A new chapter begins 
 

College News

SENSING WHAT PLANTS SENSE

Iowa State researchers are using advanced data analytics to help understand how the environment interacts with genomics in corn, wheat and oats. The results could lead to more accurate and faster models that will allow plant breeders to develop crop varieties with desirable traits. More

SURVEY SHOWS IOWA LAND RENTS UP SIGNIFICANTLY IN 2021

According to the "Cash Rental Rates for Iowa 2021 Survey," which is conducted annually by ISU Extension and Outreach and available in the May Ag Decision Maker, rates have increased an average of 4.5%, an increase of about $10 per acre, for a total per-acre rent of $232. "This is the first substantial increase in cash rents since 2013," said Alejandro Plastina, extension economist. More

INNOVATIVE TECH SUPPORTS STUDIES AT ISU RESEARCH FARMS

New precision equipment on Iowa State research farms is enhancing efficiency and accuracy, putting innovation to work. The automated C-Lock Super SmartFeed System is being used to monitor cattle feed intake, and researchers are gearing up to test a smart manure spreader fitted with a device billed as the top precision application controller. More

POLLINATING INSECTS CAN HELP SOYBEAN YIELDS

Insects can help soybean yields by carrying out more effective pollination, according to a new study by an international team of scientists including Lisa Schulte Moore, natural resource ecology and management. Results suggest adding pollinator habitat to soybean fields may lead to production and environmental benefits. More

NEW CONSERVATION STATION UNVEILED

A new trailer named “Marsh Madness” combines sight, sound and science to engage Iowa audiences about the values of the state’s wetland ecosystems. The trailer is the latest addition to a fleet of Conservation Stations developed and operated by Iowa Learning Farms and the Water Rocks! conservation education program. More

ISU EXTENSION AND OUTREACH RESOURCES, EVENTS

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

ANGEL HONORED FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Photo of Roselina Angel

Roselina Angel (’84 animal science, ’87 MS, ’90 PhD), professor of monogastric nutrition at the University of Maryland, was recognized with the 2021 Poultry Science Association Distinguished Poultry Industry Career Award. The award was sponsored by the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, and recognizes distinctive and outstanding contributions by an industry leader.

CALS ALUMS HONORED BY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Several CALS alumni and faculty members were among the honorees of the 2021 Soil and Water Conservation Society Awards. Awards are presented to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions advocating and advancing the conservation of soil, water and related natural resources.

  • Lijing Gao (’16 MS rural sociology, journalism and mass communication), graduate student in the ISU Department of Sociology, Kenneth E. Grant Research Scholarship
  • Catherine DeLong (’14 MS soil science, environmental science), water quality program manager for ISU Extension and Outreach, Chair’s Leadership Award
  • Mark Rasmussen (’96 MBA), director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Best Research Paper for Impact and Quality Honorable Mention
  • Don Wysocki (’83 PhD agronomy), extension soil scientist for Oregon State University, Fellow Award
  • Jerry Hatfield (’75 PhD agronomy), retired lab director for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Best Research Paper for Impact and Quality Honorable Mention
  • Jean Eells (’79 botany, ’96 MS education, ’08 PhD ag and life sciences education), owner of E Resources Group, LLC, Conservation Professional of the Year Award, WiN Individual Award of Excellence
  • Lynn Betts (’70 ag journalism), retired communications officer for the USDA Natural Resources Conversation Service, Fellow Award
  • J. Arbuckle, associate professor in the ISU Department of Sociology, Associate Editor Excellence Award

LAUVER HONORED AS NEXT GEN LEADER

Andrew Lauver (’12 ag studies), Golden Harvest sales representative, was honored as one of Seed World’s Top 10 Next Gen Leaders. Honorees are considered leaders who can inspire coworkers and be changemakers to improve the seed industry. Lauver was honored by the college as the 2016 Emerging Iowa Leader awardee, and is a member of the college’s young alumni program, Curtiss League.
Photo of Andrew Lauver

MAHER HONORED AS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Photo of Kevin Maher

Kevin Maher (’74 animal science), founder of VetMeasure, Inc, has been honored as the 2021 innovationENTREPRENEUR of the Year, by the Ag Startup Engine. Maher founded VetMeasure, Inc. in 2015 to develop wearable technology supporting veterinary medicine. He previously launched the software company GlobalVetLink, a cloud-based platform managing veterinary document creation, storage and transportation.
 

Young Alum of the Month
Photo of Young alum of the month

Coady Lundy ('15 animal ecology) serves as the lead wildlife biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Plant Health Inspection Service at the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina. In his role, he works to reduce the risk of bird-aircraft collisions and provides leadership and expertise to resolve wildlife conflicts allowing wildlife and people to coexist.
 

FROM THE EDITOR: A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

It has been a pleasure and great honor to share the stories of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and our extraordinary alumni for the past 14 years. On Monday, June 28, I’ll join the staff of the ISU Alumni Association as the senior director of communications and magazine editor.

I look forward to staying in touch and continuing to lift up the great work of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in my new role. Our assistant director of alumni relations Haley Cook also will be making a transition from the college to the Office of the President here at Iowa State as the strategic outreach coordinator. She will be assisting with outreach efforts and coordinating events at The Knoll effective July 19.

Please continue to connect, engage and share what makes you #CALSproud of your alma mater. Look for STORIES Online to arrive next month from calscomm@iastate.edu and for your next STORIES magazine to arrive this fall. 

Thank you for your continued support of the college! 

Warm wishes from central campus,

Melea Reicks Licht

Interim Director of College Relations, Director of Alumni Relations

 

Have feedback to share about STORIES Online?

Want to share career news or accomplishments with fellow alumni and friends?

Email calscomm@iastate.edu.

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