ANR News
 
***************************************************************************
                                       Vol. 11, #2

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:
 
IN THIS EDITION:
 
Jerry's Comments
ISU Extension Plant Pathologist Honored
Iowa Organic Conference Set for November 20
2006 Ag Chemical Dealer Updates
Summit to Generate Biorenewables Recommendations
ICM Conference and Agribusiness Expo November 29-30
Next ANR Lunch and Learn – December 1
Manure Applicator Certification Teleconference - December 18
Bioeconomy Education Materials
Beginning Farmer Center Brochure
New Agricultural Law Center Created at Iowa State
Former Extension Employee to Head Cattlemen's Group
Pork Producers to Participate in Farrowing Caretaker Group
Leopold Center Newsletter Available by Email
ISU Ethanol Web Cast Presentations Available
ISU Research on Effects of Ethanol Expansion
ISU to Study Impacts of More Energy Production
Pioneer Hi-Bred is National "Friend of Extension"
CSREES Moves to Enhance Services
Report Details Decline in Some Pollinator Populations
Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference
National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center
Funding Opportunities
Selected Calendar of Events
ANR Field & State Staff Directory Update

***************************************************************************
JERRY'S COMMENTS

Within the past month ANR Extension has delivered two presentations via a Breeze under the banner of "ANR Lunch and Learn". The topics were:

- Growing Iowa's Bioeconomy, October 27th by Steve Fales and Jill Euken
- New Agricultural Enterprises, Opportunities, and Linkages, November 10th by Rich Pirog

If you did not have an opportunity to participate in these programs they are archived at  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/staff/lunchandlearn.html .  Plans are to continue the "ANR Lunch and Learn" series on a monthly basis (see enclosed article, below, regarding the December 1st presentation).  I am interested in receiving your comments about "ANR Lunch and Learn".  Are there topics that you are interested in learning about related to the on-going research and Extension efforts being conducted? 

I look forward to hearing from you.

***************************************************************************
ISU EXTENSION PLANT PATHOLOGIST HONORED

An ISU Extension plant pathologist has been recognized for his role in helping the U.S. soybean industry better manage the risk of soybean rust. X.B. Yang is a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Asian Soybean Rust Team. Team members were presented a 2006 USDA Secretary's Honor Award during a ceremony Friday, October 20, in Washington, D.C. Learn more: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news/2006releases/rustaward.html

***************************************************************************
IOWA ORGANIC CONFERENCE SET FOR NOVEMBER 20

Iowa State will host the sixth annual Iowa Organic Conference from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., November 20, at the Scheman Building. Sponsors include ISU Extension, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Educational Services and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. More: http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/organic06/home.html

***************************************************************************
2006 AG CHEMICAL DEALER UPDATES

Updates on the latest crop production products and recommendations are the featured topics of the 2006 Ag Chemical Dealer Updates. Sponsored by Iowa State University Extension, this series will be held November 21 to December 19 at nine locations around Iowa.

“These meetings are a chance for ag input dealers to meet with Extension specialists to review current research, discuss new products, and learn of new recommendations,” said Brent Pringnitz, coordinator, Agribusiness Education Program.

Each location will feature presentations on weed, insect and crop disease management as well as soil nutrient management. Each meeting is approved for Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) credits. In addition, the meetings offer recertification for Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicators in categories 1A, 1B, 1C and 10.

Registration materials and additional information about the meetings is available at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/acu/homepage.html.

***************************************************************************
SUMMIT TO GENERATE BIORENEWABLES RECOMMENDATIONS

Iowa State is inviting state, industry, government and university leaders to develop policy and investment recommendations that would maintain Iowa's leadership in the bioeconomy. "A Call to Action Summit: Ensuring Iowa's Leadership in the Bioeconomy" will be November 28 in the Scheman Building. Learn more: http://www.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2006/oct/summit.shtml

***************************************************************************
ICM CONFERENCE AND AGRIBUSINESS EXPO NOVEMBER 29-30

The 18th Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference and the Agribusiness Association of Iowa Agribusiness Expo will be held November 29 and 30 on the Iowa State campus. Details: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2006/oct/073102.htm

***************************************************************************
NEXT ANR LUNCH AND LEARN – DECEMBER 1

The next ‘ANR Lunch and Learn’ session will be offered via Breeze from noon to 12:45 pm on Friday, December 1st.  Mike Duffy, Professor of Economics and Director of the Beginning Farmer Center, will address the identified priority of Beginning Farmers and the Next Generation of Agriculturists. His presentation will focus on an overview of the situation and opportunities for the future, campus-based resources, and the implications for programming.
Future dates, topics, and presenters for 2007 will be announced in the December ANR Newsletter.  Previous ANR Lunch and Learn sessions have been archived at: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/staff/lunchandlearn.html

***************************************************************************
MANURE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION TELECONFERENCE - DECEMBER 18

The Manure Applicator Certification (MAC) teleconference will be held on Monday, December 18 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.  Please keep the MAC packet of materials you received in the November 6 transmittal packet for discussion and review at this teleconference.  This teleconference will review the administrative details of offering this program at your county extension office including which forms to use, how to order the forms and how to complete the forms.  We will also answer questions about the program. The telephone number and access code to connect to the teleconference will be provided to County Extension Education Directors, County Office Assistants and ANR Field Specialists in a separate e-mail from Paul Brown.

***************************************************************************
BIOECONOMY EDUCATION MATERIALS

ANR Extension, CIRAS, and the Office of Biorenewables Programs are moving forward to develop educational materials for use by Extension field staff related to the bioeconomy.  Two types of presentations are in the works.  First, a general (20 minute) presentation on the bioeconomy that County Extension Education Directors could use with service clubs and other local groups in their assigned county.  Second, a more technical (45 minute) presentation that field specialists would use with various industry and investment groups.  This presentation would be similar to what Jill Euken and Steve Fales delivered during October 27 ANR Lunch and Learn.  Materials are expected to be ready mid-December, and they will be introduced via a Breeze session. 

***************************************************************************
NEW BEGINNING FARMER CENTER BROCHURE

The Beginning Farmer Center recently created a new brochure advertising the Center and its programs.  County offices were sent a supply of these for distribution in the November 10 transmittal packet.  If you have any questions about the Center please contact Mike Duffy, Director at mduffy@iastate.edu.  Through the Beginning Farmer Center and other programs, Extension is working to help the next generation of Iowa farmers and agriculturists.

***************************************************************************
NEW AGRICULTURAL LAW CENTER CREATED AT IOWA STATE

A new Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation has been established at Iowa State. The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approved the new center at its November 8 meeting in Ames. Learn more: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news/2006releases/aglawcenter.html

***************************************************************************
FORMER EXTENSION EMPLOYEE TO HEAD CATTLEMEN'S GROUP

Bruce Berven became the new Iowa Cattlemen's Association executive vice president on Tuesday, November 7. He will also be executive vice president of the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation, Inc. Berven is returning to the top job at ICA having held the position from 1978 to 1984, after serving for eight years as an Iowa State county extension director and area livestock specialist. He earned a bachelor's and master's degrees in animal science in 1970 and 1973 from ISU.

***************************************************************************
PORK PRODUCERS TO PARTICIPATE IN FARROWING CARETAKER GROUP

Swine producers with farrowing operations are invited to participate in the Farrowing Caretaker Interest Group being formed in Iowa. The interest group is sponsored by ISU Extension, Iowa Pork Industry Center and the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Details: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2006/oct/151901.htm

***************************************************************************
LEOPOLD CENTER NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE BY EMAIL

Notes from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture is the name of the center's new emailed newsletter. A PDF version of the newsletter is on the web at: www.leopold.iastate.edu/pubs/notes/NOTES_092906.pdf. You can sign up for the newsletter at: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/forms/mailing.htm.

***************************************************************************
ISU ETHANOL WEB CAST PRESENTATIONS AVAILABLE

The Perspectives on Present and Future Corn-Based Ethanol Industry Web cast was presented this morning to 63 county extension offices as well as on campus. More than 100 questions were submitted by viewers during the program. Seven Iowa State economists presented information on the impact of Iowa's ethanol industry. The presentations and the archived webcast are available at:  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/ethanol.html

***************************************************************************
ISU RESEARCH ON EFFECTS OF ETHANOL EXPANSION

Researchers at Iowa State will evaluate the costs and benefits of ethanol expansion to rural communities in the Upper Mississippi River Basin as part of a $676,722 biofuels research grant. The study is considered the first to attempt a simultaneous assessment of the impacts of corn-based ethanol expansion on crop prices, cropping patterns, water quality and regional economic indicators. Learn more: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news/2006releases/cardgrant.html

***************************************************************************
ISU TO STUDY IMPACTS OF MORE ENERGY PRODUCTION

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided $275,000 in research funding to the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development to provide estimates of the impact on farmers, consumers and international trade from increased energy production from agriculture. Details: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news/2006releases/cardusda.html

***************************************************************************
PIONEER HI-BRED IS NATIONAL "FRIEND OF EXTENSION"

Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. has been named the 2006 National Epsilon Sigma Phi "Friend of Extension." The award will be presented at the national Epsilon Sigma Phi conference November 17 in Annapolis, Md. Learn more: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2006/oct/332301.htm

***************************************************************************
CSREES MOVES TO ENHANCE SERVICES

Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service has released recommendations based on its first nationwide customer service satisfaction survey. More than 1,300 administrators, business officers and grant applicants/recipients responded to group-specific surveys, highlighting the agency's strengths and the areas that need to be enhanced to meet specific group needs. You may review the agency's commitments to enhance program leadership and grant administration at: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/business/awards/survey.html.

***************************************************************************
REPORT DETAILS DECLINE IN SOME POLLINATOR POPULATIONS

A new National Research Council report says some North American pollinators -- bees, birds, and other creatures that spread pollen so plant fertilization occurs -- are declining. Research indicates that shortages of pollinators for agriculture already exist and that decreases in wild pollinator populations could disrupt ecosystems in the future. More: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11761.html

***************************************************************************
FOUR-STATE DAIRY NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE

The Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference proceedings is available from MWPS for $23.00 plus shipping and handling. The book is 120 pages, 8 1/2”x 11”, and includes illustrations, tables, and sources for further reading.  The conference was sponsored by Cooperative Extension services of Iowa State University, the University of Illinois, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin as well as dairy-affiliated industries. Seventeen speakers involved dairy farmers and other industry professionals in learning and information exchange.

MWPS materials, 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.

***************************************************************************
NATIONAL LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

The National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center offers extension educators with livestock responsibilities an online newsletter.  To receive future newsletters you may subscribe by accessing http://lpe.unl.edu/subscribe.html .

Also, the Center offers web-cast seminars for extension educator in-service.  Seminars are hosted on the third Friday of each month at 1:30 pm Central time.  In November and December web-cast seminars will focus on the topic "Pathogens in Animal Manure...Should We Be Concerned?".  Five national experts from Purdue, UC Davis, USGS, and USDA ARS will examine this issue. The target audience are those individuals who advise livestock producers.  If you have not participated in one of the seminars at your computer, you can learn more by accessing http://lpe.unl.edu/webcast2.html

***************************************************************************
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

RE:  Integrated Organic Program, CSREES, USDA

PURPOSE:  to solve organic agriculture issues, priorities or problems through the integration of research, education and extension activities.

Objectives for the Organic Transitions Program are to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices.  The Organic Agriculture Research & Extension Initiative targets enhancing the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products.  See the guidance for specific priorities for FY 2007. 

Extension field specialists with project ideas should collaborate with campus faculty.  Applications will be submitted via Grants.gov.  Guidelines are available at:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1141

DEADLINE:  December 18, 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 

National Integrated Food Safety Initiative CSREES, USDA

PURPOSE:  to support food safety projects that demonstrate an integrated approach to solving problems in applied food safety research, education and extension.

Applications should address a broad spectrum of food safety concerns -- from on-farm production, post-harvest processing, and distribution, to food selection, preparation, and consumption.  Collaboration with various agencies or organizations is required.  See the guidelines for priorities:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1086

DEADLINE:  December 8, 2006 for letter of intent for special emphasis grants; January 12, 2007 for applications

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:  January 18, 2007


Higher Education Challenge Grants Program CSREES, USDA

PURPOSE: To increase the number of graduates with a BS or higher degree in the food and agricultural sciences, and to help students meet career goals as well as meeting workplace needs.

Proposals must address one of five educational strategies:  curricula design and materials development, faculty preparation and enhancement for teaching, instructional delivery systems, student experiential learning, and student recruitment and retention.  A single institution may request up to $150,000; a joint project proposal may request up to $500,000.  Projects may range from eighteen to thirty-six months. Dollar-for-dollar matching funds are required.  See guidelines for more details:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1082

DEADLINE:  February 1, 2007

Energy for Sustainability, National Science Foundation

The program will fund fundamental research and education in energy production, conversion, and storage on energy sources that are environmentally friendly and renewable.  Guidelines are available at: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501026

Proposal deadline period:  February 1 to March 1, 2007

Federal State Marketing Improvement Program, USDA

PURPOSE:  to address barriers, challenges and opportunities in marketing, transportation and distribution of U.S. food and agricultural products domestically and internationally. 

The Agricultural Marketing Service funds 25 to 30 projects each year; the average award is $50,000.  Matching funds are required.  Guidelines are available at:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm#Eligibility

DEADLINE:  February 12, 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

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:  Integrated Crop Management Conference, Iowa State Center, Ames.  http://www.aep.iastate.edu/icm/homepage.html

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

December 1-2:  Issues in Wine Production Short Course, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Northeast Iowa Community College, Peosta. For more information, contact Warren Johnson at Limestone Bluffs RC&D at 563-652-5104, or  warren.johnson@ia.udsa.gov

December 4-5:  ISU County Extension Education Directors In-Service, ISU Memorial Union. http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/ceed06/home.html

December 8-9:  Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Annual Conference and Trade Show, Polk County Convention Center, Des Moines. http://www.iowafarmbureau.com/annualmeeting/default.aspx

January 25-26, 2007:  Iowa Vegetable/Fruit Growers Conference, Best Western, Marshalltown.

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 6:  Value Added Ag Forum – The Role of Value Added Agriculture in Changing Rural Communities, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Memorial Union, ISU Campus. For more information contact Madeline Schulze at 515-294-0588 or schultz@iastate.edu.

February 16-17:  Third Annual Cold Climate Grape and Wine Conference, Holiday Inn Select Hotel, Bloomington, MN. http://www.mngrapes.org/ccgw_conference2007.html

February 22-24:  Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference, La Crosse, WI. http://www.mosesorganic.org/umofc/intro06.htm

February 28:  7th Annual John Pesek Colloquium on Sustainable Agriculture.

March 2-3:  Women Around Agriculture: Cows, Curves, and CropsConference, Best Western Hotel, Clear Lake.

March 6:  Ag & Environment Conference, Scheman Bldg, Ames. http://www.aep.iastate.edu/aec/homepage.html

March 21-22:  Central Plains Dairy Expo, Convention Center, Sioux Falls, S.D. http://www.centralplainsdairyexpo.com/

March 27-30:  ANR Professional Development, Ames.

April 3:  Value Added Ag Forum – Entrepreneurship in Agriculture Processing and Marketing, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For more information contact Madeline Schulze at 515-294-0588 or schultz@iastate.edu.

ISUE Calendar of Events website:  http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

***************************************************************************

***************************************************************************

Publisher: Gerald Miller
Managing Editor: Paul Brown
Editor: Julie Honeick