kerkove, clinical assistant professor. (Photo submitted)
Research
ISRC Holding Field Tour on Aug. 5
The Iowa Soybean Research Center has organized a half-day Field Tour for Aug. 5 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. The tour includes visits to Wyffels Hybrids and the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University, both located in the Ames area. Iowa State ag-research related graduate students, post docs, staff and faculty are welcome to attend. Transportation is provided. The Field Tour offers researchers opportunities to explore and learn about a variety of agricultural industries and farming operations that exist outside the lab experiences. Please register before July 25. For questions, email cornelis@iastate.edu.
New Vineyard Features Concrete Posts
This spring, the team at the Horticulture Research Station was busy preparing to plant a new vineyard. The effort is led by Randall Vos, ISU Extension fruit crops field specialist, and supported financially by the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute. The reason for the new vineyard is to support grape and wine research within Iowa and the Midwest and provide a set of vines for researchers to perform experiments on without disrupting the commercial vineyard鈥檚 operations.
Teaching and Students
Record-Breaking Year for Iowa State Livestock Judging Camp
More than 190 elementary through high school students came to campus June 3-5 to participate in the Neal and Kitty Conover Livestock Judging Camp. The camp, hosted by the Iowa State Livestock Judging Team and its coach, Will Taylor, animal science, is designed to introduce students to livestock judging and develop critical thinking, communication, leadership and decision-making skills. Participating students came from Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Video: Undergraduate Researcher Studies Rice
Tristan Weers, senior in biochemistry, is helping boost the defenses of one of the world's staple crops: rice. Check out his project and learn about the research opportunities undergraduate students can take advantage of in CALS.
Extension and Outreach
Workshops Focus on Better Leases for Better Relationships
ISU Extension and Outreach is hosting a series of farmland leasing arrangements meetings across the state throughout July and August, as well as a statewide virtual webinar on Aug. 26. These annual meetings are offered to address questions that landowners, tenants or other interested individuals have about leasing farmland.
LSLA Program Enhances Conservation Professionals鈥?Skills
Through in-person and virtual discussions with farmers, extension specialists and each other, the unique Land Stewardship Leadership Academy helps early-career natural resource professionals in Iowa gain knowledge to build relationships with farmers and increase confidence in their skills as conservation professionals. Offered every other year, the program wrapped up its third class in May. It was developed and is led by Adam Janke, natural resources ecology and management and extension wildlife specialist, and ISU Extension and Outreach staff Julia Baker and Catherine DeLong.
A Day of Learning Across Central Iowa鈥檚 Green Industry
In June, the Horticulture Extension Team participated in an in-service activity exploring various components of the horticulture industry. The day started with a visit to Bentley Ridge Nursery near Grimes. From there, the group traveled to Des Moines Golf and Country Club, Ted Lare Design and Wills Orchard. It was a great learning experience for members of the Horticulture Extension Team to visit clients and stakeholders, understand their needs and come up with research-based approaches and strategies to better serve the horticulture industry.
Around the College
CALS Researcher on Winning Multistate Research Award Team
Multistate Research Award NC246 was selected as the regional winner of the 2025 agInnovation Excellence in Multistate Research Award for work that included efforts led by Aaron Gassman, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, to coordinate a corn rootworm monitoring network, which includes 12 states and five Canadian provinces. The initiative鈥檚 website has had 18,000 views and 500 report downloads since 2021. In Iowa, producers estimate this information has a potential annual value of $40 to $160 million statewide.
Meet Dean Owusu in Latest Podcast, 鈥楾o Infinity and Abroad鈥?lt;/strong>
Meet Francis Owusu, the new associate dean for global engagement in CALS, in episode 33 of the podcast, 鈥淭o Infinity and Abroad.鈥?Student travel consultant Kylie McGlade gets to know Owusu and learns about his goals for global programming in CALS.
Alum: Eileen Gannon on Farm, Fair and Fame
Eileen Gannon (鈥?6 ag journalism, 鈥?1 MBA) feels a special connection to the Iowa State Fair. She first entered her baking at the fair when she was 12. In 2021, Gannon launched her own business, Sunday Night Foods, using recipes she had honed for decades. Read her story in the summer 2025 issue of the Iowa Stater.
STORIES Magazine Coming in August 2025
CALS Communications staff appear in a new reel promoting STORIES magazine, the college-wide alum magazine set to hit mailboxes in August. While readers will notice much of the same content they鈥檝e come to love, some fun, new additions will be added. Follow #CALSstories on social media for the latest updates and sign up to receive the print or digital version of the magazine.
Calendar
July 15: Welcome Reception and Appreciation Salute
A welcome reception for Glen Ritchie, incoming chair of the agronomy department, and an appreciation salute for Mary Wiedenhoeft, who has served as interim department chair for two years, is Tuesday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Agronomy Hall commons.
July 23: Zoo Brew
Join the Iowa State University Alumni Association and CALS in painting the Blank Park Zoo cardinal and gold on July 23 for Iowa State Day at Zoo Brew. Swing by the Blank Park Zoo Pavilion from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to mingle with fellow alums, meet the colleges and check out activities, prizes and giveaways.
July 25: Solar Farm Open House
Iowa State is holding a series of open house events at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University near Ames. Participants will tour the farm and learn about agrivoltaics 鈥?the integration of solar energy and agriculture. Each session will share insight on the farm鈥檚 construction and explore research conducted at the farm. The next open house is July 25, followed by three more through September. This opportunity is available at no cost to participants, but pre-registration is required online to attend.
July 31: Alan DiSpirito Retiring
Alan DiSpirito, professor in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, is retiring July 31 (no public event).
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Infograzing
Wintersteen on Combining the Alumni Association and the Foundation
In the summer 2025 issue of the Iowa Stater, Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen penned a message. 鈥淥ne of Iowa State University鈥檚 greatest strengths is our tremendously loyal and supportive alumni, friends and stakeholders,鈥?Wintersteen said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a priority for me to work on strengthening the relationships the university has, and to forge new ones. The work requires me 鈥?and all of us at Iowa State 鈥?to tell our story in the most compelling, convincing and consistent way possible. That鈥檚 why I decided last summer to hire a consultant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of our communications and constituent engagement ecosystem 鈥?all the many ways that Iowa State University, the Iowa State University Alumni Association and the Iowa State University Foundation connect with you and many others.鈥?lt;/p>
Iowa Hunger Summit on July 16 Available in Person and Virtually
The Iowa Hunger Summit is a free, public event held annually, bringing together hundreds of food security leaders from across the state. This year's theme, From the Ground Up, underscores the importance of nurturing sustainable solutions to food insecurity at every stage of life, from infancy to older adulthood and every moment in between.
Marginalia
Windows are Top Human Threat to Birds
Window collisions are now considered the top human cause of bird deaths. Two recent scientific studies estimate that more than 1 billion birds 鈥?and as many as 5.19 billion 鈥?die from collisions with sheet glass each year in the United States alone. In a May 21 article in The Conversation, Jason Hoeksema, ecologist at the University of Mississippi, shares some simple steps to reduce collisions.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
/cals-online
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 Thursday.
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Issue: 1348

Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — July 7, 2025

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 Message
July 7, 2025
Dean鈥檚 Message
Hello CALS 鈥?I hope you had a terrific July Fourth holiday weekend. When I was teaching introductory forestry and natural resources classes, I used to focus a class period on the transition in policy that date represented in 1776. Some students complained that it was not supposed to be a 鈥渉istory class鈥?- and it surely was not. But it was a class about how natural resources are understood and managed, about how they got to be like they are, and how they might be in the future鈥?lt;/p>
Top Stories
Invention Improves 鈥楪ene Gun,鈥?Targets Efficiency Gains in Plant Research
Engineers and plant scientists worked together to improve a basic tool of plant research. The result is more efficient and consistent gene editing. That could help researchers develop crops that withstand hot weather, provide better nutrition or contribute to renewable energy production. The Iowa State research team, left to right: Steven Whitham, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology; Alan Eggenberger, materials science and engineering; Kan Wang, agronomy; Jessica (Qing) Ji, Crop Bioengineering Center; Connor Thorpe, MSE; Keunsub Lee, agronomy; and Shan Jiang, MSE. (Photo by Ryan Riley/College of Engineering)
Teaching and Students
Graduate Program Wins Award for Global Webinar Series
Iowa State鈥檚 Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business earned international recognition for its biannual webinar series, receiving a gold award in the special events category from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education鈥檚 Circle of Excellence Awards. The STB program stood out for its innovative and inclusive approach to global professional development.
College Students Hacked into Tractors, Manufacturers Wanted Them To
At the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center on June 15-20, two dozen students leaned over laptops on tables between green and red tractors. They came from across the country for the fourth annual CyberTractor Challenge. At the start of the weeklong event, experts from universities and companies teach students about the technical protocols that run agricultural equipment, along with general cybersecurity concepts. Teams of students then connect to the electronic components in tractors during a two-day ethical hackathon, testing points of entry and potential security flaws.
Extension and Outreach
Food Hubs Sell more than $4 Million of Local Food in 2024
The 鈥?024 Food Hub Impact Report,鈥?prepared for the Iowa Food Hub Managers Working Group by ISU Extension and Outreach, noted that food hubs worked with more than 450 farms and food businesses last year. 鈥淔ood Hubs sold over $4.3 million in local foods to grocery stores, households, restaurants, school districts, food access organizations and other customers all across the state,鈥?said Teresa Wiemerslage, author of the report and field specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach鈥檚 Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program.
Around the College
Iowa State鈥檚 Oldest Research Farm Turns 95
This year marks the 95th anniversary of Iowa State鈥檚 Northern Research and Demonstration Farm. Originally, the farm's research included several crops, including sugar beets. Now, this property has expanded to include some of the longest-running experiments on soil fertility and crop response to micronutrients, continuously running since the 1960s and 1980s, respectively.
CALS Communicator Receives National Awards from ACE
Cynthia Hicks, communications specialist with Iowa State鈥檚 Seed Science Center, was honored during the Association for Communication Excellence annual conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 16-18.
Gold award 鈥?electronic media, video 鈥?The Seed Pandemic
Silver award 鈥?marketing 鈥?Welcome to the Seed Science Center
Infograzing
World Food Prize Holds Fundraiser for Hall of Laureates
The World Food Prize Foundation is holding a fundraising gala at the Hall of Laureates on July 26 from 7-10 p.m. The Gala will highlight the beauty and mission of the Hall of Laureates while showcasing more than a dozen local vendors. It鈥檚 a chance to come together as a community to celebrate鈥攁nd to support鈥攖he space that serves as the heart of the World Food Prize Foundation鈥檚 global and local efforts.
Marginalia
Pop, Soda or coke? The Fizzy History Behind America鈥檚 Favorite Linguistic Debate
鈥淲ith burgers sizzling and classic rock thumping, many Americans revel in summer cookouts 鈥?at least until that wayward cousin asks for a 鈥榩op鈥?in soda country, or even worse, a 鈥榗oke鈥?when they actually want a Sprite. Few American linguistic debates have bubbled quite as long and effervescently as the one over whether a generic soft drink should be called a soda, pop or coke. The word you use generally boils down to where you鈥檙e from: Midwesterners enjoy a good pop, while soda is tops in the North and far West. Southerners, long the cultural mavericks, don鈥檛 bat an eyelash asking for coke 鈥?lowercase 鈥?before homing in on exactly the type they want鈥︹€?writes Valerie Fridland, professor of linguistics from the University of Nevada, Reno, in a July 1 post for The Conversation.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
/cals-online
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 Thursday.
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University Nondiscrimination Statement

Issue: 1347

Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — June 30, 2025

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 Message
June 30, 2025
Dean鈥檚 Message
Hello CALS 鈥?We have a short week with the Fourth of July on Friday! Enjoy the long weekend. Last week, a number of key things happened in the college, including a celebration at the Northern Research and Demonstration Farm for its 95th anniversary and for the opening of a new building there! This new building with offices, a conference room, a multi-purpose room and a shop is the new 鈥渇ront door鈥?of the college in the north central region of the state, and a very welcome addition to the utility and future of the station鈥?amp;nbsp;
Top Stories
Retallick Named Next Associate Dean for Personnel and Finance
Mike Retallick, chair of the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies, has been selected to serve as the next associate dean for personnel and finance for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, effective July 1. He will continue serving as department chair, in addition to being the new associate dean, until August, when Jeff Iles, professor of horticulture and previous chair of the Department of Horticulture, will step in as interim chair of the AGEDS department. 鈥淚鈥檓 humbled by the opportunity to join the dean's leadership team and look forward to working across the college's departments and units to advance the great work we do in teaching, research and Extension and Outreach鈥?鈥?Retallick said.
Research
More than Half of Rural Counties are 鈥楲egal Deserts鈥?lt;/strong>
A new study finds that a shortage of lawyers is a common problem in rural areas. The research on legal deserts by David Peters, sociology, and undergraduate researchers Emily Meyer and Emma Bartling, both in agricultural and rural policy studies, found more than half of the 2,307 rural counties in the contiguous U.S. have an insufficient number of practicing private attorneys. Their findings were published in the spring edition of the South Dakota Law Review.

ISRC Welcomes Tidal Grow AgriScience as Industry Partner
Tidal Grow AgriScience has joined the Iowa Soybean Research Center as its newest industry partner, and the company will serve on the ISRC鈥檚 industry advisory council.
Extension and Outreach
Haying Equipment Demonstration Planned at McNay Farm
ISU Extension and Outreach is hosting a haying equipment demonstration field day on July 8 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the McNay Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm in Chariton. Sessions will showcase different types of haying equipment with demonstrations from industry representatives, followed by an equipment trade show.
Northwest Field Day Includes Weed Resistance Roundtable
The Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm in Sutherland is holding a field day on July 9 at 9 a.m. The program will include information on present and future corn yields, a weed management update and a presentation on drone operations and applications. An optional roundtable will begin after lunch on weed resistance and the EPA Herbicide Strategy.
Garden Academy to Launch in September
The Iowa Master Gardener Program and ISU Extension and Outreach will launch Garden Academy in September, providing high-quality gardening education in a refined format for both aspiring Iowa Master Gardeners and home gardening enthusiasts. Interested participants can choose from two program tracks: Iowa Master Gardener Volunteer or Iowa Home Gardener.
Around the College
ISRC Announces Leadership Transition
Mark Licht, agronomy, and Steve Whitham, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, will join the Iowa Soybean Research Center as co-directors, effective July 1. After 11 years of leadership, Greg Tylka, founding ISRC director and Morrill Professor of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, will step away from the center at the end of 2025 to focus on his research responsibilities.
Iowa State Collaboration Caps Off Historic Farm State Fair Exhibit
A team of faculty, staff and students in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering came together to construct a historical silo that will be part of an exhibit in the Agricultural Building during the Iowa State Fair.
Monarch Conservation: More than Just Milkweed
When people think of monarch butterflies, they often think of milkweed. And rightly so. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed and cannot survive without it. But the monarch-milkweed connection only covers half of the story - the caterpillar stage. Adult monarchs have their own requirements and resource needs that conservation efforts must also address. The native flowering plants adult monarchs need for nectar is addressed in a June 26 blog post for Iowa Learning Farms.
ISRC Seeking Volunteers for Meals from the Heartland Event
The Iowa Soybean Research Center is looking for approximately 50 volunteers to help package 38,000 Taco Mac meals for the center鈥檚 fifth annual Meals from the Heartland event. Sponsored by Cargill, the event is scheduled for Aug. 1 from 1-4 p.m. at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt. The meals are distributed locally to SHOP on campus and Food at First in downtown Ames.
Calendar
July 2: Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinar
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, July 2, at noon, will feature Alejandro Plastina, director of the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center at the University of Missouri. He will present 鈥淎doption and Disadoption of Conservation Practices in the U.S.鈥?lt;/p>
July 15: Welcome Reception and Appreciation Salute
A welcome reception for Glen Ritchie, incoming chair of the agronomy department, and an appreciation salute for Mary Wiedenhoeft, who has served as interim department chair for two years, is July 15 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Agronomy Hall commons.
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Infograzing
Most ISU Vehicles Will Have Hands-Free Capability
Transportation Services has been working to ensure most of its vehicles have hands-free capability to comply with new legislation beginning July 1 that prohibits drivers from using electronic communication devices while driving鈥攗nless the device is used hands-free. However, some of the vehicle types do not offer Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, etc. Drivers are encouraged to plan accordingly.
A New Name: University Marketing and Communications
Effective July 1, Strategic Relations and Communications will change its name to University Marketing and Communications. The name change was recommended by Segal, the consultant that completed a campuswide communications and constituent engagement assessment earlier this year.
Volunteers Sought for State Fair Exhibit
Faculty and staff volunteers are sought to run the university鈥檚 main exhibit at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 7-17. Visitors to 鈥淵our Iowa. Your State. Your University鈥?will learn how Iowa State has created measurable impact in Iowa in the areas of family, health, education, community, food and technology. Volunteers receive admission to the fair, a themed T-shirt to wear during their shift and two tickets to the Cyclone football home opener on Aug. 30. The online registration form is first come, first served.
Marginalia
Celebrate the Parks Library Centennial with Digital Exhibit
The Heart of the University is a digital exhibit commemorating the Parks Library centennial. It traces the library鈥檚 beginnings in 1868 and its nomadic existence of being housed in Old Main, Morrill Hall and Beardshear Hall before the first dedicated library building was constructed and opened in 1925. Explore photographs, building plans, reports and more archival materials that document the evolution of the collections, services, staff and programs offered by the library over time. The interactive digital exhibit is rooted heavily in the physical exhibit curated by Greg Bailey, and it will expand throughout the year with additional content highlighting its evolution from the 1930s onward.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
/cals-online
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 Thursday.
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University Nondiscrimination Statement

Issue: 1346

Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — June 23, 2025

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 Message
June 23, 2025
Dean鈥檚 Message
Hello CALS 鈥?Summer solstice and hot days this weekend! Hope you stayed hydrated! Please always do when out in the heat and the sun鈥?Last week we hosted the 12-state regional Mini Land-Grant Conference, where college leadership and private citizens supporting land-grant colleges of agriculture from across the region gathered as they do each year in a different place to talk about what makes the land-grant system of support for agriculture and related sciences so important, and to encourage continued and enhanced federal support. The meeting this summer was especially important in these regards鈥?amp;nbsp;
Top Stories
Animal Ecology Major Renamed to Include 鈥榃ildlife鈥?and 鈥楩isheries鈥?lt;/strong>
To clarify what students will study, the animal ecology major has been renamed the wildlife and fisheries conservation and ecology major at Iowa State University. Aside from the new name, no other changes were made 鈥?the degree requirements, classes and emphasis areas remain the same. Stephen Dinsmore, chair of the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, where the major is housed, said there were two reasons for the name change: the new name aligns more closely with what the major is called at other institutions 鈥?many of which include 鈥渨ildlife鈥?or 鈥渇isheries鈥?in the major鈥檚 name; and it prevents confusion with the animal science major. Students currently enrolled as an animal ecology major can either remain in this major or switch to the new name. Fall 2025 incoming students will be classified under the major鈥檚 new name.
Extension and Outreach
Weed Science Field Day is July 2 at Curtiss Farm
A Weed Science Field Day is July 2 at Iowa State鈥檚 Curtiss Farm in Ames from 8:30 a.m. to noon, followed by a complimentary lunch. The event will feature field plot tours, presentations and demonstrations on weed management practices and herbicide programs. The ISU Extension and Outreach Weed Science program, led by Wesley Everman, extension weed specialist, has approximately 60-70 herbicide evaluations and weed control trials planned this year, evaluating new and existing herbicides for weed control in corn and soybeans. This event is available at no cost, but participants must RSVP by June 25.
Building a Culture of Conservation: 20 Years of Inspiring Iowans
Founded upon and committed to a focus on directly reaching and engaging with farmers, Iowa Learning Farms has grown and succeeded over its 20 years by developing and honing a diverse suite of both in-person and virtual outreach events designed to connect directly with participants in a variety of ways. Takeaways from 20 years of outreach are featured in a blog post by Mitch Harting, water outreach specialist.
Around the College
AGEDS Faculty and Staff Receive Awards at AAAE Conference
Scott Smalley, agricultural education and studies, was one of four co-authors awarded the Journal of Agricultural Education Article of the Year award by the American Association for Agricultural Education at its annual conference in Lubbock, Texas. Smalley and doctoral student Joe Ramstad presented a research poster with Natasha Mortenson, Minnesota FFA Association. 鈥淪chool-Based Agricultural Education Students鈥?Affinity Toward and Perceptions of Welding Skills鈥?received a Top 10 Research Poster award.
USASBE Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium in Ames, July 8-11
The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship鈥檚 2025 Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium is being hosted by Iowa State July 8-11 in Ames. This year鈥檚 event, 鈥淭ransforming the Heartland: Rural Retail, Manufacturing and Tourism Innovation in the Midwest,鈥?will focus on rural retail, entrepreneurship, small business, manufacturing, agriculture and technology. Registration is still open, and CALS faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.
Calendar
June 26: Robert Horton Retirement Reception
A retirement reception for Robert Horton, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in agronomy, is Thursday, June 26, at 3 p.m. in the Agronomy Commons (program at 3:30 p.m.). Well wishes may also be posted to Horton鈥檚 kudo board.
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Infograzing
Butterfly Wing Docent Training Scheduled for July 11
The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing at Reiman Gardens is open daily to visitors and relies heavily on the time and dedication of its trained butterfly wing docent volunteers. Butterfly Wing Docent Training takes 1.5 hours. The next session is scheduled for July 11 at 11:30 a.m.
Then and Now: The Power of Agriculture
USDA鈥檚 Natural Resources Conservation Service is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. They began their celebration by posting a blog and an interactive timeline about NRCS history and a video about how they鈥檝e helped farmers over the years. They鈥檝e also been sharing historical photos on social media that show how the NRCS mission has both changed and stayed the same.
Marginalia
Iowa Adventure Pass Returns
The Iowa Adventure Pass is a collaborative program that gives Iowa library cardholders free or discounted access to a variety of cultural and educational attractions, including museums, zoos, gardens and more. Established in 2017, the program began with 11 libraries in the Des Moines metro area and a partnership with Blank Park Zoo. Since then, it has expanded statewide, with more than 70 participating libraries and 17 destination attractions. After a brief pause, the Iowa Adventure Pass program has relaunched. Each pass offers free entry for two adults and two children (unless otherwise specified) and is one more way the library connects users to new experiences.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
/cals-online
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 Thursday.
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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ONLINE Newsletter

CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 MessageAugust 25, 2025

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CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 MessageAugust 18, 2025

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CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 MessageAugust 11, 2025

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CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 MessageAugust 4, 2025

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CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 MessageJuly 28, 2025

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CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 MessageJuly 21, 2025

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CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 MessageJuly 14, 2025

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CALS Online and Dean鈥檚 MessageJuly 7, 2025

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