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College News
TURNING TRASH INTO TREASURE
Iowa State University’s compost facility, operated by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, takes waste products in many forms – manure, lawn clippings and food waste – and in 12-16 weeks turns them into a nutrient-rich plant growth material used on campus. Some 466 tons of food waste in 2016 alone was made into compost. But the amount of food service waste in the composting stream pales in comparison to the primary source of raw material: cow manure from the ISU dairy farm. CALS grad Steve Jonas ('01 horticulture) manages the operation. More
ISU EXTENSION AND OUTREACH CELEBRATES NITROGEN AND WATER WEEK
Farmers and their consultants can learn how to improve both farm profits and water quality at a series of field days hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The field days are part of ISU Extension and Outreach’s Nitrogen and Water Week, which runs from June 27-29. Join the nitrogen and water discussion using the #NitrogenWeek tag on Twitter. More
CAN PRAIRIES HELP BEES BEEF UP HONEY SUPPLY?
Matthew O’Neal, an associate professor of entomology, and his research group are studying how prairies may help honey bees build sufficient honey stores to last through lean winters. The research group recently received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to further the project. More
ENTOMOLOGIST OFFERS THE BUZZ ON SUMMERTIME SAFETY
They buzz. They bite. And they can transmit serious illnesses in the most severe cases. Ryan Smith, assistant professor of entomology, is encouraging Iowans to take precautions to protect themselves this summer from mosquitoes and ticks, which may carry serious illnesses such as West Nile. More
CALS WELCOMES NEW LEADERSHIP IN EEOB, SOCIOLOGY
 John Nason has been named the chair of the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology (EEOB) effective July 1. Nason has been a professor in the department since 2000. He succeeds Jonathan Wendel, Distinguished Professor, who is returning to the faculty after concluding his term as chair.  Leana Bouffard has been named chair of the Department of Sociology effective July 17. She was previously a professor of criminology and criminal justice at Sam Houston State University where she directed the Crime Victims' Institute. Bouffard succeeds interim chair Paul Lasley, professor of sociology, who is returning to the faculty. EEOB and Sociology are each jointly administered by CALS and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
BRINGING AQUAPONICS TO ISU
Imagine a world where humans can create an almost entirely self-sustaining agricultural system and use it to produce food faster and cheaper than ever before. Now imagine that system sitting in the first-floor lounge of Science Hall II. That is essentially what Allen Pattillo has done with Miniponics 3.0, his latest aquaponics project. “An aquaponics system is a combination of aquaculture, wastewater treatment and hydroponic crop production,” said Pattillo, a fisheries and aquaculture extension specialist in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. More
STUDENTS SECOND IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONTEST
A team of Iowa State students in economics, agricultural business and business economics won second place in written reports at the International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition in Anaheim, California in April. The International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition pits collegiate teams against each other as they run simulated businesses and network with executives from around the world. More
YOU’RE INVITED: CYCLONE NIGHT AT THE GARDENS
Join us for an evening of music, education and Cyclone pride at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden July 27, 5-7 p.m. Guests will enjoy hands-on learning stations including a make-and-take activity, a scavenger hunt highlighting plants developed by Iowa State researchers and live music. A short program at 6 p.m. will feature ISU alum Kelly Norris (’08 horticulture, ’11 MS), director of horticulture. Registration is $10 per person and includes hors’d'oeuvres, admission and activities. A cash bar will be available. Sponsored by the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Iowa State University Alumni Association. Registration requested online by noon on July 20. More
SEEDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FEATURED IN STORIES
The latest STORIES in Agriculture and Life Sciences from Iowa State University will arrive in mailboxes this week. This issue marks the 20th publication of the magazine and features CALS programs and people working to advance economic development. To update your subscription or offer feedback e-mail editor Melea Reicks Licht at stories@iastate.edu.
MORE COLLEGE NEWS
Alumni News
FREESE NAMED TO FOLIO’S TOP WOMEN IN MEDIA
Meredith Agrimedia’s Betsy Freese (’84 ag journalism) has been named to the 2017 class of Top Women in Media by Folio, an organization providing magazine publishing professionals with news, insights and best practices. Freese is an executive editor for Living the Country Life and Successful Farming. The annual program celebrates the creativity, innovation and accomplishments of women in the magazine media industry. Over 200 media professionals, friends and family gathered in New York City to honor the 85-member class earlier this month. More
FARMHER FEATURES CUMINGS
Erin Cumings, associate vice president of agribusiness underwriting at Nationwide Insurance, was featured online and on RFD-TV by FarmHer, an organization highlighting women in agriculture. Cumings (’02 ag business) leads a team assisting farm operations with insurance for the eastern half of the United States. Cumings, a 14-year veteran at Nationwide Insurance, also farms with her family near Prole, Iowa. Read the feature. Watch the RFD-TV video.
SWEARNGIN NEW CHIEF OF IOWA DNR LAW ENFORCEMENT
Jeff Swearngin has been appointed chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau (Iowa DNR). Swearngin (’84 fisheries and wildlife biology) has served as deputy chief of the Bureau since 2015. He previously served as an Iowa DNR conservation officer and Polk County Conservation Board park ranger.
RAMIREZ INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEAN AT ISU VET MED
 Alex Ramirez, associate professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, has been named interim associate dean of academic and student affairs for the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine. Ramirez ('89 animal science) will focus on strengthening career and financial assistance counseling, improving undergraduate and professional student academic advising, working with student organizations, growing and improving the development and administration of scholarships and leading the college's international programs.
CALS ALUMNI JOIN THE FUN AT ZOO BREW
Iowa State University’s colleges partnered with the ISU Alumni Association on a recent young alumni event at the Des Moines Blank Park Zoo. There were several CALS alumni among the 287 Iowa State grads in attendance including Jessica Maciel-Hernandez (’14 microbiology), left, who attended with Jennifer Cam (’14 business). Members of the college’s young alumni initiative, The Curtiss League, volunteered as hosts at the event. Check out photos from the college’s exhibit and a video highlighting the event.
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