Hello, CALS,
This week, I will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the AAAS-Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Foundation (RMF) events that happen each year, and that Iowa State has had a role in for many years. I am serving as the president of the RMF, and pleased that on Nov. 15, we’ll have the keynote speaker be Joe Cornelius from Gates Ag One Innovation, followed by a panel. Cornelius will be presenting on the current and hoped for future state of global food production with a special emphasis on Africa. It will be a compelling presentation. The lecture is available online and in-person – please considering attending one way or the other – and registering!
The next morning, Nov. 16, there will be a policy roundtable, also available online, and that should be an interesting conversation, too. The current state of the Farm Bill and the importance of federal support for agriculture research and development will be a focus of the session. It will be moderated by Cathie Woteki. Please register for that as well!
On a more somber note, last week, on Nov. 8, we lost a great friend, colleague, scientist and advocate for the food sector. Richard Gates, who had a joint professorial appointment in the Departments of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Animal Science, came to Iowa State after a great career at the University of Kentucky and University of Illinois to direct the Egg Industry Center (EIC). The EIC serves North America, and CALS has the distinct privilege of being the host and home to the Center. Rich did terrific work with his Center colleagues, Lesa Vold, Maro Ibarburu-Blanc and Brett Ramirez, and truly made a difference in the egg industry in so many ways. He also served as the interim department chair for animal science for a time. During the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza challenges in the Midwest, he was on the road, helping growers everywhere know how best to handle their struggling and endangered flocks. Let's all please take a moment to recall Rich, to think about his impact, and to collectively remember one of our CALS community who is no longer with us. A private celebration of life will be held on a later date. Read his obituary.
My best - Dan
Scenes from CALS
Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension professionals from across the state gathered in Ames on Oct. 16-17for professional development. Included in the group were faculty and staff from campus, as well as field and county staff throughout Iowa.
Last week, retired CALS associate dean Joe Colletti continued his 12-year history of supporting the Horticulture Club to plant bulbs around Curtiss Hall. Beautiful day to beautify the campus! Thanks, Joe!
Walter Suza, agronomy, gives the opening keynote address to more than 100 students at the start of the 2023 Food Insecurity Challenge in the Student Innovation Center. This is the second year of this terrific activity sponsored by CALS, the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Ivy College of Business. This 3.5 week challenge will culminate with presentations and judging on Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. in the Student Innovation Center. Please come out and see the presentations of student team ideas for addressing food stress in Iowa. Carmen Bain, Kevin Kimle and Judi Eyles are the key players behind this great activity.
Fun in the sun as Iowa State Student Government sponsored an alternative way to prepare excess pumpkins for compost - by smashing them.
