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The 2020 QS World University Rankings of agricultural and forestry programs recently ranked Iowa State University in the top 4% worldwide — 16 out of 401 institutions. (Last year the college was in the top 6%, 18 out of 302). Iowa State University’s agricultural programs remain in the top 10 among U.S. universities (6), up one place from a year ago. In four of the past eight years, Iowa State was ranked in the top 10 worldwide, and as high as number 5 in 2014. More |
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Despite another difficult year in agriculture, cash rents still posted an increase of about 1.4%, according to this year’s Cash Rental Rates for Iowa 2020 Survey. Included in the survey were nearly 1,600 responses from farmers, landowners, professional farm managers, real estate agents and others. Rates across the state averaged $222 per acre, compared to $219 per acre in 2019, the fourth year of relatively stable rates, but at levels about 18% lower than the peak reached in 2013, of $270 per acre. More |
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CALS OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTED BY KLEIN |
Daniel J. Robison, Endowed Dean's Chair of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is establishing an Office of Partnerships with Ray Klein as its inaugural director effective June 1. The CALS Office of Partnerships will create and nurture public-private partnerships that result in new investors and revenues to help fulfill the college’s mission. Klein has served the college 18 years in the development office, including 12 years as the executive development officer. Sarah Roelfs (’02 ag studies) will serve as interim senior director of development. |
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CALS CARRIES OUT AN UNCOMMON CONVOCATION |
The CALS virtual undergraduate convocation ceremony on May 8 honored the college's 792 spring and summer graduates including Kiersten Bean (’20 ag and life sciences education) pictured here celebrating with her grandfather and ISU alum Brent Bean. Individual graduates are also recognized via personalized Merit posts. As part of his remarks Daniel J. Robison, Endowed Dean's Chair of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, shared this quote with graduating seniors from George Washington Carver: “When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.” Vishesh Bhatia (’20 genetics), provided the student convocation video address and the CALS Student Council recognized the following senior award winners:
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Emily Franciskato (’20 genetics), Academic Achievement Award
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Maddy McGarry (’20 ag and life sciences education, international ag), Outstanding Ambassador of Agriculture and Life Sciences Award
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Isabella Shehab (’20 global resource systems), Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Award
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Laura Mincks (’20 ag and life sciences education), Distinguished Service Award
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Alyssa Dougherty (’20 dietetics, global resource systems), Outstanding Senior Award
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McKenna Brinning (’20 animal science), Leadership Excellence Award
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FINDING HER ‘VOICE’ ON THE NATIONAL STAGE |
EllieMae Millenkamp's (’20 ag business) senior year was a whirlwind. It started with her singing debut on NBC’s “The Voice.” She returned to Iowa with a busy schedule of gigs, then the COVID-19 pandemic moved classes online. Millenkamp plans to return to the family farm to work and continue to book future shows as much as possible. More |
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VIDEO: MY FAVORITE CALS MENTOR |
Justin Wigdahl ('20 horticulture) served as CALS student marshal in the university's virtual commencement. He shares about his favorite mentor, Barb Clawson (’83 ag and life sciences education, ’88 MS), in this video. Wigdahl was a CALS ambassador, organized club plant sales, had multiple internships and participated in horticulture and landscape competitions. More |
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CRAFTING CONNECTIONS WITH UGANDA |
After completing the Semester Along the Nile program, Katie Stringer (‘20 global resource systems) created the Uganda Alliance Organization to expand market opportunities for the women of the Tusubila crafts group in Uganda. They sell handmade baskets and jewelry to earn funds for school fees, business development, food and livestock. More |
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MAY IS BEEF MONTH: LOY'S FAVORITE POT ROAST |
May is Beef Month. To celebrate, Dan Loy, professor of animal science and director of Iowa State University's Iowa Beef Center, agreed to share one of his family’s favorite beef recipes — his daughter-in-law’s Mississippi Pot Roast. (Loy added that his smoked brisket also is a family favorite, but his recipe’s a secret.) View Katie Loy’s Mississippi Pot Roast recipe. |
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ENTER YOUR CALS ICE CREAM CREATION |
The newly re-opened creamery in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is hosting an ice cream flavor contest, and alumni are encouraged to participate. Contestants are asked to describe an ice cream concept and why it represents a certain college. Entries are due June 15. Winning entries will be on the menu at Sparks, a student-operated café in the Student Innovation Center. More |
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SCIENCE-BASED COVID-19 RESOURCES |
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FIELD DAYS GO VIRTUAL, FOR NOW |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are no Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms field days scheduled for 2020 at this time. The Horticulture Station demonstration garden field day will be recorded and posted as a virtual field day in late summer, and produce harvested from the gardens will be tallied and donated to local food pantries. The Iowa Learning Farms is hosting a series of virtual field days, and educational events offered by Iowa State University Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and Outreach are updated and archived here. In-person events may be scheduled by field specialists later this summer. The latest COVID protocols for the Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms are available online. |
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The COVID-19 pandemic has many people thinking about ways to produce more of their own food, whether that be through gardening or backyard poultry. “Coronavirus Victory Gardens,” named after the Victory Gardens grown during World War II, are sprouting up all over the United States. Whether researching the right seed varieties for your garden or considering a backyard poultry flock, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has resources that can help. More |
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INTERNS AVAILABLE VIA CALS CAREER SERVICES |
The effects of the pandemic are having significant impacts on employment plans for many CALS students. This is espec- ally true at the internship level. Director Mike Gaul and the Career Services team are working hard to connect students with new opportunities. If you or an employer you know are looking for summer interns, please reach out to Mike at mikegaul@iastate.edu. Tremendous flexibility exists in creating these experiences remotely or following social distancing guidelines. |
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Iowa State University continues to monitor the outbreak of COVID-19. You can find updates and information related to the outbreak on the COVID-19 safety page. |
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EUKEN-MYERS FAMILY HONORED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP |
Michelle (Euken) Myers (’09 ag business) and Steve Myers (’10 ag business) have been honored with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association 2020 Iowa Environmental Stewardship Award. The Myers’ raise cattle and row crops with Michelle’s parents, Jill and Randy Euken, near Lewis, Iowa. They work to reduce emissions and sequester carbon in the soil by using energy efficient equipment, cover crops and minimal tillage. More |
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IOWA FFA ADVISER CREATES PPE FOR LOCAL HEALTH CARE WORKERS |
When the COVID-19 pandemic closed Iowa schools, Bret Spurgin (’11 ag and life sciences education), ag educator and FFA adviser at Charles City High School in Charles City, Iowa, worked with the school district to use his classroom’s 3-D printer to make much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for local medical staff. Since the start of the project, the school’s ag department has purchased another printer to help produce face shields, ear-guards, face-masks and contact-free door openers. More |
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PERFORMANCE LIVESTOCK ANALYTICS TRANSITIONS TO ZOETIS |
Zoetis, one of the nation’s top animal health companies, announced in April it had acquired the Ames-based start up Performance Livestock Analytics. The acquisition reflects a success story for a young company with deep roots in Iowa and Iowa State University. Performance Livestock Analytics was founded in 2015 by Osage, Iowa, natives Dane Kuper (’08 ag studies) and Dustin Balsley, who graduated from Luther College. More |
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FOR STATE RELATIONS OFFICER JENSEN ALL ROADS LEAD TO ISU |
Carolann Jensen (’86 public service and administration in ag, international ag) became Iowa State’s state relations officer last summer. She educates state legislators on issues that impact the regent universities. Jensen came to Iowa State after more than 30 years working for state government. Like most, her work at the statehouse has been impacted by the corona virus pandemic, but she continues to communicate the university’s position on critical issues to legislators. More |
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VIDEO: RUBLE RETIRES AFTER 40 YEARS |
A drive-by tailgate was held May 8 at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center to celebrate the retirement of Marshall Ruble (’78 animal science), manager of the center and long-time beef teaching farm manager. Ruble has been at Iowa State University since 1979 and is well-known in the beef industry locally and nationally. He employed more than 200 students at the Beef Teaching Farm and more than 200 student workers at the Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. Students often express working for Ruble was one of their best experiences on campus. Thanks to Ruble’s leadership, in 2016 the Hansen Center received the Iowa State University Alumni Association’s Impact Award. |
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Want to share career news or accomplishments with fellow alumni and friends? Email editor Melea Reicks Licht at mreicks@iastate.edu. |
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