College News

ZOOM-IN ON WATER QUALITY RESERCH

A new, online Iowa water quality research map has been launched by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at ISU. The “zoomable” map, shows locations of water quality research projects. Each pin on the map links to a project description, contacts and relevant research reports or publications. More

CALS STUDENT SHARES VISION IN D.C.

Adam Bittner, junior in global resource systems, is only the second ISU student in 35 years selected to attend the Farm Foundation Round Table Cultivator Program in Washington, D.C. Bittner shared his experiences and perceptions of the future of agriculture with industry leaders during the three-day program. More

FIGHTING FOODBORNE ILLNESSES

Nearly half of the nation’s foodborne illness outbreaks are linked to eating fruits, vegetables or nuts. CALS researchers and extension and outreach professionals are working to help fruit and vegetable growers and food processors throughout the Midwest improve practices to lead to a safer food supply. More

NEW CO-OP SUPPORTS ISU FEED MILL

NEW Cooperative has committed a $350,000 gift to ISU’s feed mill and grain science complex, the latest organization to commit to the facility. NEW Cooperative, Inc. is a farmer-owned, value-added grain, agronomy, energy and feed cooperative headquartered in Fort Dodge, Iowa. More

THINK SAFETY FIRST WHEN EMPTYING GRAIN BINS

Following the wet and late harvest of 2019, conditions may be dangerous for emptying grain bins. Getting spoiled grain out of storage poses an increased risk for entrapment and suffocation. Check out ISU Extension and Outreach resources that offer safe choices to prevent grain entrapments, avoid suffocation and improve grain quality. More

CALS STUDENT VIES FOR MISS U.S. AGRICULTURE

Winning the Iowa Miss United States Agriculture title was the first step in promoting the agricultural industry for Alexis Stine, a junior in animal science. As she prepares to represent Iowa at the national pageant in June, Stine is working on “Growing the Next Platform.” A platform she wrote for the pageant to advocate and promote agriculture. More

BETTER HANDLING FOR SICK OR INJURED SWINE

ISU researchers are developing practical procedures for humanely transporting sick or injured pigs. The team adapted handling tools to reduce stress for pigs and improve safety for caretakers. More

DANCE MARATHON BREAKS RECORDS

Riley Wilgenbusch, senior in agronomy and global resource systems, served as the director of the 23rd annual ISU Dance Marathon which attracted a record number of students and raised more than $340,000 for the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital. More

BEATTIE NAMED INTERIM CHAIR OF PLANT PATH, MICROBIOLOGY

Gwyn Beattie, the Robert Earle Buchanan Distinguished Professor of Bacteriology for Research and Nomenclature, began her duties as interim chair of the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at ISU on Jan. 15. More

Connect with CALS

Washington D.C. March 3

Join Daniel J. Robison, holder of the Endowed Dean's Chair in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and John Lawrence, vice president of ISU Extension and Outreach for a reception at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Tuesday, March 3, from 5-7 p.m. for a widely attended event. Appetizers and refreshments provided. RSVP online by Friday Feb. 28.

Minneapolis, Minn. April 3

Alumni and friends are invited to connect with CALS at a reception in Minneapolis on April 3 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP online by March 27. Special guests will be students, faculty and alumni attending the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences national conference. Guests are not required to register for the conference to attend the reception.

 

Alumni News

HANDSAKER NAMED CALS EMERGING IOWA LEADER

Jacob Handsaker (’04 ag studies), of Radcliffe, Iowa, has been named the 2020 Emerging Iowa Leader by the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Handsaker is a farmer and co-owner of Hands-On Excavating. More

BURRES EARNS IOWA SOYBEAN NEW LEADER AWARD

Reed Burres (’17 ag business, international ag), center, owner of AgriPeril Risk Management, LLC, was recognized with the New Leader Award from the Iowa Soybean Association. More

FINGER NAMED WISCONSIN OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARMER

Laura Finger (’03 dairy science), right, and her husband Phil, were recently named Wisconsin’s Outstanding Young Farmers. The couple are fifth-generation dairy farmers in Oconto and Marinette Counties. More

ALUMS HONORED BY IOWA PORK PRODUCERS

Several College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumni were recently honored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Alyce Nieland (’10 animal science, agronomy), pictured above right, together with her husband Aaron, were honored with the Iowa Pork Producers Association All-American Award. Don Beerman (’71 animal science), retired professor and chair of the ISU Department of Animal Science, was named an Honorary Master Pork Producer. Shamus Brown (’08 animal science, ’11 MBA, ’13 DVM), director of multiplication for Iowa Select Farms; was named a Master Pork Partner. Javan Kruse (’07 ag studies), a farmer near Hartley; Ryan Tripp (’96 ag studies), a farmer near Dows; and Brent Tripp (’93 ag business, international ag), a farmer near Eldora, were honored as a 2019 Master Pork Producers.

GARDENING WITH STEIL ON IOWA PBS

A new gardening show on Iowa Public Television featuring Aaron Steil (’05 horiculture, biology) assistant director of ISU’s Reiman Gardens debuts this weekend. “Gardening with Steil” will premire March 1 at 2:30 p.m. Select episodes also feature Cindy Haynes, associate professor of horticulture (pictured with Steil above). More

Young Alum of the Month

Jennifer Jensen (’16 biology, environmental science, agronomy), is the manager of sustainable practices and environmental analytics for Sustainable Environmental Consultants. Jensen coordinates client projects and manages operations including collecting, storing, analyzing, verifying and quantifying data to generate environmental impact values. More

Faculty In Memorium

P. Jeffrey Berger, emeritus professor of animal science, died Feb. 11. He was 76. Berger taught graduate students and conducted research in dairy cattle breeding at ISU for 38 years. He was a fellow of the American Dairy Science Association and was awarded the J.L. Lush Award for Animal Breeding and Genetics by the ADSA in 2008. His visitation and funeral will be March 16 at Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames. More 


 
 

Have thoughts about the new design of STORIES Online? Want to share career news and accomplishments with fellow alumni and friends or have an address update?

Email editor Melea Reicks Licht at mreicks@iastate.edu.

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