ANR News
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Vol. 11, #9
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
“Agriculture and Natural Resources – Connect” Pilot Starts July 2
Regents Approve the Name "ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences"
Annual Reporting Instructions
ANR Extension Revenue Generation Policy, Effective June 1, 2007
Extension Agricultural Engineer Wins Technology Award
Iowa State Fact Sheets Offer Basics on Biomass Crops
Benefit to Aid Former ISU Extension Staff Member
Virtual Grower Software Aids Greenhouse Management
Demonstration Gardens Kickoff Iowa State Field Days
Horse-Human Relationship Studied at Upcoming Conference
Landscape Publication Wins Horticulture Award
Iowa State Equine Stories Part of New Land Grant News Site
New ISU Fact Sheet on Using DDGS in Swine Diets
Agronomy Department Biorenewables Website
Funding Opportunities
Selected Calendar of Events
ANR Field & State Staff Directory Update
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JERRY'S COMMENTS
ANR Extension is pleased to welcome Aaron Saeugling as an Extension Field Agronomist. Aaron started his duties with ISU Extension on June 11 and is located in the Madison County Extension Office. Aaron will serve Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Poweshiek, and Warren Counties. His responsibilities will also include providing leadership within the ISU Extension Central Area in organizing applied on-farm research in cooperation with the Corn and Soybean Initiative and assisting with plot research near Ames. He is funded 40 percent by the ISU Research Farms. His base for on-farm research activities will be at the ISU Agriculture Engineering/Agronomy Research Farm. His on-farm research work will better connect ISU research activities particularly in Boone and Story Counties.
Aaron has a degree in agronomy from Iowa State and has worked for several agribusiness companies. He lives with his family in Atlantic.
Aaron's appointment provides the opportunity for Mike White, Field Specialist-Viticulture, to assume full-time and statewide responsibilities for viticulture education activities. In this role Mike will work closely with faculty and staff affiliated with the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute < http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Wine/> He will continue to be based in the Warren County Extension office.
Extension Field Agronomist is the new working title for the field specialists with responsibilities for the ISU Corn and Soybean Initiative and crop production and protection education. This working title became effective earlier this month. The Extension Field Agronomists are listed at < http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/fscrops/fscrops.html>
As many of you are aware the U.S. Congress is actively engaged in discussions about the FY07 Federal Farm Bill. Dr. Chad Hart, Department of Economics and the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, participated in the ANR Extension Lunch and Learn series on June 1, 2007, and provided an overview of each title of the Federal Farm Bill. His presentation is archived at < http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/staff/lunchandlearn.html > Additional discussions about the Federal Farm Bill are planned for June 15 and July 13 via Adobe Connect. These discussions, "Rural Development Title VI" and "Food Security and Nutrition Title IV", will be led by ISU faculty and are scheduled to be archived on the ANR Extension Lunch and Learn web site.
Best wishes for a great summer!
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“AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES – CONNECT” PILOT STARTS JULY 2
In an effort to enhance client access to Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension programming, the Farm and Business Management Development and Delivery team will pilot a series of timely topics through archived webcast presentations and online resources beginning
July 2. The pilot will be titled “Agriculture and Natural Resources -- Connect,” and it will feature four 15 to 20 minute topics on farmland leasing.
The convenience of accessing program information via home or office computer is expected to reach an audience that is not reached through traditional Extension program delivery.
A number of tools will be used to help market this program including an electronic message/graphic that can be sent to e-mail lists, a news release, links on various ISU and ISU Extension web pages. The communications staff supporting ANR Extension are working on additional methods of getting the word out about this program to the online world.
After the initial pilot this summer, plans are to continue with other timely topics involving other development and delivery teams. More information will be available as the project progresses.
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REGENTS APPROVE THE NAME ‘ISU COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES’
Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture is now Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, recently approved a proposal from Iowa State to change the name of the college. The new name more accurately describes both the long-held and the modern emphasis of the college as exciting new opportunities emerge in agriculture — the bioeconomy, plant and animal genomics, environmental stewardship, and food and nutrition. More information is available at: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news_detail.php?var1=332
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ANNUAL REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS
The 2007 Annual Reporting Instructions are posted on the web for ANR Extension. Follow the 'staff only' page to the 'program planning and reporting' page - or use this quick link.
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/planofwork/instructions.html
Take a few minutes this week to review the information that is necessary for the report, and plan time on your calendar for reporting.
REMINDER - calendar counts are DUE JULY 15 for the time period of July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.
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ANR EXTENSION REVENUE GENERATION POLICY, EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2007
A newly revised ANR Extension revenue generation policy became effective on June 1. Its purpose is to guide campus-based faculty and program staff when determining appropriate fees for internal partners and external clients. The policy can be viewed at:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/staff/revenuegenerationjune1_2007.pdf
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EXTENSION AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER WINS TECHNOLOGY AWARD
The Impellicone anhydrous ammonia manifold, developed at Iowa State, was judged among the top 10 entries in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers' AE50 Awards. The technology was designed by Mark Hanna, extension agricultural engineer, and Paul Boyd, a former graduate student in agricultural and biosystems engineering, and is marketed by the CDS-John Blue Co., Huntsville, Ala. The 20th annual AE50 recognition program honors companies offering the best products engineered for agricultural, food, biological and related systems available on the market for the first time in 2006. The award will be presented this weekend at a society meeting.
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IOWA STATE FACT SHEETS OFFER BASICS ON BIOMASS CROPS
Iowa State has published the first two entries in a series of fact sheets on biomass crops. The publications on switchgrass and miscanthus were written by agronomy faculty. Additional fact sheets on other biomass crops are planned. Learn more: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news_detail.php?var1=331
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BENEFIT TO AID FORMER ISU EXTENSION STAFF MEMBER
Pam Kirkhart, former extension administrative assistant who worked with Stan Johnson and Jack Payne, was paralyzed in an auto accident last December. Two efforts are underway to help her and her husband, Tom, who was also in the accident. Contributions may be made by sending cash, money orders or checks to the Kirkhart Benefit Fund, Bank of the West, 525 Main Street, Ames, IA 50010, (515) 232-8664. Also, a benefit dinner and auction will take place from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. June 23 at the Memorial Lutheran Church, 701 11th St., Nevada. A silent auction will held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the live auction will start at 6:30 p.m. More: http://www.benefit.typepad.com
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VIRTUAL GROWER SOFTWARE AIDS GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT
The U.S. Department of Agriculture created Virtual Grower to help growers design greenhouses, schedule temperature set points throughout the year and predict heating costs for more than 230 sites. Different heating and scheduling scenarios can be predicted with a few inputs. More:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/services/software/download.htm?softwareid=108
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DEMONSTRATION GARDENS KICKOFF IOWA STATE FIELD DAYS
This year's field day season at Iowa State Research and Demonstration Farms begins with garden field days in June. The demonstration garden field day theme is cool season gardens. Learn more:
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news_detail.php?var1=329
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HORSE-HUMAN RELATIONSHIP STUDIED AT UPCOMING CONFERENCE
A conference June 30-July 1 in Ames on horse-human relationships will be Webcast with an Internet forum to make it accessible to more people. Professional horse trainers, clinicians, artists, filmmakers, musicians and authors will present stories about their experiences. More:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2007/may/112302.htm
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LANDSCAPE PUBLICATION WINS HORTICULTURE AWARD
An ISU Extension publication, "Home Landscape: Understanding the Basics of Landscape Design," won a 2007 American Society for Horticultural Science Award. Ann Marie VanDerZanden, horticulture, wrote the publication. It previously won a Bronze Award from the Association for Communications Excellence.
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IOWA STATE EQUINE STORIES PART OF NEW LAND GRANT NEWS SITE
Stories featuring recent renovations at the ISU horse barns and a study of the economic value of Iowa's equine industry are online as part of a new information resource. Staff from ISU Extension communications and marketing coordinate the national virtual news room known as eXtension (pronounced e-extension). eXtension, http://www.extension.org, is an educational partnership of more than 70 land grant universities. Links to the Iowa State equine stories are here: http://www.extension.org/horses/news
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NEW ISU FACT SHEET ON USING DDGS IN SWINE DIETS
The first in a series of fact sheets on feeding distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to pigs is available from the ISU's Iowa Pork Industry Center. Animal science professor Mark Honeyman and research assistant Pete Lammers prepared the fact sheet and are developing additional topics for the series. To read and download the first offering, go to http://www.ipic.iastate.edu/publications/IPIC11a.pdf.
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AGRONOMY DEPARTMENT BIORENEWABLES WEBSITE
Kendall R. Lamkey, Chair of the ISU Agronomy Department, recently announced the posting of the Department’s biorenewables website at: http://www.agron.iastate.edu/research/biorenewables.aspx
Two newly published fact sheets, "Switchgrass" and "Miscanthus Hybrids for Biomass Production," can be accessed at this website.
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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
Indoor Air Quality, Environmental Protection Agency Region 7
PURPOSE: to increase the number of people experiencing healthier indoor air in homes, schools, and office buildings.
Priority subjects are education in using IAQ tools for schools; asthma; and environmental tobacco smoke. Applicants must discuss environmental outputs and outcomes in their proposed work plan. Projects will be one year in length, starting October 1, 2007. Grants range from $5,000 to $60,000, with specific limits for each of the priority areas.
Guidelines are available at:
http://www.epa.gov/region07/economics/r7_grant_opportunities.htm
DEADLINE: July 9, 2007
Small, Minority Producer Program, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA
PURPOSE: to provide technical assistance to small, minority agricultural producers in rural areas.
This program is not available to ISU or County Extension Districts but may be of interest to selected Extension clients.
Applicants must be a minority cooperative or a minority association of cooperatives whose primary focus is to provide assistance to small, minority agricultural producers and whose governing board and/or membership is comprised of at least 75% minority members. "Minority" includes individuals who have been subject to racial, ethnic, gender prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups and without regard to their individual qualities. Minority groups are Women, African Americans not of Hispanic Origin, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian and Pacific Islanders.
The maximum award amount is $175,000. Approximately 6 awards are anticipated. The project period is one year. Guidelines are available at:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/
DEADLINE: July 30, 2007
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SELECTED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June-September: Research and Demonstration Farm Field Days. http://www.ag.iastate.edu/farms/fielddays.php
June 21: Early-Season Soybean Management Clinic, Field Extension Education Laboratory.
http://www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/soybean.html
June 21-22: National Compost Dairy Barn Conference, Burnsville, MN. For more information go to: http://www.ansci.umn.edu/compostbarnconf.htm
July 7-8: Hands-on Wine Microbiology Course, Food Sciences Bldg, ISU Campus, Ames. For more information contact Jo Gregg at jagregg@iastate.edu
July 9-19: Crop Diagnostic Clinics, Field Extension Education Laboratory.
http://www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/cdc.html
August 7: Soybean Cyst Nematode Clinic, Field Extension Education Laboratory.
http://www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/scn.html
August 9-19: 2007 Iowa State Fair, Des Moines. http://www.iowastatefair.com/
August 20-24: Soybean Rust First Detector Update and Training. http://www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/rust.html
August 28-29: Manure Management Clinic, Field Extension Education Laboratory.
http://www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/manure.html
September 5: Alfalfa Production Clinic. Field Extension Education Laboratory.
http://www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/alfalfa.html
September 5-7: ProBeef 07 Conference at Scheman Bldg., ISU campus, Ames.
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2007/may/072502.htm
September 6: Late-Season Crop Disease Clinic, Field Extension Education Laboratory. http://www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/disease.html
September 18: Soils Clinic, Field Extension Education Laboratory. http://www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/soils.html
ISUE Calendar of Events website: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/
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ANR FIELD & STATE STAFF DIRECTORY UPDATE
The ANR Field & State Staff directory has been revised and is available at:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/contacts.html
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Publisher: Gerald Miller
Managing Editor: Paul Brown
Editor: Julie Honeick