Message from the Dean - June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Hello, CALS,

We have a short week with the Fourth of July on Friday! Enjoy the long weekend.

Last week, a number of key things happened in the college, including a celebration at the Northern Research and Demonstration Farm for its 95th anniversary and for the opening of a new building there! This new building with offices, a conference room, a multi-purpose room and a shop is the new “front door” of the college in the north central region of the state, and a very welcome addition to the utility and future of the station. It was great to have speakers at the event: Farm Superintendent Matt Schnable, Farm Association President Greg Guenther and a recorded message from President Wintersteen. Vice President for Extension and Outreach Jason Henderson, CALS Associate Dean for Extension Programs and Outreach Jay Harmon, Associate Dean for Facilities and Operations Kendall Lamkey and I had a chance to say a few words, too, followed by a cookout and great conversation.

Last week, we announced the change from Ruth MacDonald to Mike Retallick as our CALS associate dean for personnel and finance, which will take effect July 1. Mike will continue as chair of the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies until August, when Jeff Iles steps forward to be interim chair for the department, and Ruth will continue as interim chair for the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. That’s a lot of moving parts, with outstanding people leaning in to help carry us forward.   

Have a good week, a safe and fun Fourth of July, and all the best - Dan

Scenes from CALS

Robotic mower on a green, grassy lawn.
A robotic lawn mower was being tried by Facilities Planning and Managment on Central Campus last week. Coincidentally, a mysterious electrical wire was found taped to the floor in the third floor landing of Curtiss Hall, going up to the attic. Turns out it was to connect the GPS to operate the mower. Advanced technology coming to lawn care right in front of us!
Robotic mower creating a mowed path beneath the Campanile bell tower on Iowa State's campus.
The robotic mower creates a mowed pathway on Central Campus near the Campanile.
Two people sitting in seats inside an empty auditorium.
Gayland ('71 farm operation) and Earlene Hall from Harrison County, Iowa, get a reprieve from the heat inside Curtiss Hall's Dolezal Auditorium while on campus recently for their granddaughter's incoming student orientation – she will be a freshman in wildlife and fisheries conservation and ecology (formerly known as animal ecology). Gayland started his degree program at Iowa State in 1963, then was called to serve in the Vietnam War before returning to complete his farm operation degree. Together, we reminisced about 1960 era classes held in the auditorium (trigonometry was the one that came to Gayland's immediate thoughts). After we chatted, I encouraged them visit the Iowa State Creamery!
Black, white and yellow caterpillar on the stem of a milkweed plant.
Joel Rybolt, systems analyst for the Department of Agronomy, shared this image of a caterpillar he noticed last week on a milkweed plant in his Ankeny yard. He said this is the second one he has found this year. It was around 1.75" long and likely has gone off to form a chrysalis (or soon will).