http://www.ag.iastate.edu/ Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences - News Releases http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1018/ Wed, 23 May 2012 11:41:14 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1018/
The event is open to the public and will include tours of the barns from 6:30 – 10:30 a.m. The discovery center for children will open at 7 a.m. Free samples of milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream will be available courtesy of Iowa’s dairy processors.

The dairy farm, which opened in 2007, includes free stall, dry cow and heifer buildings designed for young cows and cows preparing to calve. The milking center also houses offices, a classroom, milking parlor and a public-viewing area. The state-of-the-art facility sits on 887 acres, three miles south of campus.

In 2012, Iowa had 1,820 dairy farms, including 219 goat farms, and 204,000 milk cows, which produce 4.5 billion pounds of milk and 240 million pounds of cheese annually. Iowa ranks fourth in ice cream production, sixth in cottage cheese production, seventh in the number of dairy herds and eighth in total dairy products processed in the United States. The dairy industry accounts for more than 22,000 jobs and contributes more than $4.9 billion annually to Iowa’s economy. Each cow in the state generates more than $23,000 for local communities.

The celebration sponsors include Iowa State, the Iowa State Dairy Farm, Midwest Dairy Association, Iowa State Dairy Association, Western Iowa Dairy Alliance, Hy-Vee of Ames, and Roberts, Swiss Valley Farms and Land O’Lakes dairy processors.]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1017/ Mon, 14 May 2012 13:03:28 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1017/
The association’s $400,000 gift commitment — half announced last fall and the other half approved by the IPPA board in February — will help establish the Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center on land south of campus.

“The Iowa Pork Producers Association’s generous gift will help ensure our students have a high-quality facility for working with, caring for and learning about animals,” said Wendy Wintersteen, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “We appreciate the pork producers’ commitment and the many ways IPPA has led the way in strengthening Iowa State programs that provide education, research and extension in support of animal agriculture in Iowa.”

“Iowa State University is integral to the success of Iowa’s hog farmers and the future of the industry, so we’re excited to give back and play a role in the completion of this important project,” said Bill Tentinger, president of IPPA and a pork producer and farmer from Le Mars. “The Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center will be a tremendous addition to ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and greatly enhance the educational opportunities for students.”

That’s important, said Tentinger, because one of IPPA’s concerns is the declining number of young people returning to the farm after college. “IPPA leadership believes this donation is an investment in the future of pork production in Iowa,” he said.

The Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center will be located on land used by the Department of Animal Science’s equine program. The facility will include an indoor 125-foot-by-250-foot arena with seating for 1,000 people, a set of classrooms and a conference room. The center will be a versatile, multipurpose resource for courses, labs, training programs, student club and judging team activities, and public events.

With the IPPA’s gift, plus the March announcement of a $2 million gift from Jeff and Deb Hansen of West Des Moines, a total of $6.6 million has been raised. Construction of the $7 million center will be funded entirely through private gifts. Iowa State expects to break ground on the project in the fall.

The IPPA also is a supporter of ISU’s Biorenewables Complex, a campus facility now under construction that will house the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. Last fall, the IPPA committed $200,000 to the project.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association is an industry-inclusive organization whose mission is to provide a unified voice to promote and educate for a sustainable, socially responsible, profitable and globally competitive pork industry.

##]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1016/ Fri, 04 May 2012 09:03:01 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1016/
The grant will fund analysis focused on farm and agriculture; the environment; rural economies; and consumer, food and nutrition.

“We will be able to support critical economic modeling infrastructure that allows us to deliver research findings addressing issues such as the design of farm programs, water quality, health and nutrition programs, rural development and many others," said Cathy Kling, CARD’s interim director and an Iowa State economics professor.

Kling said the grant marks an important transition for CARD towards competitive grants and away from Congressionally directed funding, or earmarks.

“This grant show our capacity to thrive in a post-earmark environment,” she said. “The recent shift away from earmarks has posed challenges, but the center’s ability to compete effectively for grant funding highlights the significance of its work.”

"In a constantly changing federal funding landscape, we are continuously challenged to demonstrate that we have the expertise and capacity to deliver cutting-edge, policy-relevant research that meets the highest academic standards," said Kling. "I am delighted that CARD faculty and staff were successful in this first attempt to compete for these significant research dollars.”

Since 1958, CARD has conducted innovative public policy and economic research on agricultural, environmental, and food issues designed to inform and benefit society. CARD researchers develop and apply economic theory, quantitative methods, and interdisciplinary approaches to create relevant knowledge. Communication efforts target state and federal policymakers; the research community; agricultural, food, and environmental groups; individual decision makers; and international audiences. CARD is located in the Department of Economics at Iowa State. ]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1015/ Tue, 01 May 2012 13:18:03 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1015/
On May 5, graduates with the degree will walk across the stage and into a world of challenges. Sam Bird is one of the first graduates to obtain a degree in the major, which was first offered to students in the fall of 2009. He decided to attend Iowa State because of the program.

Bird, who grew up in Ames, said he was originally headed to San Francisco to attend college. That changed when David Acker, Iowa State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences associate dean of academic and global programs, contacted him and explained the global resource systems major at Iowa State.

The program allows students to choose an international region as their focus of study. Before graduating students learn the language and understand the resource issues in the specific region.

Gail Nonnecke, a university professor in horticulture and faculty coordinator of the Global Resource Systems program, said the major attracts students who are interested in addressing global issues in both developing and developed nations.

“This program provides a chance to develop a deep understanding of another culture through internships and coursework,” Nonnecke said. “It’s also a wonderful opportunity for Iowa businesses that want graduates who can speak the language and understand resource issues, the culture and agriculture of a specific region of the world.”

Bird was one of the first students to sign up for the major. He also was one of the first student peer mentors in the learning community. He says it’s amazing what he’s learned from other students.

“They go to Thailand, Morocco, India, China, all over the world,” Bird said. “It’s what my classmates do every summer.”

Bird focused on Uganda where he completed a value chain analysis for corn markets in eastern Uganda – information that will help small landholder farmers. The message Bird shares with his peers, international students and even United Nations leaders, is that we all have to work together to make the world sustainable.

Bird participated in the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development from 2009 through 2011, and was selected as a Udall Scholar. He plans to attend graduate school in agricultural and resource economics to study international development.
“I’ve always believed that students need to have a global perspective, but I never guessed how much I personally would learn by working with these students,” Nonnecke said. “We have students who do amazing things. This summer six students are attending the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil and more than 20 are completing internships in Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America, South America and North America. “

The program has 85 students enrolled. Nonnecke said these are the future global leaders in business, government and nongovernmental organizations.

“These students will think systemically about solving complex problems involving global resources,” Nonnecke said. “They have a bright future and will contribute to understanding how to sustain food and agriculture resources for the nine billion people estimated to populate the earth in 2050.”
]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1014/ Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:37:42 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1014/
To compete, students developed a business plan and professional presentation to market a new product or service. This year the team marketed Caridea Farms fresh Iowa-raised shrimp. The team was judged by a panel of marketing and agribusiness professionals. The chapter’s marketing team advanced to the final round of competition, ultimately beating out 29 other universities for the first place honors. This is the first time Iowa State University has won the national competition.

The chapter also won the John Deere Signature award for overall points accrued for student participation, involvement in the national competition, scholarship awards and annual report. The team received $3,000 with the award that will be used for future chapter activities.

Team members included: Darrin Rahn of Milledgeville, Ill. and Kaci Demott of Rockport, Mo., seniors in agricultural business; Brittany Jurgemeyer of Rockwell, a senior in public service and administration in agriculture; Abby Webb of Wapello, senior in marketing; Jessica Kuehner of Lawler, senior in agricultural studies; Alyssa Foster of Riverside, senior in agricultural education; Ellie Weiss of Ames, junior in agricultural studies; Andy Edson of Nashua, and Marcie Stevenson of Wheatland, juniors in agricultural business; Beth Irlbeck of Dedham, junior in public service and administration in agriculture; Traci Tiernan of Granger, junior in agricultural education, communications option; Katy Darrah of Monmouth, Ill., junior in agronomy; Alicia Humphrey of Ixonia, Wis., sophomore in agricultural education, communications option; Donna McCune of Manlius, Ill., Emily Flory of Denver, Breanne Wagner of Webster City, Joy Tong of Ningbo, China, and Dacia Dykstra of Decorah, all sophomores in agricultural business; Tanner Walleser of Lansing, freshman in pre-business; and Jordan Neighbor of Alburnett, and Calvin McBride of Alburnett, both freshman in agricultural business.

The team is coached by Stacey Noe, Agricultural Entrepreneurial Initiative program coordinator; Carly Cummings, Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative program assistant; and Lori Youngberg, CALS Distance Education program coordinator.

##]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1013/ Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:23:32 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1013/
"We are grateful that Iowa State University has partnered with the World Food Prize to create this unique opportunity for Iowa high school students," said Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation. "We want to inspire young minds to think globally, and get students interested early on in the incredibly critical areas of food security, science, agriculture and humanitarian outreach."

Youth selected to participate prepared a paper on an important issue related to feeding the world’s population. While at ISU they will present their papers to a panel of experts and receive feedback on their work, and the top students will be invited to participate in the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in October.

The students will hear keynote speakers from Iowa who are leading the fight against hunger on a global scale, and will tour Iowa State facilities and meet faculty engaged in combatting world hunger.

“The World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute represents an incredible opportunity for Iowa high school students to make a personal commitment to solving world hunger problems by pursuing careers in science,” said David Acker, associate dean for academic and global programs at Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the lead unit on campus which is organizing the event with assistance from ISU Extension.

“ISU is proud to have been a partner with the World Food Prize for more than 20 years and is tremendously excited to host this new World Food Prize youth program,” Acker said.

The Iowa Youth Institute was made possible by a gift from Paul and Claudia Schickler to the World Food Prize and through funds from Iowa State University.

A schedule of the day and details for press are available at: http://www.worldfoodprize.org/iyipress. More information is available at: http://www.worldfoodprize.org/en/youth_programs/global_youth_institute/iowa/.
]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1012/ Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:01:05 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1012/
Keri Jacobs, an assistant professor of economics, will begin serving in the position on Aug. 15. Jacobs joined the ISU faculty in 2010 with interests in economics related to agricultural business, land-use decisions and agricultural policy.

The Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, which represents 150 cooperatives in the state, has expressed its commitment to support Jacobs’ research and extension program. The nonprofit association currently is undertaking a fundraising project with a goal of $1 million.

“This is one of the most exciting periods in history for Iowa agriculture,” said David Holm, executive director for the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives. “Cooperatives play a significant role in Iowa agriculture and we enthusiastically look forward to working with Dr. Jacobs to address our members’ needs today and in the future.”

The cooperatives economist position is similar to one held for 31 years by Roger Ginder, an ISU professor of economics who retired in 2010. Ginder was a nationally recognized expert in cooperative financial and strategic management.

In her new position, Jacobs will develop research and extension activities on the economics of cooperatives and related organizations, with an emphasis on the agribusiness sector. Areas of activity may include the role of cooperatives in the evolving industrial organization of agricultural markets; vertical integration; innovation and product development; contracting; ownership, control rights and governance structures; organizational strategies; finance and the equity structure of cooperative firms; regulation and taxation of cooperative entities; and risk and risk-sharing in commodity markets.

Jacobs’ extension and outreach plans include professional development opportunities for cooperative members, boards of directors and other cooperative leaders. She also will teach an undergraduate course in cooperative economics.

Since joining Iowa State, Jacobs has worked on research related to conservation, bioenergy production and distribution, environmental and feed availability concerns for pork producers and other areas. She has taught courses in agricultural finance, farm business management and applied economic optimization.

Jacobs, a native of Monticello, Iowa, earned a doctorate in economics from North Carolina State University and bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from Coe College.
]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1011/ Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:16:31 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1011/
Deborah Diersen-Schade received the Alumni Award of Merit. Diersen-Schade received bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in animal science at Iowa State. She is director of global scientific affairs for Mead Johnson Nutrition. The award is given to alumni who have contributed to the agriculture industry in exceptional ways.

Douglas Kenealy, University Professor in animal science, received the Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture Award. Kenealy received a bachelor's degree in dairy science and a doctorate in animal science at Iowa State. The award recognizes exemplary contributions to agriculture in the form of teaching, research, extension, international or other service.

Three Mission Awards were presented, which recognize faculty in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who have made exceptional contributions in helping Iowa State achieve its mission. The Teaching Award was presented to Phil Spike, animal science. Jack Dekkers, animal science, received the Research Award. The International Award was presented to Robert Rust, animal science.

The honor society also recognized two undergraduates. Brent Sexton of Rockwell, received the Sophomore Scholarship. Joseph Thomas, Camanche, received the Senior Scholarship. Both Sexton and Thomas are majoring in animal science. These awards are presented to students who earn the highest grade point average in the sophomore and senior classes.

Three faculty, 61 undergraduate students, 64 graduate and veterinary medicine students and one alumni were inducted into the honor society at the event.

New chapter officers were installed. They are Ann Marie VanDerZanden, horticulture, president; Curtis Youngs, animal science, vice president; Terri Boylston, food science and human nutrition, secretary-treasurer; and Cynthia Haynes, horticulture, historian. Outgoing president is Michael Retallick, agricultural education and studies.

The purpose of Gamma Sigma Delta is to encourage excellence in the practice of agricultural pursuits and high standards of scholarship in all areas of agricultural science and education.
]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1010/ Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:26:28 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1010/
Ajay Nair, extension vegetable specialist, noticed damage to fruit blossoms at the Horticulture Research Station near Gilbert after the first night, April 10, and temperatures were even colder April 11. Pictures of the damage he found are available at: http://iowavegetables.blogspot.com/

Paul Domoto, extension fruit specialist, said the temperature dipped to 20 degrees F at the horticultural station, a temperature that damages plants but especially those near the ground, like strawberries. Strawberries are most vulnerable at bloom, however, only the earliest cultivars have reached this stage of development.

He said grape vines also would suffer damage to emerged shoots, but dormant, secondary buds will replace the injured shoots, and depending upon the cultivar characteristic, have the potential to produce a near-normal crop.

Nair said vegetable growers in central Iowa held back planting most of their crops to prevent losing extensive plantings to the potential cold. Some had taken a chance and planted a few rows. Some vegetables, such as lettuce and spinach, are more hardy, but are still susceptible if the temperatures fall into the 20s.

The problem with the fruit crops is that the early spring weather sped up blooming, which is a particularly sensitive stage for the plants. Domoto said although there has been damage it’s too early to say how bad the freezes were until growers can assess the conditions in their areas, because site conditions and stage of bud and/or shoot development will have a significant influence on the extent of injury.

Nick Howell, superintendent of the Horticultural Research Station, doesn’t expect much of an apple crop because of the freezes, and there was “significant damage” to the station’s vineyard and strawberries. Apple trees typically are “in jeopardy” until the middle of May, he said.

Unfortunately, Howell said the expense of pest management in the apple orchard must be maintained even though there are few, if any, apples produced. ]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1009/ Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:03:58 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1009/
Micah Smidt and Zachary Koopman will work at the Northern Research Farm near Kanawha, and the Agricultural Engineering/Agronomy Farm near Boone, respectively.

ISU FARM will extend the reach of the research farms near Kanawha and Boone. A network of cooperators in the surrounding counties will be established to conduct research on their farms.

Smidt and Koopman will assist cooperators in choosing topics related to corn or soybeans, designing and laying out the study, planting the test strips, applying the experimental treatments, and collecting and analyzing the data. Smidt also will work with farmers in northeast Iowa near the ISU Northeast Research Farm near Nashua.

Smidt of Kanawha earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Iowa State in 2010, and has experience as a crop consultant and production agriculture. Koopman of Boone earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Iowa State in 2009, and has worked with custom application, crop protection and production agriculture.

ISU FARM is supported by the local associations that own the research farms: North Central Iowa Research Association, Kanawha; Northeast Iowa Agricultural Experimental Association, Nashua; and the Committee for Agricultural Development, Ames. Ag Ventures Alliance, a Mason City business development group for value-added agricultural ventures, and the Iowa Soybean Association also have invested in the program.
]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1008/ Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:43:10 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1008/
The Zirakparvar Research Endowment in Plant Pathology is intended “to advance the excellence of research within the department to continue its world class reputation,” according to the donors. Both earned plant pathology degrees at Iowa State under the guidance of professor Don Norton, a nematologist, with Esmail earning master’s and doctoral degrees in 1977 and 1979, and Mary graduating with a master’s degree in 1980.

After a long international career in the agricultural industry, Esmail Zirakparvar retired as president and CEO of Bayer CropScience Inc. in 2006. Mary worked in the nematology field at Clemson University and North Carolina State University for a number of years following her graduation from Iowa State.

“For six years, Don Norton guided my scientific formation and demonstrated a wonderful way to deal with people,” Esmail Zirakparvar said. “I am indeed fortunate to have trained under this legend in the field of nematology and this great example of true human dignity.”

Norton joined the Iowa State faculty in 1959 and retired in 1989. He died in 2007. Zirakparvar delivered a presentation at the Dr. Don C. Norton Lecture, held at Iowa State in 2008 to honor his former professor.

Thomas Baum, chair of the plant pathology and microbiology department, said this is the first research endowment established in the department.

“Earnings from this endowment could be used to recruit graduate students or for fellowship support to help attract excellent students,” he said. “That’s the challenge we all have — to get the best students. This will be a great tool to do that.”

The plant pathology and microbiology department has 21 faculty members. About 40 graduate students study and conduct basic and applied research.]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1007/ Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:53:12 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1007/
The ISU study showed overall economic impact from river recreation along 73 Iowa river and stream segments supported more than 6,350 jobs with $824 million in sales and $130 million of personal income.

"In addition to recreational benefits, the results show that there are sizable local economic benefits from spending by visitors," said Dan Otto, professor of economics and an ISU Extension and Outreach economist.

Researchers in ISU’s Department of Economics and Center for Agricultural and Rural Development conducted the study with funding from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The most visited river segment in the study, the Mississippi River from Clinton to Muscatine, had 1.1 million total trips for fishing, trails, relaxation and wildlife viewing, resulting in more than $35.9 million in total spending in 2009.

“Rivers have long been the lifeblood of Iowa communities and one of our state’s best attractions. These study results show just how large of an impact our rivers and streams have on local communities and state tourism,” said Nate Hoogeveen, the Iowa DNR’s Rivers Program coordinator. “We hope these findings encourage Iowans to discover nature along rivers and continue embracing vibrant waterfronts in towns.”

Easy access to the study’s information on use, common activities and economic impact for each river segment in the state is available through an interactive website at www.card.iastate.edu/environment/nonmarket_valuation/iowa_rivers/.

In 2009, almost 4,800 people responded to the researchers’ survey asking about river visitation patterns, activities and attitudes that affected respondents’ decisions to visit rivers. Researchers further analyzed the survey data to better understand what influences river and stream corridor use patterns and the economic impact of Iowa’s rivers and stream corridors.

Other highlights of the study include:
• River segments ranked highest by visitation tend to be near population centers.
• River segments ranked highest by overall appeal differ considerably from those ranked by visitation numbers.
• When breaking down the overall appeal of a segment, “canoe-ability,” border rivers and the land use surrounding the river segment have significant effects.

ISU economics professors Joseph Herriges and Catherine Kling conducted and tabulated the survey. The researchers commend the results to the funding agencies as a useful tool to guide citizens and policymakers in decisions about conservation expenditures to improve the outdoor recreation experience of Iowans in the most cost-effective manner.
]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1006/ Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:23:38 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1006/
The workshop is aimed at providing technicians, engineers, designers and companies wanting to incorporate this technology with the tools required to use biopolymers and biocomposites for product design and manufacturing. It will take place in the Memorial Union on the Iowa State campus.

The workshop will focus on formulating protein-based polymers, vegetable oil polymers, adhesives, composites and polyesters through fermentation; as well as processing technologies such as injection molding, extrusion, compression molding and casting. Speakers also will cover the assessment of mechanical, thermal and microstructural properties of biopolymers and biocomposites.

Speakers from universities and businesses are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Tours of Iowa State’s Technology Transfer Pilot Plant and Polymer Characterization Laboratory, facilities that do biopolymer and biocomposite research, will conclude the workshop.

The workshop is part of a three-day series of workshops related to plastics. More information about the Plastics Manufacturing Technical Resources Workshop on Aug. 13 and the Bioplastic Container Cropping Systems Conference on Aug. 15 is available here: http://www.biocom.iastate.edu/workshop/index.html.

The Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team at Iowa State is organizing the workshop. The team was established in 1995 to promote research in the development of biorenewable polymers from Midwest crops, encourage bioplastics in industry and work towards new formulations and processing techniques. The research team operates under the Center for Crops Utilization Research.

Workshop registration is open online at: http://www.biocom.iastate.edu/workshop/bioworkshop.html. The workshop’s agenda with information on the plenary and keynote speakers is located at: http://www.biocom.iastate.edu/workshop/agenda.html.
]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1005/ Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:32:03 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1005/
“We appreciate Sauer-Danfoss’ generous donation and its commitment to helping us achieve the highest quality student education possible,” said Steve Mickelson, chair of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. “This equipment will help our students better understand fundamental technologies and concepts in a way that hasn’t been possible before.”

“The donation, centered around the company’s novel PLUS+1 controls platform, represents the latest, most advanced technology that Sauer-Danfoss produces, so it truly will provide students with up-to-date, real-world experience,” said Brian Steward, an associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering who teaches fluid power engineering and technology and dynamic systems modeling and controls. “Students who learn using PLUS+1 tools and components will be that much more prepared to enter highly skilled technology careers right after graduation, which we know the industry values highly.”

The PLUS+1 technology, which includes electronics, user interface technology and associated components, will be integrated into ISU’s fluid power laboratory used for instruction of more than 100 students each year majoring in agricultural engineering, mechanical engineering, agricultural systems technology and industrial technology.

Advanced technology and electronics in fluid power hydraulics are critical to operating nearly every kind of agricultural machinery and construction equipment today, from tractors and combines to global positioning systems. Iowa State’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering prepares students to understand the sophisticated integration of electronics, fluid power, mechanical systems and precision technology present in many modern machines and equipment.

Besides the recent donation, a gift commitment from the company will establish the Sauer-Danfoss Fluid Power Laboratory in the new campus building that will house the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. Construction will begin this spring.

About Sauer-Danfoss
Sauer-Danfoss Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of engineered hydraulic and electronic systems and components for use primarily in applications of mobile equipment. Sauer-Danfoss, with 2011 revenues of approximately $2.1 billion, has sales, manufacturing and engineering capabilities in Europe, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region. Locally, Sauer-Danfoss has a major manufacturing and engineering center in Ames, Iowa. More details online at www.sauer-danfoss.com.

]]> http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1004/ Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:57:44 -0500 http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1004/
Jeff and Deb Hansen pledged $2 million to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for the project. On Wednesday, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa approved a request to name the facility in honor of the Hansens.

“We are so grateful to the Hansens for their generosity in making this facility a reality,” said Wendy Wintersteen, Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Thanks to them, the Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center will be an invaluable asset for students to sharpen their skills working with, caring for and learning about animals. It also will be a versatile, multipurpose resource accessible to students campus-wide and a place to showcase university activities to the community.”

The center will be located on land south of campus now used by the Department of Animal Science’s equine program. The facility will include an indoor 125-foot-by-250-foot arena with seating for 1,000 people, a set of classrooms and a conference room. The center will be used for courses, labs, training programs, student club and judging team activities, and public events.

“Deb and I are pleased to invest in the future of our state by supporting this project which will enhance teaching in animal sciences and agriculture,” said Jeff Hansen. “This facility will provide an invaluable learning environment for young people for both coursework and extracurricular events that build tomorrow’s leaders. The commitment toward construction of the Agriculture Student Learning Center makes a compelling statement about the promising futures in animal agriculture and many related fields.”

Construction of the $7 million center will be funded entirely through private gifts. With the Hansens’ gift, more than $6 million has been raised. The university expects groundbreaking to be scheduled this fall.

“The Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center will be a much-needed, all-weather facility that will reinforce the learning experience for hundreds of students each year,” said Maynard Hogberg, chair of the Department of Animal Science. “We envision the facility will be heavily used year-round, for teaching during the week and for student activities and outreach events on weekends and during the summer. We also see the center as a great venue for 4-H and FFA events and activities that welcomes the next generation of agricultural leaders."

Jeff and Deb Hansen are third-generation family farmers and pork producers. In 1992 they founded Iowa Select Farms, a pork production company headquartered in Iowa Falls, Iowa, which employs 1,000 people in 45 counties. The Hansens established the Deb and Jeff Hansen/Iowa Select Farms Foundation to provide ongoing support for community development and service by working with and through philanthropic organizations, particularly those that focus on childhood cancer, support for military families in Iowa and hunger relief.

Iowa Select Farms has long supported ISU research efforts by funding studies in animal nutrition, animal welfare and well-being and air quality. Company personnel have been guest speakers in ISU swine production courses. A gift by Jeff Hansen in 2006 established an endowed position in ISU’s Department of Animal Science to support and coach student livestock judging teams, which have been a department tradition for more than a century.
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