College News

 

SURVEYING FARMERS ABOUT HERBICIDE RESISTANCE

A team of weed scientists, economists and sociologists led by Mike Owen, agronomy professor, is working to develop effective approaches to address an increase in herbicide resistant weeds. The project, which is supported by a USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative grant, also addresses barriers farmers face in adopting more diverse strategies for herbicide-resistant weed management. More

 

IOWA SOYBEAN, CALS PARTNER TO PROTECT MONARCHS

The Iowa Soybean Association is funding Iowa State research examining monarch habitat on a bioreactor site. Establishing monarch habitat over a bioreactor increases the bioreactor’s ecosystem services from solely removing nutrients to also supporting valuable habitat. The 2016 study will look for the presence of milkweed as well as monarch eggs and larvae. ISU is conducting complimentary research on how habitat patterns and patches influence the total number of monarch eggs. More

 

HELPING WITH HUNGER, FOOD WASTE

Solving the parallel problems of hunger and food waste in Story County has become the avocation of hundreds of current and past ISU faculty, staff and students. Steve Padgitt, emeritus professor of sociology, Tom Fenton, emeritus professor of agronomy, and many of their former CALS colleagues, volunteer for Food at First, a perishable food pantry and free meal program. More

 

FARMLAND VALUES FALL FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Average Iowa farmland value is now estimated to be $7,633 per acre – having dropped in value for the second consecutive year. Land values were determined by the 2015 Iowa Land Value Survey, which was conducted in November by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development and ISU Extension and Outreach. More

 

ON TRACK FOR GRADUATION, 2016 OLYMPICS

Edward Kemboi, senior in agronomy, starts the next leg of his Iowa State adventure as he graduates this Saturday. A high school track standout in Kenya, the Big 12 and NAAA champ hopes to use his agronomy degree to help farmers in his home country. But first, he has his sights set on the 2016 Olympics. Hear from Kemboi in this video

 

VOICES: BANWART ON STUDENT LEADERSHIP, LEGACIES

Upon her graduation, Haley Banwart (’15 ag and life sciences education, journalism and mass communication) offers a few thoughts on her student experience in the college in this essay. During her time as an undergrad she oversaw the development of CALS Connections, a student publication created in the spirit of the Iowa Agriculturalist. Banwart is working on her master’s degree in agricultural and life sciences education and studies at Iowa State.

 

 

 

 

AG BUSINESS CLUB ENDOWMENT ESTABLISHED BY FARM CREDIT SERVICES

A $100,000 gift to Iowa State from Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) will establish the Ron Deiter ISU Agricultural Business Club Endowment. FCSAmerica named the endowment in honor of Deiter, professor of economics, who has been advising and providing leadership to student members of the club for 38 years. More

 

TWO END-OF-YEAR OPPORTUNITIES MULTIPLY GIFTS TO CALS

CALS students involved in a service learning project in Uganda are working with the ISU Foundation on a fundraising effort to help build a training center in Uganda’s Kamuli District. Every dollar contributed to the fund will be matched twice, so a $1 contribution will total $3. The deadline to contribute is Dec. 31. Learn more in this videoGive

Roger Carlsson (’78 ag business) was one of many people positively impacted by Paul Doak during his 30-year tenure at Iowa State. Doak (’65 PhD agricultural economics), emeritus professor of economics, focused on teaching and advising students in agricultural business. Recently, Carlsson pledged to match gifts and pledges received by the end of 2015 up to $250,000 to the Paul Doak Agricultural Business Recruiting Scholarship. Read more about this special effort. Give

To give via phone to these or other efforts to support the college and its students call (515) 294-7677 or visit the ISU Foundation online

 

MORE COLLEGE NEWS

 

Alumni News

 

JACKSON HONORED BY WHITE HOUSE FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Mark Jackson (’74 farm operation) was honored as a finalist for the Champion of Change Award, a sustainability and environmental accolade awarded by the White House. The Champions of Change award recognizes everyday Americans who are making positive changes in their communities including protecting the environment through sustainable and climate-smart agriculture practices. More

 

PRICE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FARM MANAGER, APPRAISER

Ben Price (’08 ag business), professional farm manager and real estate sales agent with Farmers National Company, Earlham, received the Early Career Award by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers during their annual meeting in October. Price received the award for making outstanding contributions to the farm management profession, the association and his local community during his first 10 years of membership. More

 

PETERS NAMED AMONG TOP WOMEN IN GROCERY

Rita Peters (’77 horticulture), assistant vice president of floral operations for Hy-Vee, Inc., has been named to Progressive Grocers Top Women in Grocery. Now in its 10th year, the award is the retail food industry’s premier women’s leadership recognition platform. More (see page 34)

 

ALUMNI HONORED BY NATIONAL AG EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Mike Retallick (’05 PhD ag and life sciences education), Iowa State associate professor in agricultural education and studies, is one of six individuals nationwide to receive the National Association of Agricultural Educators Teacher Mentor Award. Brydon Kaster (’04 ag studies), ag educator at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, received one of four national awards for Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Agricultural Education Program from the association. Daniel May (’11 ag and life sciences education), ag educator at Wayne Community High School in Corydon, received a regional Teacher Turn the Key Award from the association. The awards were presented at the association’s annual convention in November.

 

EUKEN HONORED FOR LEADERSHIP BY IOWA FARM BUREAU

Stacie Euken (’04 ag and life sciences education), a farmer near Wiota, was awarded the 2015 Bob Joslin Excellence in Agriculture Award by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation at the organization’s annual meeting Dec. 2. The award honors a young farmer who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities in Farm Bureau, agriculture and community.

 

 

 

 

 

CALS ALUMNI HONORED BY COLLEGE, ALUMNI ASSOCATION

CALS graduates were honored by Iowa State for service to the college and agricultural and life sciences industries during Homecoming events in October.

 

 

ALUMNI, FRIENDS GATHER IN SUPPORT OF IOWA AG

More than 120 CALS alumni and friends, students, farmers and legislators gathered in support of Iowa agriculture on Dec. 5 at the Hansen Agricultural Student Learning Center. Hosted by Grow Iowa Agriculture, a grassroots organization led by Jim Christensen ('80 farm operation), the event featured remarks by Regent Bruce Rastetter, CALS Dean Wendy Wintersteen (’88 PhD entomology) and Dean of Veterinary Medicine Lisa Nolan. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey (’81 ag business) shared remarks via video. They shared legislative priorities for the upcoming year and appreciation for past support. Follow Grow Iowa Agriculture on Facebook.

 

BRABEC KEYNOTES AG ENTREPRENEURSHIP ROUNDTABLE

The Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative hosted their 10th annual Fall Entrepreneur Roundtable on October 15. During the event more than 50 students talked with entrepreneurs about the opportunities and difficulties of starting a business. The night started with dinner and remarks from the keynote speaker, Dan Brabec (’02 horticulture), owner of Coe’s Floral and Gifts. More 

 

CONGRATS TO NEWEST CALS ALUMNI

More than 300 CALS graduates will be recognized at convocation Saturday. The college will hold its fall convocation for new graduates Dec.19 in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. The convocation program will begin at 9:30 a.m. The CALS Student Council will present awards to: Megan Talley, agricultural education and studies, for outstanding senior; Haley Banwart, agricultural education and studies, for leadership excellence; Katerina Herzberg, biology, for academic achievement; Brenton Rossman, animal science, for outstanding ambassador of agriculture; and Lauren Grant, culinary science, for distinguished service. Herzberg also will be the speaker at the program. At university commencement, Shane Boeshart, agricultural systems technology, will be the CALS student marshal. Information on university commencement. 

 

 

About STORIES Online

STORIES Online is a supplement to STORIES magazine. The e-newsletter delivers college and alumni news, class notes and relevant links each month. If you have news or story suggestions or would like to subscribe please contact editor Melea Reicks Licht at mreicks@iastate.edu.

 

Young Alum of the Month

Brianna Brun

 

 

Title: Wellstone Medical Student Fellow, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Hometown: Charlotte, Iowa

Degree: ’13 genetics

Major Responsibilities: Conducting clinical research with patients with alpha dystroglycanopathies (a form of muscular dystrophy).  

 

JOIN CALS FOR

HILTON MAGIC FEB. 6

Join the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in celebrating the college’s role in growing leaders at the Cyclone women’s basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 6 in Hilton Coliseum. CALS alumni and friends are invited to a complimentary pre-game reception in Scheman 11:30 a.m. with a short program at 12:30 p.m. (pre-registration requested). Tipoff is at 1:30 p.m. vs. Texas. The college will be featured throughout the game and the college’s 2016 Emerging Iowa Leader award will be presented on court. More

 

 

Protecting Soil and Water

Research and extension on soil and water are featured in the most recent issue of the college's alumni magazine. STORIES details science-based information on nitrate and nitrogen management, cover crops, soil conservation, success stories and more. Visit the new STORIES website or download a PDF. To be added to the print mailing list e-mail stories@iastate.edu.

 

 

Class Notes

 

Did you land a new job? Receive an honor or award? Reach a milestone? We’d like to know! Submit your class note via e-mail stories@iastate.edu.

 

2010s

Grant Bargfrede (’14 public service and administration in ag) has been promoted to director of chapter advancement with Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

 

Ben Zelle (’14 ag business) is the new customer service team lead with John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group in Urbandale.

 

Kody Trampel (’12 ag studies), agronomy specialist for MaxYield Cooperative and farmer near Klemme, was featured on the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Program’s Facebook page. 

 

2000s

Kohl Schrader (’05 animal science, ’10 PhD meat science, food science and technology) is the new technical applications manager at Poly-Clip System.

 

Louise Fleming (’03 ag and life sciences education, ’08 MS professional ag), an instructional coach and FFA adviser at Vinton-Shellsburg High School, was a finalist for the Iowa Department of Education’s 2016 Teacher of the Year award.

 

Jessica Kiesling (’02 ag and life sciences education, ’11 MS) is the new advising coordinator for the department of animal science at Michigan State University.

 

Travis Krause (’01 animal science, ’02 MS animal science, meat science, food science and technology) has been named protein business manager of a newly developed protein-focused sales team at Kemin. 

 

1990s

Peter Guzman (’98 PhD plant breeding, agronomy), commercial pipeline breeder for Monsanto, was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the University of Philippines Los Banos College of Agriculture Alumni Association. 

 

Jill Calabro (’94 horticulture) is the new research and science programs director for AmericanHort and the Horticultural Research Institute. 

 

Steven Harrold (’92 MS agronomy) has been named laboratory manager at Servi-Tech in Dodge City, Kansas. 

 

1980s

Wendy Wintersteen (’88 PhD entomology), endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, received the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology President’s Award. 

 

Joe Dierickx (’82 ag business), a farmer near De Witt, was elected to a three-year term on the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation internal study committee. 

 

1950s

Neil Harl (’55 ag and life sciences education, ’65 PhD economics), retired distinguished professor of economics, was honored as an outstanding alumnus at the 150th anniversary of the founding of the University of Iowa College of Law. 

 

G. Joe Lyon (’51 dairy science), owner of Lyon Jerseys near Toledo, has been inducted in to the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Hall of Fame. 

 

1940s

Cyrus Kirk (’47 ag economics) was featured in the Des Moines Register for his service in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.

 

In Memoriam

Bruce Engnell (’65 animal science), 72, of Macomb, Illinois, died November 2. 

 

Robert Vajgrt (’66 ag journalism), 72, of Park Rapids, Minnesota. Died October 19. 

 

Rod Brannen (’61 ag business), 76, of Amelia Island, Florida, formerly of Muscatine, died August 18.

 

Kenneth Truelsen (’59 agronomy), 80, of Lafayette, Indiana., died November 12. 

 

Allan Beck (’56 horticulture, ’74 MS), 81, of Story City, died November 4. 

 

Eugene Mathern (’56 animal science), 86, of Muscatine, died November 21. 

 

Robert Barnes (’52 ag and life sciences education, ’90 MS professional ag), 85, of Letts, died November 9. 

 

 

2016 Extension

Garden Calendar 

ISU Extension and Outreach’s 2016 Garden Calendar features guests of the garden. “For many, hosting birds, butterflies, bees and other creatures is one of the most rewarding aspects of gardening,” said Richard Jauron, extension program specialist in horticulture. “Desirable guests can be enticed to our gardens by providing food, water and shelter.” More

 

 

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Iowa State University 

303 Curtiss Hall

Ames, Iowa 50011

(515) 294-5616

stories@iastate.edu

http://www.cals.iastate.edu