The College of Agriculture Newsletter
Iowa State University
December 29, 1995 No. 34

COLLEGE NEWS
- Jan. 12 deadline for Leopold meeting grants
- Deadlines & Reminders
COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
- Emotional intelligence: Inspiration for '96
INFOGRAZING
- Some farm-animal breeds face extinction
EXTERNAL VOICES
- Taking science to the public
MARGINALIA
- Hemp and haute couture

JAN. 12 DEADLINE FOR LEOPOLD MEETING GRANTS
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has a quarterly grants program that supports conferences or workshops relevant to the center's mission. Grants for up to $2,500 per proposal are available. Proposals are reviewed by center staff, farmers and representatives from potential user groups. Friday, Jan. 12, is the first-quarter deadline for submission of proposals. Conferences or workshops must take place at least 45 days after the notification date, which is March 7 for this quarter. For complete details, request a brochure from the Leopold Center, 209 Curtiss, 294-3711.

DEADLINES & REMINDERS
Jan. 3: Foreign travel grant applications due, 122 Curtiss
Jan. 5: Iowa Corn Promotion Board meeting on research funding, Food Sciences Building, 9 a.m.
Jan. 18: College of Agriculture spring convocation, Lush Auditorium, 4 p.m.
Jan. 31: Ag Student of the Year nominations due, Iowa Agriculturist, 16H Hamilton

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: INSPIRATION FOR '96
Just in case you missed the news stories and debate about "emotional intelligence," here's a recap that may serve as inspiration for a New Year's resolution: Researchers are finding that emotional intelligence -- the ability to get along with others and make good personal decisions -- counts more than academic intelligence in achieving a successful life. Daniel Goleman, a Harvard-educated psychologist and behavioral reporter for the New York Times, says emotional intelligence involves knowing one's own feelings and using them to make good decisions; managing feelings to control stress levels; motivating oneself despite persistent setbacks; remaining hopeful; delaying gratification; empathizing and maintaining rapport with others; and cooperating and handling feelings in relationships. These skills are important even among talented pools of high-IQ people, where workers who are cooperative, persuasive, empathetic and can build consensus are consistently valued the most. (Daniel Goleman, "Emotional Intelligence," Bantam Books, 1995)

SOME FARM-ANIMAL BREEDS FACE EXTINCTION
A United Nations report on domestic animal diversity shows that 873 breeds are "at risk," meaning fewer than 1,000 females or 20 breeding males exist. The report contained the results of a survey of 3,882 breeds of 28 species of mostly farm animals. "The goal . . . was to assess the importance of biodiversity to humankind and point out how we are losing biodiversity at a truly alarming rate," said R.T. Watson, project chairman and associate director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Experts worry that farmers will have a shrinking pool of breeds to draw on to keep up with changing environmental conditions, pests and new diseases. (New York Times, Dec. 7)

TAKING SCIENCE TO THE PUBLIC
"(Scientists) should seize opportunities to sit for personal interviews and to submit letters or articles, geared toward the general public, that shed light on current issues in which we have expertise . . . We should ask to visit local schools and civic organizations for discussions with students and parents, and we should be prepared to address uncomfortable questions that may arise about the role of science in modern life . . . None of what I have suggested is familiar behavior or comfortable territory for the typical scientist. But then, science is about challenging the comfortable boundaries of knowledge. If science is to regain significant public and legislative support, we must abandon comfort and meet the challenge -- now." Richard S. Nicholson, executive officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science, writing in the Sept. 8 Chronicle of Higher Education.

HEMP AND HAUTE COUTURE
Middle America is catching on to a trend that's becoming more acceptable in other parts of the country: hemp clothing. Once verboten because of its common origin with marijuana, the cannabis plant, hemp fabric is now cited for its strength and ease of production. Though Iowa doesn't have hemp specialty stores like those on the coasts, more Iowans are ordering hemp clothes from mail-order companies. A Virginia company, which imports its hemp products from Europe, says hemp doesn't need pesticides, improves soil and prevents erosion. (Des Moines Business Record, Dec. 4)

Ag Online is a biweekly 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? Contact 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.

Next issue: Jan. 12. Deadline: Jan. 8.