ANR News
***************************************************************************
Vol. 11, #1
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.
***************************************************************************
IN THIS EDITION:
Jerry's Comments
Biorenewables "Town Meeting" on Monday
ANR Lunch and Learn
March 27-30 for ANR Professional Development
Reporting Contact Numbers
Ag Career Day
Leopold Center Marketing and Food Systems Initiative Workshop
Economics Hosts Webcast, Mini-Conference on Ethanol
Respirators: What You Need to Know to Protect Farm Workers
Sixth Annual Iowa Organic Conference
ISU Bioeconomy News
Horsequest Extension Site Online
Pork Producer Educational Program Expands
Grape and Wine Institute Gets Regents' Green Light
Corn Research Plots Commemorated
Economists Analyze Ethanol Trade and Prices in a Free Market
Study on Economic Values of Ethanol Production
New Books Announcement Available from MWPS
Inspire Students to Seek Agriculture
Funding Opportunities
Selected Calendar of Events
***************************************************************************
JERRY'S COMMENTS
During the past month several of the seven ANR Extension Plan of Work (POW) teams have met for training and planning. As a result of these sessions several outcomes occurred: 1) professional development training focused on the priorities in the team’s POW, 2) continued discussion about the POW to include identification of priority objectives to be evaluated during the next 6 to 8 months, and 3) renaming these fall and spring sessions, that is, instead of labeling these sessions as “field specialist in-service training” the term “(Name of Team) Team In-Service Training” will be used for future events. This name change implies that the in-service session includes the appropriate field specialists as well as Extension faculty and campus based staff team members and those County Extension Education Directors that wish to participate. Another outcome of the team discussions was the need for ANR Extension to facilitate cross-disciplinary professional development and capacity building. Therefore, March 27-30, 2007, is being held for this activity (see article below).
On October 27, 2006, ANR Extension will kick-off the “ANR Lunch and Learn” session via Breeze (see article below). This will be the first of several sessions planned for delivery during the next 6 to 8 months. I encourage you to join in on the Breeze sessions, and Paul and I welcome your suggestions for future topics that you would like to be addressed through this venue.
Harvest is well underway in Iowa and harvest equipment is present on county and state roads. As the minutes of daylight decrease each day safety and safety procedures needs to be part of the focus for each of us and for Extension clients. Best wishes for a safe harvest season.
***************************************************************************
BIORENEWABLES 'TOWN MEETING' ON MONDAY
A university "Town Hall" meeting on what Iowa State is doing in the area of biorenewables will be held Monday, October 23. President Gregory Geoffroy will present an overview of the area, describe the opportunities, the key initiatives and plans for the future. Everyone who has an interest is invited to attend from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Lee Liu Auditorium, Howe Hall. A reception will follow.
***************************************************************************
ANR LUNCH AND LEARN -- GROWING IOWA'S BIOECONOMY
The first ‘ANR Lunch and Learn’ session will be offered via Breeze from noon to 12:45 pm on Friday, October 27. Jill Euken, Extension Field Specialist, and Steve Fales, Professor of Agronomy, will present information on Growing Iowa's BioEconomy. Their presentation will focus on an overview of the bio-economy initiative and campus-based resources; the short, intermediate, and long-term opportunities of growing Iowa’s bio-economy; and the implications for programming.
Future dates, topics, and presenters already scheduled are:
November 10, New Agricultural Enterprises, Opportunities, and Linkages (Rich Pirog)
December 1, Economic Development: Agriculture (Mary Holz-Clause)
Please mark your calendars now and don’t forget to bring your lunch on these dates!
***************************************************************************
MARCH 27-30 FOR ANR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
New opportunities unfolding in Iowa agriculture are ushering in a new era for Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension programming. Priorities identified and incorporated into the plans-of-work cut across academic departments and development and delivery teams in a manner beyond recent memory.
To facilitate cross-disciplinary programming and to enhance professional capacity building, ANR professional development (a.k.a Spring In-Service) will be held on March 27 through 30, 2007. ANR Extension campus faculty, program staff, and field specialists are asked to hold this block of dates. County Extension Education Directors are invited to participate in any aspect of the professional development agenda -- yet to be determined, so they may want to hold the dates as well.
The first day to day and a half will focus on cross-cutting topics and training for the entire ANR Extension team. Each of the seven development and delivery teams will have the opportunity to meet during the remaining time.
***************************************************************************
REPORTING CONTACT NUMBERS
Several times throughout the year ANR Extension is asked to provide a summary of educational program contacts – number of people attending our educational programs. The only means we have of capturing this data is via the Extension Calendar contact reporting process. County directors, field specialists, campus program staff, and faculty are asked to utilize the Extension Calendar for this purpose and to stay current in their reporting. The following steps will help you navigate to a set of straight-forward instructions.
At the Extension home page http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ click on "Calendar" near the top of the page.
At the Extension Calendar web page http://www.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/ click on "Instructions"
Enter your Username and Password and click the "submit" button
Read through the calendar instructions. https://www.extension.iastate.edu/Comp/calendar.html
***************************************************************************
AG CAREER DAY OCT. 24, LARGEST IN MORE THAN A DECADE
Iowa State's annual Agriculture Career Day has been filled to capacity with recruiting employers three weeks from the event on October 24. The largest agricultural career fair in the nation will have 154 companies at 160 booths recruiting students for jobs and internships. The event will be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Great Hall, Campanile and Regency rooms at the Memorial Union. A list of companies represented at Ag Career day is on the Web at: http://www.career.ag.iastate.edu/agcareerday/career.php
***************************************************************************
LEOPOLD CENTER MARKETING AND FOOD SYSTEMS INITIATIVE WORKSHOP
The second annual Leopold Center Marketing and Food Systems Initiative workshop will be held on Monday, November 6 - at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., with the workshop beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event is free but you must register by November 2 in order to guarantee a lunch ticket. A draft of the full workshop program agenda, along with on-line registration information, can be found at:
http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/research/marketing_files/workshop06/index.htm
***************************************************************************
ECONOMICS HOSTS WEBCAST, MINI-CONFERENCE ON ETHANOL NOV. 13
Experts will offer a variety of perspectives on the corn-based ethanol industry in Iowa in a statewide Webcast and mini-conference on November 13. The conference is sponsored by the Department of Economics. Learn more: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2006/oct/070902.htm
***************************************************************************
RESPIRATORS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT FARM WORKERS
When: November 17, 2006 from 8:30am-2:40pm
Where: Holiday Inn/Hampton Inn Conference Center, Coralville, Iowa
Cost: Complimentary (free) to AgriSafe Network Members and only $30 for those interested in agricultural health!
Registration Due: November 10
This workshop will provide an overview of the appropriate use of respirators to protect farmers. This information includes qualitative and quantitative fit testing and the selection of respirators to best protect farmers. Please review the LINKED brochure and registration form for further details at: http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/icash/RespiratorWorkshopBrochure.pdf
***************************************************************************
SIXTH ANNUAL IOWA ORGANIC CONFERENCE
The Sixth Annual Iowa Organic Conference is scheduled for November 20 in Ames. The world market for organic products reached $25 billion in 2005, with the U.S. portion increasing to $14.6 billion. The demand for organic crops currently exceeds supply and growers are encouraged to consider the potential for organic production. This year's Iowa Organic Conference will include two new sessions: "How to Transition to Organic Farming" taught by farmers who have successfully made the transition, and the inaugural meeting of the Iowa Organic Association, which, along with the ISU Organic Ag Program, has been established to help transitioning and certified farmers with their educational and marketing needs. In addition, there will be presentations on organic grains, vegetables, herbs, fruits, livestock and incentives to get started or enhance marketing skills.
A trade show of organic products and services will be held during the conference with ample time for visiting. An all-organic, four-course lunch will include delicious organic products from Iowa and the Midwest. See registration details at: http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic06/home.html
***************************************************************************
ISU BIOECONOMY NEWS
Iowa State is generating lots of news about the bioeconomy. In order to help you reference these news releases and related materials, John McCarroll, Executive Director, ISU Office of University Relations, announced the development of a news page that can be linked at: http://www.iastate.edu/~biorenew/
************************************************************************
HORSEQUEST EXTENSION SITE ONLINE
HorseQuest is the first eXtension "Community of Practice" to come online at http://www.extension.org/horses. It was developed through eXtension's collaborative tools including a "wiki" environment where community of practice members create, enhance, edit and publish the various components featured on the public web site. Eight more communities with topics ranging from financial security, fire ants, disaster response, parenting, rural entrepreneurship, horticulture and wildlife damage management are set to come online in the next several months. All will feature similar attributes of Frequently Asked Questions, Ask the Experts, news, events and learning modules.
***************************************************************************
PORK PRODUCER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM EXPANDS
Thanks to strong subscriber support and growing demand, the PorkBridge 2006-07 educational series is expanding. The original group of five host universities increases to six. PorkBridge provides relevant and accurate information on specific topics to people who own, manage or work in swine grow-finish facilities. The Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State coordinates the program. Learn more: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2006/oct/150301.htm
***************************************************************************
GRAPE AND WINE INSTITUTE GETS REGENTS' GREEN LIGHT
Iowa State's proposal for a Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute received the go-ahead from the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, during its meeting September 27. The institute will be in the College of Agriculture and will focus on research, teaching and extension that support the Midwest's evolving grape and wine industry. Details: http://www.iastate.edu/Inside/06/1006/regents.shtml
***************************************************************************
CORN RESEARCH PLOTS COMMEMORATED
A tour and commemoration ceremony of Iowa State's long-term continuous corn research plots took place October 12. The plots have been in continuous corn since 1915. They were originally part of an extensive crop rotation/soil fertility study established when the agronomic plot work was moved from central campus in 1915 to south of Ames on State Avenue. The land is now part of the ISU Animal Science Teaching Farm complex. The long-term continuous corn plots have been maintained although the experimental treatments have been modified. They are being named after W.H. Stevenson and P.E. Brown, former ISU soil scientists who were instrumental in establishing the plots. Both were faculty members who served as agronomy department heads.
***************************************************************************
ECONOMISTS ANALYZE ETHANOL TRADE AND PRICES IN A FREE MARKET
What would happen to fuel ethanol prices and trade in a U.S. market free of trade distortions and taxes? A recent analysis by Amani Elobeid and Simla Tokgoz, associate scientists at Iowa State's Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, addresses that question. Details: http://www.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2006/sep/ethanoltrade.shtml
***************************************************************************
STUDY ON ECONOMIC VALUES OF ETHANOL PRODUCTION
What does a new ethanol plant mean to a local economy? A new study by two Iowa State economists provides answers to that question. Details: http://www.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2006/sep/ethanoljobs.shtml
***************************************************************************
NEW BOOKS ANNOUNCEMENT AVAILABLE FROM MWPS
New Dairy Housing Plans Stress Cow Comfort and Farm Profitability
Years of research and field experience convinced dairy specialists at Penn State University to update and expand their recommendations for dairy housing facilities. A new book, Penn State Housing Plans for Milking and Special-Needs Cows, NRAES-200, emphasizes greater cow comfort, which translates to increased longevity and productivity for the milking cow and greater profitability for the producer. This 100-page, coil-bound book includes 13 idea plans for freestall dairy cow shelters; 11 idea plans for housing special-needs cows (pre-fresh/maternity pen areas, convalescence areas, and post-fresh housing facilities); and 8 idea plans showing building component details (floor surfaces, feed barriers, watering locations, freestalls, curtain sidewalls, and ventilation openings). Additional books in development will include plans for calves and heifers, milking centers, and farmstead layouts.
Penn State Housing Plans for Milking and Special-Needs Cows, NRAES-200, costs $23.00 plus S&H and may be ordered: on-line at www.mwps.org, by e-mail at mwps@iastate.edu, by phone at 800-562-3618 or 515-294-4337, by fax at 515-294-9589, or by writing MidWest Plan Service, 122 Davidson Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3080.
New Book Helps You Shape Your Backyard Environment
Would you like to see more natural beauty-and less manicured lawn-surrounding your home? A new book, The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home, NRAES-184 ($18.00 plus S&H/sales tax; 138 pages; September 2006), will be an essential tool to help you shape and rebuild your backyard environment. Written specifically for people living on one to ten acres of land, this combination book/workbook explains how adopting various land-management techniques can result in a healthier outdoor environment and a backyard living area families can enjoy for years to come.
The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home, NRAES-184, costs $18.00 plus S&H and may be ordered: on-line at www.mwps.org, by e-mail at mwps@iastate.edu, by phone at 800-562-3618 or 515-294-4337, by fax at 515-294-9589, or by writing MidWest Plan Service, 122 Davidson Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3080.
***************************************************************************
INSPIRE STUDENTS TO SEEK AGRICULTURE
"As the new agriculture increasingly becomes an area of basic sciences related to wellness and sustainability, we must ask ourselves what more can we do to help young people prepare for and embrace this very exciting future? We must find new ways to inspire students to seek agriculture as a lifelong profession and help them recognize that this industry is filled with opportunity and reward and fulfillment. Teachers, parents, and students need to understand that 21st century agriculture is a global enterprise based in science, which needs constant growth in discovery and in application. We need to expand to be more innovative, up-to-date, and assertive through agricultural educational programs, right from K through 12. Of course high schools must educate kids about more than just the opportunities in agriculture. Our young people need to learn the basics of science and they need a foundation upon which to build." --Mike Johanns, agriculture secretary, at The National Academy of Sciences on Education and 21st Century American Agriculture, Oct. 4.
***************************************************************************
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Iraq Agricultural Extension Revitalization Project CSREES, USDA
PURPOSE: improve Iraq's agricultural production capacity and efficiencies through technological tools and education.
The RFA targets a consortium of universities that will initiate and develop working relations with partnering Iraqi institutions. The initial award is for $500,000. Follow-on funding will be available. All sponsored activities must be planned for and conducted outside Iraq, either in a nearby country with a permissive security environment or in the U.S. Priority areas are listed in the RFA. Cost sharing is required. The lead and consortium institutions are encouraged to limit indirect costs to 10% of the total federal funds awarded. Guidelines:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1621
DEADLINE: November 8, 2006
2006/2007 Targeted Watersheds Grant Program for Implementation Projects, Environmental Protection Agency
PURPOSE: to protest, preserve and restore a watershed by incorporating a watershed-based approach that meets prescribed criteria.
Projects should include partnership efforts of diverse stakeholders. Matching funds are required. The program description and guidelines are available at:
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2006/August/Day-15/w6898.htm
DEADLINE: November 13, 2006
National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity, and the Planet, Environmental Protection Agency
PURPOSE: to progress toward sustainability by achieving the mutual goals of economic prosperity, protection or the natural systems of the planet, and providing a higher quality of life for its people.
The P3 competition will provide grants of up to $10,000 (Phase I awards) to teams of college students to research, develop, and design solutions to challenges to sustainability. About 50 Phase I grants will be made. Recipients of Phase I projects can compete for a Phase II award (up to $75,000 and an additional 12 months). No matching funds are required. Guidelines are available at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/p3/
DEADLINE: December 21, 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
National Research Initiative Posts Requests for Applications
The National Research Initiative (NRI) Request for Applications is now available on the CSREES Web site. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2007, NRI is accepting applications only through electronic submission using Grants.gov. Other important changes include a strict adherence to formatting, submission dates, and budget guidelines. Applications that do not meet these guidelines will be returned without review. Plan for an extra 3 to 5 days for the Grants.gov submission.
The NRI guidance for FY 2007 is available at:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1606
***************************************************************************
SELECTED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 21: Marketing Seminar for Wineries, Looft Hall, Western Community College, Council Bluffs. For more information: http://www.westerniowagrapegrowers.org/
October 24-25: Iowa Pork Industry Center In-Service and Professional Development, Kildee Hall, ISU campus, Ames.
November 6: 2nd Annual Marketing and Food Systems Initiative Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Gateway Conference Center, Ames. The event is free but registration is required. http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/workshop.htm
November 7-9: Basic Sausage Short Course, Meat Laboratory, ISU Campus, Ames. For more information contact Matt Wenger, 515-294-9279; mwenger@iastate.edu.
November 9-10: 14th Annual Swine Disease Conference for Swine Practitioners,
http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/swinedisease/home.html
November 16: Midwest Rural and Agricultural Safety and Health Forum, Holiday Inn and Conference Center, Coralville. http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/ICASH/programs/MRASH/2006/index.htm
November 20: Sixth Annual Iowa Organic Conference, Scheman Bldg., Ames. http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic06/home.html
November 29-30: 2006 Integrated Crop Management Workshop, Iowa State Center, Ames. http://www.aep.iastate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=35
November 30: Iowa-Illinois Fruit & Vegetable Symposium, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., Scott County Extension Office, Bettendorf. For registration Information contact Amy Heims at 319-337-2145 or aheims@iastate.edu http://www.public.iastate.edu/~taber/Extension/extension.html#iowaillinois
December 8-9: Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Annual Conference and Trade Show, Polk County Convention Center, Des Moines.
January 25-26, 2007: Iowa Vegetable/Fruit Growers Conference, Best Western, Marshalltown. http://www.public.iastate.edu/~taber/Extension/extension.html
January 26-27: Overall Women: A Conference for Today's Rural Women, Marriott Hotel, Coralville. http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/overallwomen/home.html
February 22-24: Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference, La Crosse, WI. http://www.mosesorganic.org/umofc/intro06.htm
March 2-3: Women Around Agriculture: Cows, Curves, and CropsConference, Best Western Hotel, Clear Lake.
March 21-22: Central Plains Dairy Expo, Convention Center, Sioux Falls, S.D. http://www.centralplainsdairyexpo.com/
March 27-30: ANR Professional Development, Ames.
ISUE Calendar of Events website: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/ ***************************************************************************
Publisher: Gerald Miller
Managing Editor: Paul Brown
Editor: Julie Honeick