College News
LAWRENCE NAMED VP FOR ISU EXTENSION AND OUTREACH
After a nationwide search, John Lawrence (’84 animal science, MS ’86 economics) has been appointed vice president for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Lawrence, who has been serving as interim vice president since March 2017, previously served as associate dean in CALS and director of agriculture and natural resources extension and outreach. He joined Iowa State as an assistant professor of economics in 1991, serving as an extension livestock economist. He has served as assistant director of the Agriculture Experiment Station, and director of the Iowa Beef Center. Lawrence also led the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, established in 2013 to develop science-based approaches for reducing the level of nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. More
CALS DEAN SEARCH UPDATE, LISTENING SESSION MARCH 30
The position announcement for the CALS endowed dean was posted early in March. Nominations for the position may be submitted at any time to Guru Rao, associate vice president for research, at gururao@iastate.edu; and David Spalding, dean of the Ivy College of Business, at spalding@iastate.edu. Alumni and friends are invited to participate in a listening session Friday, March 30 at 4 p.m. to share thoughts on qualities desired in the next dean, as well as opportunities and challenges for the college. The session will be held in 1951 Food Sciences Building, CCUR Auditorium, on the Iowa State University campus. Participants also can join online (https://zoom.us/j/298365885) or by phone: (669) 900-6833 (ID# 298365885). More
ABE EARNS TOP RANKINGS IN U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT
Iowa State University’s undergraduate program in agricultural and biosystems engineering (ABE) tied for top honors with Purdue and Texas A&M University in recent rankings released by U.S. News and World Report. The department’s graduate program is one of the country’s best ranked at number two. Other high marks went to the College of Veterinary Medicine, statistics and engineering. More
SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS:
MONARCH CONSORTIUM HONORED, SETS STATE GOALS
The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium was one of four recipients of an Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Leader Award presented at the Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner March 6. The consortium is a community-led organization whose mission is to enhance monarch butterfly reproduction and survival in Iowa through collaborative and coordinated efforts of farmers, private citizens and their organizations. The consortium recently set a goal of acres devoted to monarch butterfly habitat in the state by 2038 – 480,000 to 830,000 acres. The strategy guides the implementation and documentation of a voluntary, statewide conservation effort based on the best available science. More
UNDERSTANDING HURDLES TO COVER CROP ADOPTION
Despite farmers’ positive perceptions about cover crops and the availability of cost-share programs to incentivize their use, Iowa State economists say the return on investment may be the biggest stumbling block to overcome for widespread adoption of the practice. More
According to the Iowa Learning Farms 2017 Field Day Evaluation Report, Iowa cover crop acres grew last year by approximately 22 percent to 760,000 acres. While the positive growth during a time of shrinking profit margins is notable, the rate of growth is 10 percent less than the growth measured in 2016, and still well below the goal of 12.5 million acres of cover crops called for in Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy. More
HUNGER FIGHTERS:
REDUCING FOOD WASTE, GROWING TO GIVE
An Iowa State research team is testing a new online tool to connect those with food donations to food pantries for pickup and distribution. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s new publication, “Top 13 Vegetables to Donate to Food Pantries,” details the type of vegetables food pantries need the most. Gardeners can review the list and plan ahead to donate veggies in top demand.
SOYBEANS DRIVING IOWA EXPORTS TO CHINA
One in every four rows of soybeans grown in the U.S. is exported to China. With trade valued at $21.4 billion in 2016, China is the second-largest agricultural trading partner with the United States, after Canada. Read more from Iowa State economists about the growing partnership between Iowa farmers and China. More
ASMUS TO PRESENT HERTZ LECTURE APRIL 4
Amy Asmus, vice president of the chemical supply company Asmus Farm Supply, will present the 2018 Carl and Marjory Hertz Lecture on Emerging Issues in Agriculture April 4 at Iowa State. Asmus will present, “What Is Possible: Advancing Agriculture Through AGvocacy, Partnerships and Collaboration,” at 7 p.m. in the Dolezal Auditorium, 127 Curtiss Hall, on the Iowa State campus. The event is free and open to the public. Asmus is a native of Walcott and an Iowa State alumna with a degree in graphic design. She joined her husband, Harlan, in running the Asmus family business based in Rake, Iowa, which they purchased from his father in 2004. Asmus Farm Supply was honored with the National Retailer of the Year award November in 2017. More
A PIECE OF HISTORY INSTALLED AT BORLAUG LEARNING CENTER
An oak desk used in the dean’s office by Henry Herbert Kildee, the fourth dean of agriculture at Iowa State, has been donated to the college. Retired extension crop specialist Kay Connelly (’56 farm operation, MS ’68 education), had the desk restored and placed on display in the Borlaug Learning Center at the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Nashua. More
MORE COLLEGE NEWS
Alumni News
NORTHEY SWORN IN AS UNDER SECRETARY FOR USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue administered the oath of office to Bill Northey (’81 ag business) at the Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner March 6 in Des Moines. Northey had served as Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture for more than 11 years. Northey will serve as the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service (FFAS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Northey is a former president of the National Corn Growers Association, served in state and local roles for the Iowa Farm Bureau and is a fourth-generation corn and soybean farmer. More
BAAS HONORED FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
The National Pork Board honored Tom Baas (’72 animal science, ’89 MS, ’90 PhD) with its Distinguished Service Award during the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City on March 1. The award recognizes Baas as an outstanding leader and recognizes his lifelong contribution to the pork industry. A video is available online that provides an overview of Baas’ career. More
SCHLEISMAN NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR CONSERVATION
Mark Schleisman (’86 ag business), a farmer near Lake City, was honored with the Conservation Legacy Award from the American Soybean Association for his commitment to improving soil health and water quality. The award was presented during the annual Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California. Schleisman uses in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices to reduce sediment and nutrients in the water leaving his fields. He worked for ConAgra in their popcorn division before returning home to farm in 2011. Mark and his wife, Melissa, run M&M Farms with their son, Matthew, and son-in-law, Colby Winter. The operation includes 4,500 acres of row crops (including 2,500 acres of popcorn), hay and pasture, a 360-head cow-calf herd, 450-head feedlot and finishing about 30,000 pigs annually. More
PLAGGES NAMED NATIONAL OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARMERS
Ian Plagge (’07 ag business) and Valerie Plagge (’06 ag and life sciences education), farmers near Latimer, were among four national winners selected during the 62nd National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards Congress. The award program selects recipients based on their agricultural career, practices to conserve soil and water and contributions to community, state and national wellbeing. The Plagges own and manage hog finishing barns and farm corn and soybeans. Ian assists with the management of his family’s seed business, and Valerie participates in the Common Ground online community and writes a blog, Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids. More
LASCO NAMED PIG FARMER OF TOMORROW
Emma Lasco (’16 animal science) was named a 2018 Pig Farmer of Tomorrow by the National Pork Board during the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City, Missouri. Lasco, territory manager for Smithfield Foods Midwest Production in Roland, assists growers with implementing Smithfield’s animal care standards. The award recognizes farm leaders, ages 18 to 20, who intend to work in the swine industry in future years and are committed to raising pigs using the pork industry’s ethical principles. More
BERGSTROM HONORED FOR EARLY CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
Jon Bergstrom (’92 ag studies), senior technical support manager and market development manager for DSM Nutritional products in Marshall, Missouri, was honored with the Outstanding Early Career Agribusiness Award by the American Society of Animal Science. Bergstrom specializes in swine nutrition, working with the company’s staff and customers to improve animal nutrition, health and welfare. The award recognizes an individual who has made significant positive impacts on products and services offered by their employer. More
CARLSON EARNS IOWA AGRICULTURE LEADER AWARD
Sarah Carlson (MS '08 crop production and physiology, sustainable agriculture), was one of four recipients of an Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Leader Award presented by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig at the Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner March 6. Carlson is the strategic initiatives director for Practical Farmers of Iowa. She helps farmers share practical advice and knowledge about cover crops and small grains, and she builds partnerships to grow markets and support research for small grains and cover crops in Iowa and the Midwest. More
HANNA HONORED FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
Mark Hanna (’73 ag engineering, MS ’75, PhD ‘91), a retired agricultural and biosystems engineering specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, received the 2018 Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service Award at the 2018 Iowa Master Farmer Awards Day on March 22 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Hanna retired last October after 42 years at Iowa State. His first job with ISU Extension was as a soil, water and waste management specialist in 1975. Hanna’s research and extension efforts were related to tillage, planting and nutrient management. More
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