Agri News, MN
06-20-07
ISU involved in nationwide air quality study
AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University researchers are participating in the firstever, nationwide study to measure gases and compounds emitted from livestock
facilities, including poultry, dairy and swine operations.
The 30-month, $14.6 million study will measure levels of hydrogen sulfide,
particulate matter, ammonia, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds and nonmethane hydrocarbons released from livestock facilities.
Air quality measurements will soon begin at most locations around the country
and by fall will be under way at 14 monitoring sites in nine states.
The ISU portion of the project involves monitoring a swine operation, said Jacek
Koziel, with ISU.
"We have one of four sites with swine, with the others in North Carolina, Indiana
and Oklahoma,'' he said. "Our gestation and farrowing site in central Iowa
consists of three mechanically-ventilated barns with deep-pit manure storage.''
ISU renames its College of Agriculture
AMES, Iowa -- The College of Agriculture is now Iowa State University's College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The Board of Regents OK'd the name change at its meeting last week.
"Iowa State University has a 150-year tradition of excellence in agriculture. The
new name for the college is the right direction to take as we enter a bold new
chapter for the many areas touched by agriculture and the life sciences in Iowa,"
said Wendy Wintersteen, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The new name, Wintersteen said, "more accurately describes both the long-held
and the modern emphasis and breadth of the college and will help us
communicate our contemporary programs and directions."
Franklin County Fair seeking volunteers
NEW HAMPTON, Iowa -- The Franklin County Extension Office is looking for
volunteers to help with various upcoming 4-H fair activities and programs.
Volunteering presents an opportunity for older 4-H'ers to experience citizenship
at the county level.
Volunteers are needed for the fashion revue/clothing selection; entry day; home
economics judging; SMA judging; photography judging; and to arrange displays
and Clover Kids exhibits.
To volunteer or get more information, call the Extension office at (641) 456-4811.
4-H Communications Day in Spencer June 20
SPENCER, Iowa -- The Clay County 4-H Communications Day is scheduled
June 20 at 10 a.m. in the 4-H Auditorium on the Clay County fairgrounds in
Spencer.
4-H educational presentations, extemporaneous speaking, Share the Fun act
and working exhibits will be featured. Consumer judging, clothing
selection/fashion revue judging and a style show are also planned.
The event is free. For more information, contact the Extension office at (712)
262-2264.
Field day set June 27 near Calumet
LE MARS, Iowa -- An update of summer weather indicators for Iowa is among
topics for the Northwest Iowa Experimental Farm Day June 27 at the farm near
Calumet.
Iowa State University Extension specialists will team up with other ISU
researchers in presentations during the farm tour to focus on crop research.
Field day activities get under way with coffee at 9 a.m. with the day's program
beginning at 9:30 a.m. The program will conclude at noon, and a lunch will be
available at the site for about $6.
Hewitt Creek watershed field day is June 27
DYERSVILLE, Iowa -- Hewitt Creek watershed producers will host a field day at
1 p.m. June 27 at the John Rubly pasture on Pape Road northeast of Dyersville.
From Dyersville, the field day site is about 2 miles north on Highway 136 and
then 2 miles east on Floyd Road then Pape Road. The field day will last about 2
hours and the public is invited.
A first-year field day was held at the same site two years ago and the June 27
event will provide updates on activities of Hewitt Creek watershed council and
cooperators as they work towards a goal of improving water quality.
Iowa CCI Convention set in Des Moines
DES MOINES -- Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement will hold a workshop
to address the problem of Iowa's polluted rivers at its annual convention July 14
at the Hotel Fort Des Moines.
The convention will include other workshops on topics that include voting
integrity, the presidential caucuses, farm policy, healthcare, and economic
development programs. The Saturday workshops cost $30 for a family or $25 for
an individual before July 2 and $40 for a family or $35 for an individual after July
2. To sign up for the convention, call Iowa CCI at (515) 255-0800.