College News

RESEARCHERS LOOK AT BREEDING MUNG BEAN FOR PLANT-BASED PROTEIN MARKET

Iowa State plant breeders and researchers are working to develop a new crop suited for the plant-based protein market. The “unsung mung” is a drought tolerant, nitrogen fixing legume that can be used as a plant-based protein source and is currently used in numerous edible food products around the world. The interdisciplinary team of researchers led by Arti Singh, assistant professor of agronomy, has received a grant from USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. More

CYCLONE POWER PULLERS CELEBRATE 25 YEARS, TOP PLACINGS AT COMPETITION

Safety, tractor performance and maneuverability are just a few components the Iowa State Cyclone Power Pullers club focuses on each year as they build their 1/4 scale tractor. This year’s tractor was special because it represents the 25th anniversary of the club’s involvement in the annual ASABE International 1/4 Scale Tractor Student Design Competition. The club placed fourth overall for their tractor and brought home many awards from individual events. More

BRINGING THE FUTURE OF AG AUTOMATION INTO THE CLASSROOM

Matt Darr, agricultural and biosystems engineering, wants to make sure that when students graduate, they are trained to adapt and solve problems in the complex world of agricultural technology. In ABE 410, class is not only about machine design. Students build automated systems that link mechanical, electrical and hydraulic components together. Through projects like these, students gain hands-on experience and take away team building and communication skills. More

IOWA STATE HITS RECORD EXTERNAL FUNDING

Iowa State attracted a record $601.7 million in total external funding for the 2022 fiscal year that ended June 30. These externally funded research projects include ones studying new approaches to cover crops and using genome sequencing data to understand disease mutations. More

DMACC, IOWA STATE LAUNCH NEW PROGRAM FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS

Thousands of students begin their quest for a bachelor’s degree at one of Iowa’s community colleges before transferring to a four-year institution. Iowa State and Des Moines Area Community College launched a new program to make the transfer process even smoother for their shared students. More

IOWA STATE GEARING UP FOR DISPLAY AT FARM PROGRESS SHOW

The 2022 Farm Progress Show is Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 in Boone, Iowa. Iowa State will have staffed displays pertaining to nine key content areas: water quality, weeds, plant health, digital agriculture, farmland ownership trends, weather and climate, monarchs, carbon and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. More

ISU EXTENSION AND OUTREACH RESOURCES, EVENTS

• Test your weed identification skills at Iowa State Fair
• Attract butterflies and other pollinators to your garden and landscape
• Fruit and vegetable crop budgets available for specialty growers
• Seed Science Center helps growers obtain and plant quality seed
• Yard and Garden: Growing beans in the home garden

These are just a few of the many new and updated resources and upcoming events from ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources. See more.

Alumni News

REMINDER: RSVP NOW FOR CALS BBQ

Make plans to attend the college’s annual alumni BBQ on Sept. 3, 9 a.m. - noon at the Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center, prior to the Iowa State vs. Southeast Missouri State football game! Visit with fellow alumni, students, faculty and friends and enjoy remarks at 10 a.m. by Daniel J. Robison, holder of the endowed dean's chair in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Bring your family for hands-on activities with CALS student organizations, balloon animals, a complimentary breakfast and more! A freewill donation (suggested $5 per person) to help defray meal costs will be accepted at the door. Registration requested by Aug. 23. Register online or via email to amweeks@iastate.edu or call 515-294-0705. More

NICKERSON INDUCTED INTO AG RELATIONS COUNCIL HALL OF FAME

Greg Nickerson ('81 ag journalism), Bader Rutter chairman and former CEO, has been named the newest member of the Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame. During his three decades at the advertising and marketing agency, Nickerson has seen Bader Rutter more than triple in size and diversify its client base. More

KAITANY GIVES BACK IN HIS RETURN TO KENYA

Richard Kaitany ('83 plant pathology, '89 MS) and his wife, Andrea, recently opened Simbolei Girls' Preparatory Academy in Iten, Kenya. Kaitany grew up on a farm near Iten before coming to the United States to attend Iowa State on a track and cross country scholarship. Seeing a need for an all-girls school in Kenya's Rift Valley, the couple began plans to construct a school to meet that need and encourage the girls to seek scholarships to further their education in the United States. More

HAGE AND FAMILY ENTREPRENEURING FOR EYESIGHT

Alex Hage ('16 ag business) is not too far into his professional career, but has already considerably exercised the entrepreneurial mindset and skillset he started to develop while at Iowa State. He and his father began Blind Butcher Brewing inside a remodeled shed on the family's farm north of Inwood, Iowa. Tips generated from brewery customers are donated to the Institute for Vision Research, an organization near and dear to the hearts of the Hage family. More

Young Alum of the Month

Rebekah Sletten ('19 ag business, international ag) found her passion for agriculture at a young age. As a student at Iowa State, she was involved with the student leadership team for what is now called Start Something College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (formerly the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative). She says this experience has now come full circle for her as she serves as public affairs manager for America's Cultivation Corridor. More

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