The College of Agriculture Newsletter
Iowa State University
March 3, 1995 No. 13

C O N T E N T S

COLLEGE NEWS
- International programs director named
- Report on strategic plan complete
- Executive associate dean forums
- Nominations for associate deans
- Brenton Center professor-in-charge
- More Brenton Center staff
- Vision workshop March 9
- Vision 2020 video available

COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK

- But, seriously

INFOGRAZING

- Biotech product pipeline

EXTERNAL VOICES

- Education key to rural workplace . . .
- . . . and to future of U.S. food, fiber

MARGINALIA

- Lost and found


C O L L E G E N E W S

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR NAMED
David Acker has been named director of Agricultural International Programs for the College of Agriculture. Acker, director of the Office of International Research and Development at Oregon State University, has 18 years of experience managing international programs. He will start his duties in July or August.

REPORT ON STRATEGIC PLAN COMPLETE
The College Planning Advisory Committee today (Friday) released its report on strategic issues for the College of Agriculture and suggestions for addressing them in the next five years. The 50-page report, "Entering the 21st Century - Planning for Progress," will be used in discussions of a strategic plan for the college. Dean Topel or committee chair Mike Chaplain plan to meet with every group that provided input to the report. A college townhall meeting and meetings around the state also will be scheduled. The target for completing the college's strategic plan is this fall. Copies of the report may be picked up at the Horticulture Department office, 110 Horticulture, or Ag Information, 304 Curtiss.

EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATE DEAN FORUMS
Open forums are set for the three candidates for the College of Agriculture's executive associate dean position. Candidates and forums are: Colin Scanes, Rutgers University, 3:15 p.m., Thursday, March 9; Dennis LeMaster, Purdue University, 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 14; and Michael Chaplin, Iowa State University, 11 a.m., Monday, March 20. All forums will be held in 1951 Food Sciences Building.

NOMINATIONS FOR ASSOCIATE DEANS
The search committee for the three associate dean positions in the college is still accepting applications. The positions are: associate dean for national programs, associate dean for state programs and associate dean for industry programs. If you'd like to submit a nomination, contact Michael Chaplin, 294-3718.

BRENTON CENTER PROFESSOR-IN-CHARGE
Wade Miller has been named professor-in-charge of the Brenton Center for Agricultural Instruction and Technology Transfer. Miller, a professor of agricultural education and studies, will lead Brenton Center programs to help faculty and staff use new technology in classes and other educational programs. He has expertise in instructional methods and conducts research in instructional technology. He also was chair of the articulation committee, coordinating efforts by all departments in the college and Iowa's community colleges. Miller will continue teaching, research and outreach activities in the department.

MORE BRENTON CENTER STAFF
Five others will have assignments in the Brenton Center: David Doerfert, coordinator, off-campus programs; Helen Olson, off-campus program adviser; Patti Wright, secretary; and Allan Schmidt and Kevin Koester, video specialists.

VISION WORKSHOP MARCH 9
Vision 2020, the effort to envision the future for food systems and education at ISU and Iowa community colleges, will hold an ISU Vision Workshop, Thursday, March 9, 1-4 p.m., 101 Carver. Registration is required. Contact the Vision 2020 office, 294-2092.

VISION 2020 VIDEO
What is Vision 2020? A videotape describing the program and its goals is available. Contact Karen Lind, 294-2092.

C O M M U N I C A T I O N S K I O S K

BUT, SERIOUSLY
The word "but" can negate what you hoped would be a positive statement. "This is very nice, but I think it contains too much jargon." "That's an interesting idea, but won't it be expensive?" "I appreciate your hard work, but I'm afraid you've missed the point." "I'd like to help, but my hands are tied." If the first part of the statement is sincere, say it -- even better, amplify it. Then, instead of "but," ask questions and discuss what steps might be or must be taken. Beware the three-letter word. Tip from Ag Information.

I N F O G R A Z I N G

BIOTECH PRODUCT PIPELINE
Genetically engineered products awaiting various government approvals include altered-oil-composition canola; herbicide-resistant cotton and soybean; delayed-ripening and thicker-skinned tomatoes; insect-resistant cotton and potato; virus-resistant squash; enhanced nitrogen-fixing bacteria (to boost alfalfa yield); and a virus vaccine to control rabies in raccoons. A delayed-ripening tomato and an insect-controlling soil bacterium are on the market. (The Gene Exchange, December 1994)

E X T E R N A L V O I C E S

EDUCATION KEY TO RURAL WORKPLACE . . .
Information technology now allows employees to work and live in rural areas instead of cities. Rural communities must supply the infrastructure needed to support computerized work environments, including educational systems that are "doing the right things," said Allan Van Thomme, associate director of information systems, Principal Financial Group. "This doesn't mean teaching computers and programming. It means teaching people how to think, write and communicate -- the kinds of things people will need to work in this kind of environment." Van Thomme spoke this week at the 1995 National Forum for Agriculture.

. . . AND TO FUTURE OF U.S. FOOD, FIBER
"U.S. food and fiber systems form a fabric that touches every part of our lives. The strength of that fabric then becomes an important issue to us all . . . There are more jobs (now) in agribusiness than there are college graduates to fill them . . . High schools are simply not preparing students for careers in agricultural sciences and related areas. That means the fabric of our food and fiber systems is likely to be stretched and perhaps torn in the future as we in agribusiness strive to meet the needs and demands of society." -- Charles Johnson, executive vice president, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, at a meeting this week on the future of agriculture in the classroom, which included representatives from the College of Agriculture, Des Moines Public Schools, the National FFA Organization and other agribusinesses.

M A R G I N A L I A

LOST AND FOUND
A study by Magnavox reveals that more than half of Americans lose their TV remote between 1 and 5 times a week, while a tenth misplace it 6 to 10 times. Sixty-three percent spend 5 minutes searching for it; 16 percent hunt 10 minutes. Most find it hiding in the furniture or in a nearby room. Six percent say they usually find it in the fridge. (Newsweek, Oct. 3, 1994)

AG ONLINE

Ag Online is a bimonthly electronic newsletter for ISU College of Agriculture faculty and staff. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag Online subscribe" to bmeyer@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe: Send "Ag Online unsubscribe" to same address. Comments? Call, write, e-mail or fax editors Brian Meyer (bmeyer@iastate.edu) and Ed Adcock (edadcock@iastate.edu), Agriculture Information Services, 304 Curtiss Hall, Ames, IA 50011. Phone: 515-294-5616. Fax: 515-294-8662.
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