ANR News
 
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                                       Vol. 11, #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
Anaerobic Treatment of Agricultural Wastes Course
Upcoming ANR Lunch and Learn Dates and Topics
ANR Extension Professional Development and Program Summit
Writing Evaluation Questions from a Different Angle
Research to Promote Biorenewable Fuels Technologies
New Display at Reiman Gardens Highlights Role of Bees
Biodiesel Byproduct Effective in Swine and Poultry Feed
Bioeconomy Conference Online
Pork Niche Newsletter Returns
Lamkey Appointed Agronomy Chair
Coats Acting Entomology Chair While Tollefson Ill
New Century Farm Concept Clears First Hurdle
John Deere In-Tune with Agriculture Institute Continues
Switchgrass Factsheet Now Available: First in Biomass Series
Funding Opportunities
Selected Calendar of Events
ANR Field & State Staff Directory Update

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JERRY'S COMMENTS

The March 27 and 28 ANR Professional Development and Program Summit was a successful event (see enclosed article regarding follow-up actions).  I thank all of you that were able to attend and I appreciate your constructive comments about the event.  I especially wish to thank the 17 County Extension Education Directors that were able to attend one or both days. And a special thanks to the committee that help organize the event: Paul Brown, chair; Sorrel Brown, Mike Duffy, Jan Flora, Ray Hansen, Matt Helmers, Mary Holz-Clause, Charles Hurburgh, Jim Pease, and Rich Pirog.  This event along with your success stories and information that you (ANR Field Specialists) share during your annual performance reviews continue to demonstrate the relevant educational activities that you are delivering and your engagement with clients. A few examples include (not inclusive, there are many more examples):
- building a client base and affecting change in business and financial management for Annie's Project participants.
- facilitating a group of beginning cow-calf producers with a focus on developing participant's leadership capacity
- developing producers understanding of the components of a manure management plan so that they can revise and update their plans in the future without assistance
- improving participants commodity grain marketing skills
- developing a curriculum for delivery to beginning cattle feedlot producers
- demonstrating the power of update and complete records for pork producers
- identifying and demonstrating sulfur deficiencies in some loess-derived soils
- leveraging retail dealers to demonstrate profitable and environmental benign crop production and protection practices.

A note on safety. This is the season for major farm equipment activity in fields and on rural roads across the state. All of us must think safety first and then proceed as we travel throughout the state.

Welcome to spring 2007!

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ANAEROBIC TREATMENT OF AGRICULTURAL WASTES COURSE

The agricultural and biosystems engineering department will offer a national Anaerobic Treatment of Agricultural Wastes course May 21-22 at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. A reduced course fee is available for ISU Extension personnel by contacting Lara Moody at lmoody@iastate.edu. More:  http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/anaerobiccourse/home.html.

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UPCOMING ANR LUNCH AND LEARN DATE AND TOPIC

The following ANR Lunch and Learn session date and topic has been scheduled:
    
            June 1 -- Iowa Grain Storage: Planning and Options (Charles Hurburgh)

The session is offered via Breeze from noon to 12:45 pm and is designed to address the following points:

1. An outline of the opportunities, potential economic impacts, and/or challenges associated with the topic.
2. A review of new or available resources.
3. A discussion of programming implications.

Previous ANR Lunch and Learn sessions are archived at: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/staff/lunchandlearn.html

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ANR EXTENSION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM SUMMIT

On March 27 and 28, over 120 county directors, faculty, field specialists, and program staff participated in the first ANR Extension Professional Development and Program Summit. The goal of the Summit was to directly link 2008-2012 plans-of-work to new opportunities unfolding in Iowa agriculture.  

The planning committee has conducted a debriefing session and expects to have the priority powerpoint presentations, templates, and hub and spoke diagrams posted the first week in May at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/staff/programplanning.html.

In the meantime, if you or your development and delivery team need a set of the draft materials, please contact Paul Brown at: pwbrown@iastate.edu. Additional information about priorities and how they fit within the plan-of-work process will continue in the May ANR Newsletter.

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WRITING EVALUATION QUESTIONS FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE – by Sorrel Brown

Impact evaluation tools need to target specific issues to end up with meaningful results. If you are finding it difficult to formulate questions for a particular program effort that you want to evaluate, here is a slightly different approach that may help you come up with the right questions to ask:

1. What is the particular problem you want to solve?
2. What has to happen for the problem to be solved?
3. What part will you play in solving this problem?
4. What will be different if you are successful?

Formulating questions for a survey based on this approach should get you responses you can use to describe your program's impact.

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RESEARCH TO PROMOTE BIORENEWABLE FUELS TECHNOLOGIES

ConocoPhillips will establish an eight-year, $22.5 million research program at Iowa State dedicated to developing technologies that produce biorenewable fuels. The company will make an initial $1.5 million grant in 2007 to support Iowa State researchers, with additional grants of $3 million per year for seven years. Learn more:
http://www.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2007/apr/biofuels.shtml

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NEW DISPLAY AT REIMAN GARDENS HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF BEES

At a time when entire colonies of bees are dying without explanation, Reiman Gardens is opening an exhibit called "Bee-Aware" that explains the role of bees and pollinators in plant-life cycles. The show will run through July 1. Details:
http://www.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2007/apr/bees.shtml

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BIODIESEL BYPRODUCT EFFECTIVE IN SWINE AND POULTRY FEED

With the rapid expansion of ethanol and biodiesel production in Iowa, there are questions about possible uses for what remains after these alternative fuels leave the plant. Researchers at Iowa State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Services (ARS) are studying a biodiesel by-product in swine and poultry feed.
Details: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news_detail.php?var1=313

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BIOECONOMY CONFERENCE ONLINE

Video from the April 10 conference, "Community Futures: The Small Town in the Bioeconomy," is available online. Gov. Chet Culver was the keynote speaker.  See http://www.extension.iastate.edu/bioeconomy/communityfutures/

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PORK NICHE NEWSLETTER RETURNS

After a nearly two-year hiatus, the quarterly newsletter of the Pork Niche Market Working Group is back. A new name, new look and definite publication schedule are helping rekindle interest in PNMWG and its work. Take a look at the latest newsletter issue at: http://www.pnmwg.org/pnmwg_update/2007%20Spring%20Nwl-PNMWG.pdf There are e-mail links and phone numbers if you'd like to receive the newsletter, either by e-mail (pdf or plain text formats available) or in print form.

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LAMKEY APPOINTED AGRONOMY CHAIR

Kendall Lamkey has been named the chair of the agronomy department with a three-year appointment, effective Feb. 15. He was appointed interim chair last year for a two-year term. More:
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news_detail.php?var1=310

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COATS ACTING ENTOMOLOGY CHAIR WHILE TOLLEFSON ILL

Jon Tollefson, chair of the entomology department, has returned to Ames after falling ill in Serbia while on University business. Joel Coats will serve as acting department chair with assistance from Donald Lewis, as Tollefson undergoes additional medical tests.

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NEW CENTURY FARM CONCEPT CLEARS FIRST HURDLE

Iowa State's proposed New Century Farm will head into the project-planning phase, following the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, initial evaluation of the concept. The New Century Farm, an anticipated $14 million project, would be the first demonstration farm in the country that focuses on feedstocks for biofuels. Learn more: http://www.iastate.edu/Inside/07/0330/regents.shtml

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JOHN DEERE IN-TUNE WITH AGRICULTURE INSTITUTE CONTINUES

Deere and Company employees at Waterloo and Ankeny continue to participate in the John Deere In-tune with Agriculture Institute offered by ISU Extension.  From February 1 through May 31, 2007, twelve half-day sessions have been conducted or are scheduled.  During this time frame, 141 employees have participated and another 123 employees are signed-up to participate.   
In 2002, ISU Extension was asked to provide agricultural-based training to Deere and Company wage and salaried employees.   The company’s goal is to differentiate itself from the competition by training employees to better understand agriculture in North America and around the globe. Over five years, 179 sessions have been conducted with more than 4,284 employees trained.  

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SWITCHGRASS FACTSHEET NOW AVAILABLE: FIRST IN BIOMASS SERIES

The first in a series of fact sheets on biomass crops and related issues is now available.  Faculty in the Iowa State University Agronomy Department authored the publication on Switchgrass, which includes information on soil and site adaptation; life cycle and growth; fertility; yield; harvest considerations; and pest and disease management.  Switchgrass is grown mainly as a forage crop or used as ground cover to control erosion. Its rapid growth rate and winter hardiness make it an attractive biomass crop for biofuel production.  Switchgrass can be burned as an energy source for producing grain ethanol or fermented into biofuel.  The publication is now available at: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/AG200.pdf and at the Extension distribution store.  Agronomy faculty plan to prepare additional factsheets on miscanthus, corn stover, and corn on corn production. 

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

FY 2007 Nutrients Benefits Valuation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

PURPOSE:  to improve the empirical methodologies to the economic valuation of the benefits from reducing nutrient levels in the nation’s water bodies.

Outcomes are intended to assist States in their attempts to estimate monetary benefits associated with nutrient reductions as they strive to adopt numeric nutrient criteria into State water quality standards.  Project proposals must include studies that estimate the economic value of ecological benefits associated with the reduction of nutrients to water.  Proposals that use a production function approach, where changes in stressors are linked to changes in ecological goods or services through an ecological production function, are preferred; such production functions contribute to the transferability of values from one context to another.

EPA anticipates making 1 or 2 awards for project periods of up to two years.  Cost sharing is not required but encouraged.  Guidelines are available at:
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/nutrient/grants/

DEADLINE:  May 1, 2007

Emerging Markets Program, Foreign Agriculture Service, USDA

PURPOSE:  To improve market access through generic activities that can develop and promote U.S. agricultural products and/or processes in low- to middle-income counties that offer promise of emerging market opportunities.

Examples of APPROVED activities are given in the guidance.  Proposals from universities will be considered if they provide evidence of substantial participation in and financial support by the U.S. industry. Cost sharing is required.  For more information, see:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/em-markets/em-markets.asp

DEADLINE:  MAY 14, 2007

Value-Added Producer Grants, USDA Rural Development

PURPOSE:  develop strategies to create marketing opportunities and to help develop business plans for viable marketing opportunities regarding production of biobased products from agricultural commodities.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY:  limited to independent producers, agriculture producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperative or majority-controlled producer-based business venture. 

The university and County Extension Districts are not eligible to apply but may have clients for which this program fits.  Planning grants are limited to $100,000; working capital grants are limited to $300,000.  Applicants are encouraged to contact their state Rural Development, USDA, office to discuss the project idea and ask about the application process.  Draft applications may be submitted to the state office for a preliminary review anytime prior to May 7, 2007.  Matching funds are required.

The definition of value-added products and application guidelines are available at:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm

DEADLINE:  May 16, 2007

Non-insurance Risk Management Program Partnerships Risk Management Agency, USDA

PURPOSE:  to develop non-insurance risk management tools that will be utilized by agricultural producers to assist them in mitigating the risks inherent in agricultural production.

The objective is to develop risk management tools designed to increase knowledge of and participation in existing insurance programs available to producers of agricultural products.  The tools should not be part of the insurance policy, and should not be exclusively educational in nature.  See the guidelines for priorities and examples of tools.  Projects may be for up to 3 years in duration.  Application information is available at: http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements/

DEADLINE:  May 17, 2007

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG), Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA

PURPOSE:  to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection.

All CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (ie. market-based systems) into NRCS technical manuals or guides or to the private sector.  The program does not fund research.  All agricultural producers receiving direct or indirect payments through participation in a CIG project must meet the EQIP eligibility requirements.  The role of the grantee is to provide the technical assistance required to successfully implement and complete the project.  Requirements and priorities are given in the guidelines.  Individual project grants are limited to $75,000.  Matching funds are required; one-half of the required match must be cash.  Program guidelines are available at:
http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CIG.html

DEADLINE:  May 31, 2007

Strategic Agricultural Initiative Program, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7

PURPOSE:  to support efforts by the agricultural community to "transition" away from high risk pesticides to the use of less and reduced risk pesticides, alternative methods of agricultural pest control, and sustainable practices in food production.

Priority will be given to projects that use a "whole systems" approach, address an array of commodities, focus on sustainable agriculture, incorporate conservation planning, are submitted by applicants with a proven track record of grower participating and adoption, and have an outreach and extension component to their project.  Matching funds are not required.  Applicants are encouraged to leverage funds from other sources as much as possible.  Awards will be made through assistance agreements ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for up to 5 projects. 

Application information is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/region07/economics/r7_grant_opportunities.htm

DEADLINE:  June 5, 2007

Rural Cooperative Development Grant, USDA Rural Development

PURPOSE:  to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative development.

Grant funds are provided for the establishment and operation of Centers that have the expertise or who can contract out for the expertise to assist individuals or entities in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of cooperative businesses.  The maximum grant award is $200,000.  Matching funds (25% of the total project cost) are required.

Applicant eligibility is limited to nonprofit corporations and institutions or higher education.  For guidelines, see: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm

DEADLINE:  June 8, 2007

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grant Program, North Central Region SARE

PURPOSE:  promote research and education projects on sustainable agriculture topics that strengthen rural communities, increase farmer/rancher profitability, and improve the environment.

Projects must benefit agriculture in the North Central Region and contribute to the following outcomes:  improve the profitability of farmers and associated agricultural businesses, sustain and improve the environmental quality and natural resource based on which agriculture depends, and enhance the quality of life for farmers/ranchers, rural communities and society as a whole.  Examples of bio-energy projects that NCR-SARE might support are included in a position paper on the NCR SARE web site.

Guidelines for required pre-proposals are available at: http://ncr.sare.org/resedu.htm

DEADLINE: June 19, 2007 

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SELECTED CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 30-May 4:  Fourth National Aquaculture Extension Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio.
http://southcenters.osu.edu/aqua/extension%20conference/Extension%20conference.htm

May 7-10:  2007 Urban Extension Conference, Hyatt Regency, Kansas City, Missouri. (Early bird registration deadline March 30, 2007). http://extension.missouri.edu/urbanconf/

May 12:  Wine Growing Concepts Workshop, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Northeast Iowa Community College, Peosta. Pre-registration is required. Contact Jim Cushman (563-557-3727) or Brian Keehner (563-542-2862), keehner@prestontel.com for more information.

May 15:  Adapting to Changing Beef Economics Workshop, Southwest Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative Bldg., Mt. Ayr. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2007/apr/071304.htm

May 16:  Adapting to Changing Beef Economics Workshop, Lucas County Extension Office, Chariton. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2007/apr/071304.htm

May 16:  Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference 2007, Ames.
http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/soilmanagement/home.html

May 21-22:  National Anaerobic Treatment of Agricultural Wastes Course, Hotel Fort Des Moines. http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/anaerobiccourse/home.html

May 24:  Anaerobic Digestion: Economic Opportunities and Environmental Benefits for Dairy Producers, Noon – 2:30 p.m., Sioux County Extension Office, (Downstairs Meeting Room), Orange City. For more information, contact Chris Mondak, 712-737-4230; cmondak@iastate.edu

June 13-14:  Four State Dairy Nutrition & Management Conference, Grand River Center, Dubuque.  For more information contact Lee Kilmer at 515-294-6021.

June 21-22:  National Compost Dairy Barn Conference, Burnsville, MN. For more information go to: http://www.ansci.umn.edu/compostbarnconf.htm

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

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