ANR News
 
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                                       Vol. 10, #7
 
This electronic newsletter from Extension to Agriculture and Natural Resources will be sent on an occasional basis to ag field specialists and all CEEDs. It is intended to provide current information to its readers. Let us know of topics you would like addressed.
 
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IN THIS EDITION:
 
Jerry's Comments
Staff Highlights
Celebrate Aldo Leopold's Iowa Legacy in April
Food Safety Institute Symposium Set for April 19
2006 Staniforth Lecture in Weed Science April 25 at Iowa State
Innovative Programming
Iowa Farmer Today
Research and Demonstration Farm Field Days Begin June 19
ISU Studies Relationship of Swine Dust and Odor
New Director for Iowa Agricultural Statistics Service
FDA Lists Food Defense Acronyms
Master Conservationist Program
Funding Opportunities
Selected Calendar of Events
ANR Field & State Staff Directory Update
 
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JERRY'S COMMENTS

Americans have made major investments during the past 70 plus years to protect and conserve soil and water resources. These investments have had a very positive impact on the status of the nation’s resources. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture recently completed a series of listening sessions to gather input to help shape the next farm bill. Review of comments submitted for the conservation title suggest that many individuals and groups recognize that more work is needed to protect the nation’s soil and water resources. The summary of the comments submitted are posted by category at http://www.usda.gov/documents/Farm_Bill_Comments_Summary.htm

An article published in the April 14, 2006, edition of the Writer’ Almanac reminds us that much work has been accomplished, but the task is not complete.

“Today is the anniversary of Black Sunday, the day in 1935 when a windstorm hit
a part of the Great Plains known as the Dust Bowl. That area of farmland,
which included parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and
Texas, was considered some of the most fertile land in America at the turn of
the twentieth century. Farmers flocked to the area and the wide use of
mechanical tractors had plowed up millions of acres of land. When a drought
hit the area in the 1930s, and all that plowed-up earth turned to dust.

On this day in 1935, the weather was sunny and calm. People were on their way
home from church, or out visiting friends for lunch, when they saw huge flocks
of birds flying south, away from a dark black cloud on the northern horizon.
As the cloud approached, people realized that it wasn't a storm cloud, but a
cloud of dirt, blown up by the wind.

Witnesses said it was like a black tidal wave came down from the sky. It
became as dark as night as soon as the cloud descended. Static electricity
stalled cars and shorted out telephone lines. People standing a few yards away
from their homes got lost in the darkness.

Coincidentally, it was four years later on this day in 1939 that John
Steinbeck published his novel about the farmers displaced by the Dust Bowl
drought: The Grapes of Wrath.”

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STAFF HIGHLIGHTS

Tom Baas, associate professor of animal science, recently received a Mission Award presented by the The Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society.  The award is given to faculty in the College of Agriculture who have made exceptional contributions in helping Iowa State University achieve its mission in the area of extension education.

Congratulations to Elaine Edwards who has been named the 2006 winner of the Media Relations Special Interest Group (SIG) Award of Excellence by the Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences (ACE).  The Award of Excellence recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the SIG area as well as leadership and involvement in the ACE.  Elaine will receive the award at the ACE International Meeting this June in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
 
Roger McEowen has been named the Leonard Dolezal Professor in Agricultural Law. McEowen, an associate professor of agricultural law and policy in the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies, joined the Iowa State faculty in 2004. Details: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news/2006releases/dolezal.html

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CELEBRATE ALDO LEOPOLD'S IOWA LEGACY IN APRIL

Gov. Tom Vilsack has proclaimed April as Aldo Leopold Month. The resolution honors Leopold's lifetime contributions to natural resource management philosophy and practice and to the science of wildlife management. Learn more: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2006/leopoldmonth_032806.htm

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FOOD SAFETY INSTITUTE SYMPOSIUM SET FOR APRIL 19

The first annual symposium of Iowa State's Institute for Food Safety and Security will include food safety and security experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Animal Health Institute and International Food Information Council. The symposium, "Safe and Secure Food for Public Health and National Security," will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 19, at the Comfort Suites Hotel, 2609 Elwood Drive. More: http://www.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2006/apr/experts.shtml

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2006 STANIFORTH LECTURE IN WEED SCIENCE APRIL 25 AT IOWA STATE

Advancement in the field of weed science will be discussed at a lecture at Iowa State University on April 25.

Douglas Buhler, associate director of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and associate dean for research for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, will present the 2006 Staniforth Lecture. It is titled, "The Evolution of Weed Science, Now What?" It will be presented at 4:10 p.m. in room 2050 Agronomy Hall.

The Staniforth Lecture series is presented in honor of David W. Staniforth and is sponsored by the Staniforth Fund in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State. Staniforth was a pioneer in the field of weed science and was particularly interested in weed biology and ecology. His experience spanned the development of modern herbicide technology, beginning with work on the mode of action of 2,4-D and continuing through refinements in weed control systems including the development of weed control systems for conservation tillage.

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INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING

Participants attending the Iowa Bankers Association Annual Ag Conference in Ames on March 20th were able to view first hand the use Macro Media Breeze being utilized by ISU Extension.  Breeze Presenter featuring Crop Price & Weather Outlook and Crop Marketing & Insurance Strategies were used to provide a review of timely subject matter and to better meet the diverse educational needs of the audience.
 
These presentations could be viewed by participants prior to attending the March 20th  Conference or upon returning to their place of business.  The live interaction allowed for a more focused discussion on crop marketing strategies totaling 30 minutes on a busy 2-day conference agenda. Here's the link:

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/polk/farmmanagement.htm
 
Simply click on the icon titled Crop Price & Weather Outlook or Crop Marketing & Insurance Strategies and follow the instructions.  Note that clients need to know that the Breeze technology being featured works best with high speed Internet and no additional software will be needed.  Also note another link on this site allows participants to print off the featured slides in advance of reviewing the presentations and notes can be taken.  Other ISU web sites are noted at the conclusion to the Breeze presentations.   For more information, contact Steve Johnson, Extension Farm Management Specialist.

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IOWA FARMER TODAY

Iowa Farmer Today is putting more emphasis in their Iowa Reports/Calendar page.  They moved the page to where it will run every week and not be subject to the whims of advertising space.  News can be sent to reports@iowafarmertoday.com.  Please contact Jean McGuire if you have questions at: jmcguire@iastate.edu

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RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION FARM FIELD DAYS BEGIN JUNE 19

Two anniversary celebrations mark this year's Research and Demonstration Farms field days. The Northern Research Farm will host its 75th anniversary on Sept. 8. The McNay Research Farm will hold its 50th anniversary celebration on Sept. 14. This year's 17 field days begin June 19 at the Horticulture Station near Ames with a day devoted to fruit and vegetable topics. The Agricultural Engineering and Agronomy Farms west of Ames will have a field day Aug. 24. The farms will host eight Demonstration Home Garden Field Days beginning on July 24 at the Northwest Research Farm location near Sutherland. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/farms/fielddays.html

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ISU STUDIES RELATIONSHIP OF SWINE DUST AND ODOR

Iowa State researchers recently conducted laboratory studies that found small dust particles carry more odor per weight and surface area than coarse dust. Learn more: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news/2006releases/dustodor.html

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NEW DIRECTOR FOR IOWA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE

Jim Sands, director of Iowa Agricultural Statistics Service, retired last week after 37 years of public service. The new director will be Joseph Prusacki, chief of the National Agricultural Statistics Service Crops Branch in Washington D.C. He will begin his duties in May.

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FDA LISTS FOOD DEFENSE ACRONYMS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has posted a list of food defense acronyms, abbreviations and definitions. More: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsdefs.html .

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MASTER CONSERVATIONIST PROGRAM

The Master Conservationist Program trains individuals who share an interest in the sustainability of Iowa's natural resources and who would like become better natural resource stewards in their communities.  In order for individuals to make informed, intelligent decisions, they need to have accurate information. Master Conservationists are given the information necessary to make lifestyle changes that contribute to sustainability, through hands-on course work taught by experts in their field.
 
Topics must include, but are not limited to:
* ecological principles and techniques,
* wildlife diversity,
* woodlands,
* prairies and grasslands,
* wetlands and waterways,
* sustainable agriculture and land use, and
* energy use and waste reduction.
 
In response for the 32 hours of hands-on training, the participants are then entitled to provide 32 hours of volunteer service back to their community. It is a great way to both educate and create dedicated volunteers.

Currently the 2006 Hosts are:

1) Polk County
2) Blackhawk County
3) Des Moines and Louisa Counties
4) Johnson, Washington, and Iowa Counties
5) Jackson and Clinton Counties
6) Pocahontas and Calhoun Counties

The most successful programs include involvement and sponsorship by both County Extension and County Conservation Boards.  The program is willing to include a few more counties for 2006.  For more information, contact Annabel Lee Major at: annabel@iastate.edu.   A downloadable brochure and a current listing of programs is available at:
 
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/wildlife/MCP/MCPhome.html

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program,  United States Department of Agriculture, CSREES

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service announces the availability of grant funds and requests applications for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) for fiscal year (FY) 2006 to support: (1) the development of Community Food Projects with a one-time infusion of Federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining; (2) projects that provide Training and Technical Assistance on a nationwide or regional basis to entities interested in developing new Community Food Projects or assisting current grantees; and (3) Planning Projects to assess the food security needs and plan long-term solutions to help ensure food security in communities. The amount available for support of this program in FY 2006 is approximately $4,600,000. A two-step process for applying for a CFPCGP grant has been established for FY 2006. Eligible applicants are now required to submit a 500-word Letter of Intent. Applicants of acceptable Letters of Intent will be invited to submit a full application. Letters of Intent should contain: (1) a descriptive title of the proposed project; (2) names and roles of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel, along with their institutions; and, (3) a brief statement of approaches and objectives. These Letters will be screened for relevance and invitations to submit a full application will be issued only to those applicants that have submitted an acceptable Letter of Intent. Community Food Projects should be designed to (1): (A) meet the food needs of low-income people; (B) increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs; and (C) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues; and/or (2) meet specific State, local, or neighborhood food and agriculture needs for (A) infrastructure improvement and development; (B) planning for long-term solutions; or (C) the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.  http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=7597

BASICS for Nutrition and Physical Activity Iowa Nutrition Network, Iowa Department of Public Health
 
PURPOSE:  to provide nutrition education programs that serve food stamp-eligible audiences or individuals and families with incomes at or below 185% of poverty.
 
Collaboration with community partners or forming community coalitions is highly recommended.  The project period will be October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007.  The program requires matching funds.  Guidelines are available at:
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/do/notice_of_funds.asp
 
DEADLINE:  April 21, 2006

National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Grants Program, CSREES, USDA
 
PURPOSE:  to develop scientific and professional expertise in targeted areas of food and agricultural sciences.
 
Targeted areas include:  agricultural genomics and bioinformatics; natural resources and the environment; agricultural systems and natural resource engineering; agricultural management and economics; food science; human nutrition; sciences for agricultural biosecurity; and training in sustainable sciences.  Guidelines are available at:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1280
 
DEADLINE:  April 28, 2006 
 

RFP for 2nd Grow Iowa Values Fund
 
The Office of the Vice Provost for Research is pleased to announce the second round of the grants program designed to expand the commercialization of ISU technology.  The grants program is supported by Iowa economic development appropriations to the Board of Regents (Grow Iowa Values Fund).
 
All ISU tenured or tenure-track faculty and staff at P17 or above are eligible to apply.  Fifteen copies of the proposal should be submitted to the primary college of the PI by May 1, 2006. Proposals from Extension Units not connected to a College should be submitted to Michael Ouart by May 1, 2006. 
 
Colleges will rank the proposals from their colleges and submit the proposals to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research by no later than May 17, 2006 for consideration by the Commercialization Team and Proposal Review Committee.  Centers reporting to the Vice Provost for Research (VPR) should submit proposals directly the VPR office by May 1, 2006.
 
Guidelines, review criteria, cover page and budget format are attached.  This information is also available on line at the Vice Provost for Research web site under internal grants: http://www.vpresearch.iastate.edu/docs/applications/GrowIowaApp.pdf
 
Questions regarding this announcement should be directed to Lisa Lorenzen, 4-0926.
 
 
Farmers Market Promotion Program, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

PURPOSE:  promote the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities.

Eligible entities include agricultural cooperatives, local government, nonprofit corporation, public benefit corporation, economic development corporation, and regional farmers market authority.  Eligible entities must be owned, operated and located within one or more of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.  See the guidelines for appropriate project topics. Application materials are available at:

Notice of Funding Availability (Federal Register, March 15, 2006)

FMPP Guidelines

SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)

SF-424A (Budget Information)

SF-424B (Assurances Form)

FMPP Application Checklist

DEADLINE: May 1, 2006.

Watershed Improvement Grant, EPA Region 7
 
PURPOSE:  support project resulting in chemical, physical and/or biological improvements in water quality in a watershed.
 
Grants will range from $50,000 to $100,000.  Four (4) awards are anticipated.  Matching funds are not required.  However, EPA encourages applicants to identify opportunities to leverage other sources of funding as much as possible.  Priority is placed on projects that address agricultural pesticides.  Guidelines are available at: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=7955
 
Applications can be submitted by paper or electronically through Grants.gov.
 
DEADLINE:  May 11, 2006 (paper)
                     May 5, 2006 (OSPA electronic)
   

New Technologies for Ag Extension, CSREES, USDA
 
PURPOSES:  to increase the capacity of each state to contribute expertise and content to the development of eXtension, a national web-based information and education delivery system.
 
Through a cooperative agreement, CSREES plans to support partial deployment of eXtension and enable a technology-conscious national to make use of the valuable information and education that the CES has to offer.  Priorities include acquiring and maintaining state-of-the art technology and software applications, recruiting innovative leaders, staff training and others. See the guidelines for program objectives:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1560
 
Applications may be submitted by the Extension Directors of eligible institutions.  Each institution may submit a maximum of one application for a 3-year period.  Matching resources are not required.
 
I will serve as the point of contact for faculty with project ideas.  Please send a brief description of the concept and budget requirement to me no later than May 1, 2006.  If multiple ideas are submitted, Michael Ouart and Jack Payne will determine which idea(s) should be developed into the proposal for Iowa.
 
DEADLINE:  May 23, 2006 

Conferences, Workshops, and/or Meetings on Environmental Protection topics, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
PURPOSE:  to support conferences and workshops on EPA-related issues.
 
Applicants may request up to $25,000 for major support of small scale, focused meetings and workshops on a specific subject, or for partial support of a larger conference.  Applicants may request up to $75,000 for major support of broader conferences that include a wide range of subjects relating to environmental research.  Cost-sharing is not required. EPA will review applications and make decisions on a quarterly basis beginning approximately April 18, 2006.  To be considered for funding, an application must be received a minimum of three (3) months prior to the start of the conference.
 
The program is offered by the EPA Office of the Science Advisor.  The broad agency announcement is available at: http://www.epa.gov/ord/htm/grantopportunity.htm
 
DEADLINE:  program expires January 18, 2007

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SELECTED CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 19:  Food Safety Symposium - Safe and Secure Food for Public Health and National Security, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Comfort Suites Hotel, 2609 Elwood Drive, Ames. For more information contact Gail Stecker, 515-294-4781.

April 22:  5th Annual Western Iowa Grape Growers Banquet, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Council Bluffs Country Club. For more information go to: http://www.westerniowagrapegrowers.org/

April 25:  2006 Staniforth Lecture, "The Evolution of Weed Science, Now What?" at 4:10 p.m., 2050 Agronomy Hall, ISU Campus.

April 27:  Forestry Field Day, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Dick Jensen Tree Farm, Elgin. For more information contact the Clayton County Extension Office at 563-245-1451.

April 29-30:  Wine Sensory Evaluation Short Course, 9:00 a.m., DMACC Ankeny Campus, Bldg. #7. For more information contact Lois Kiester at 515-964-6685 or lmkiester@dmacc.edu

May 1-3:  Farm Management Field Specialists In Service, 478 Heady Hall, ISU Campus.

May 8-11: National Extension Technology Conference, UF Hilton Conference Center, Gainesville, Florida.  http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/NETC2006/
 
May 14-17:  Fifth Natural Resource Extension Professionals Conference, Park City, Utah.
http://www.anrep2006.org/Home2.cfm?homeextra=yes
 
May 15:  Northwest Iowa Grape Growers' Workshop, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Richard Black Farm, Farnhamville. (Workshop will focus on training systems, trellis construction, and disease management.) For more information contact the Calhoun County Extension Office at 712-297-8611.

May 17:  Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference, Scheman Bldg., Ames. http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/soilmanagement/home.html

June 5-8:  Workshop on Agricultural Air Quality: State of the Science, Potomac, Maryland.  http://esa.org/AirWorkshop/

June 5-9:  61st Annual Agricultural Credit School, Scheman Bldg., Ames. http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/iowaacs/home.html

June 15-17:  2006 Upper Midwest Master Gardeners Conference, Cedar Rapids Marriott. http://www.mastergardener.iastate.edu/info/06uppermidwestmgconf.html

June 21-22:  Farm Progress Hay Expo, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Strawberry Point. http://www.hayexpo.com/ME2/Audiences/Default.asp

July 10-11:  Crop Diagnostic Clinic, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Field Extension Education Laboratory. For more information contact Jerolyne Packer or Brent Pringnitz at 515-432-9548.

July 12:  Southeast Iowa Tiling Demonstration Field Day, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Southeast Research Farm, Crawfordsville.

July 17-18:  Crop Diagnostic Clinic, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Field Extension Education Laboratory. For more information contact Jerolyne Packer or Brent Pringnitz at 515-432-9548.

July 17-21:  2006 Sausage and Processed Meats Short Course, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Meat Laboratory, ISU Campus. http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/processedmeats/home.html

July 19-20: Crop Diagnostic Clinic, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Field Extension Education Laboratory. For more information contact Jerolyne Packer or Brent Pringnitz at 515-432-9548.

August 14:  Northwest Iowa Grape Growers' Workshop, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Richard Black Farm, Farnhamville. (Workshop will focus on grape pre-harvest and harvest issues.) For more information contact the Calhoun County Extension Office at 712-297-8611.

August 22-23:  Manure Management Short Course, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Field Extension Education Laboratory. For more information contact Jerolyne Packer or Brent Pringnitz at 515-432-9548.

August 29-31:  Farm Progress Show, Amana Colonies. http://www.farmprogressshow.com/media/mediamanager/2006FPSAnnouncement.pdf
 
September 6:  Alfalfa Clinic, 8:30 a.m – 5:00 p.m., Field Extension Education Laboratory. For more information contact Jerolyne Packer or Brent Pringnitz at 515-432-9548.

September 11-12:  2006 Extension Annual Conference, Hilton Coliseum and Memorial Union, Ames

September 18:  Northwest Iowa Grape Growers' Workshop, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Richard Black Farm, Farnhamville. (Workshop will focus on vineyard fall clean-up and winter preparation.) For more information contact the Calhoun County Extension Office at 712-297-8611.