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College News
PROBIOTICS COULD HELP PANDAS THRIVE
Stephan Schmitz-Esser, associate professor of animal science, is working with researchers from the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu Sichuan, China, to better understand the pandas' biology and nutritional needs. Pandas’ diets are almost entirely made up of bamboo, which contains high levels of cellulose and lignin, so it is very hard to digest. Schmitz-Esser said their findings could lead to the development of a probiotic for pandas to help improve cellulose degradation for the endangered species and help them gain more energy from the bamboo they consume. More
CLEAN WATER, HEALTHY ANIMALS OFFER ROBUST RETURNS
Iowa State economists recently released reports detailing the economic benefits of reducing nutrients in Iowa’s water and the impact of the ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State explored potential economic benefits to drinking water, recreation and health through meeting the targets of Iowa's statewide strategy for reducing nutrients. The study found reducing nitrates and improving water quality would increase recreation benefits, and may reduce adverse health outcomes. An independent study by Iowa State economists found the ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory delivers a robust return on investment for taxpayers and a sense of stability for Iowa’s animal agriculture industry.
DRIVING IOWANS INTO THE FUTURE WITH VIRTUAL REALITY
A virtual reality simulation designed at Iowa State allows Iowans to see the I-74 Mississippi River Bridge as it will look when completed. Nir Keren, an associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, oversaw the simulation’s design. The system allows users to simulate driving across the completed bridge, view it from multiple angles, and even dive under water. The project, located between Davenport and Moline, is scheduled to be finished in 2021. More
TIDGREN LEADS AGRICULTURAL LAW AND TAXATION CENTER
Kristin Tidgren has been named director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation. Tidgren joined the center as a staff attorney in 2013 and has been serving as its assistant director for the past two years. The Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation provides timely, objective information to agricultural producers, professionals and agribusinesses and is a primary source of professional educational training in agricultural law and taxation. More
TAKING PLASTICS FROM WASTE TO RESOURCE
Keith Vorst, associate professor of food science and human nutrition, works with corporations to find new uses for recycled plastics. The leader of the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium at Iowa State, said he’s looking to both add value to products and save money. “We’re creating technologies that will have companies mining landfills and the oceans for plastic,” Vorst said. The consortium’s research could lead to new uses for recycled plastics across a variety of industries from food and beverage, to automotive, to clothing. More
CYCLONES POWER ON TO MED SCHOOL
Iowa State has a strong support system for pre-med and pre-health students, even without a college of human medicine or pre-health committee. Advisers and students, including Cole Wesselman, a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences junior in biology, say the opportunities in coursework, activities, research and study abroad inspire students to continue on a path to medicine. Wesselman is a member of the pre-medical club and he does volunteer work in Ames. He plans to participate in international missions, such as Doctors Without Borders, and then practice medicine in a small Midwest town. More
TURF TEAM TOPS IN NATION
A team of Iowa State University Turf Club members placed first in the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Student Challenge on Jan. 18. Three other teams from Iowa State also competed in the contest challenging participants’ knowledge in the sports turf industry. Students used knowledge gained from study sessions, classes and internships to help with the exam. The winning team received a cash award, a plaque and medallions for each team member. The prize money will benefit Iowa State’s turf program and create opportunities for students pursuing careers in sports turf management. More
BIG DATA FOR SMALL, MEDIUM FARMERS FEB. 26-27
An Iowa State University workshop will examine how Big Data can benefit agricultural producers Feb. 26-27 at the Scheman Center in Ames. The Big Data for (Sm)all Farmers Workshop was organized to inform farmers of small and medium sized operations about current and future big data research, resources and technologies. Registration requested and available the day of the event. More
REGISTER TODAY FOR IOWA WATER CONFERENCE
The Iowa Water Center is accepting registrations for the 2018 Iowa Water Conference, scheduled for March 21-22 in Ames. The Iowa Water Conference is the largest outreach and collaboration effort of the Iowa Water Center and is designed to bring together multi-disciplinary organizations and institutions to discuss relevant water issues across Iowa. More
MORE COLLEGE NEWS
Alumni News
SUKUP ELECTED INTO NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING
 Charles Sukup (’76 ag engineering, ’82 MS) has been elected into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). He is one of 83 new members and 16 foreign members elected on Feb. 7. There are 2,293 members of the NAE. Election into the NAE is considered the highest professional distinction accorded an engineer. Sukup was elected for his contributions to the design and manufacturing of agricultural equipment for grain handling and storage. Sukup is president of Sukup Manufacturing Co. located in Sheffield, Iowa. More
HUNTER HONORED AS IOWA EMERGING IOWA LEADER
 Jacob Hunter (’11 ag and life sciences education), of Davenport, has been named the 2018 Emerging Iowa Leader by the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Hunter is the agricultural educator and FFA adviser at North Scott High School in Eldridge. He leads the only high school agriculture program in Scott County which includes students from neighboring school districts. Hunter, a member of the college’s young alumni program The Curtiss League, formerly served as the director of Iowa education programs for the World Food Prize Foundation. More
ALUMNI TESTIFY AT SENATE, HOUSE COMMITTEES
Dylan Clark (’14 global resource systems), program manager for McGill University, testified in front of Canada’s Senate Fisheries and Oceans Standing Committee on Feb. 13. Clark shared findings from the Climate Change Adaptation Research Group about Inuit land-use and search and rescue. Kevin Kimle (’91 MS economics), director of the ISU Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative, spoke in front of the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade during a hearing titled, “Restoring Rural America: How Agritech is Revitalizing the Heartland” on Feb. 15.
LALLY HONORED BY IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Joe Lally (’72 farm operation, ’99 MS professional ag), a certified crop adviser near Denison, received the Secretary’s Iowa Ag Leader Award from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Lally received the award at the Agribusiness Association of Iowa’s Showcase and Conference at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on Feb. 16. More
ALUMNI HONORED BY IOWA PORK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
Gregg Hora (’82 farm operation), a farmer near Fort Dodge, has been named president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) board of directors. Rob Stout (’78 farm operation), a farmer near Washington, received the 2017 Iowa Environmental Steward Award from IPPA. Alumni named 2017 Master Pork Producers by the Iowa Pork Producers Association are: Alyce Nieland (’10 agronomy, animal science), a farmer near Breda; Daniel Gent (’08 ag studies), a farmer near Wellman; Stuart Swanson (’90 ag business), a farmer near Galt; Mark Dolan (’03 ag systems technology), a farmer near Masonville; and Chad Berentschot (’95 animal science), a production supervisor with Pipestone System in Inwood. John Patience, ISU professor of animal science, also was named an Honorary Master Pork Producer.
AGR HOUSE CELEBRATES GROWTH
The Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) fraternity celebrated its 104th Founders Day celebration on Feb. 10 with a ribbon cutting for its new $4-million renovation. The project is the largest in the organization’s history in terms of both dollars raised and number of participating donors. Alumni awards also were presented to: Kenneth Isley (’84 ag and life sciences education), Mark Stutsman (’85 farm operations) and Scott Stutsman (’86 ag studies), Arlen Wonderlich (’70 animal science, ’73 DVM), Glenn Fuhr (’95 ag business) and Paul Heineman (’80 ag mechanization). The Iowa State Eta chapter is the largest AGR chapter in the country, and it has been recognized by their national organization for excellence in lifelong membership development, recruitment and presenting a positive image of the fraternity’s promise and values. More
YOUNG ALUMNI OFFER THOUGHTS ON FUTURE OF FARMING
More than 135 people attended a panel discussion and screening of the film Farmers for America on Feb. 20 at the Iowa State University Alumni Center. The event was co-sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Iowa State University Beginning Farmers Network, the Iowa State University Beginning Farmers Center, the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative and Practical Farmers of Iowa. Panelists were (left to right): Kellie Blair (’06 forestry, agronomy), AKR Farm near Dayton; Nicole Jonas (’02 horticulture), Red Granite Farm in rural Boone County; Graham Meriwether, the director, writer, producer and cinematographer of Farmers for America; Ben Wikner, a senior in agricultural studies and farmer from Farmersburg; Scott Henry (’12 ag business, international ag, finance), LongView Farms, Nevada.
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