New U of I degree melds agriculture and data tech

URBANA, Ill. — Technology and data are increasingly integral to agriculture, and the University of Illinois’ Department of Computer Science and College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) have introduced a first-of-its-kind major built on that relationship.

Starting in the fall of 2018, students will be able to enroll in the new CS + Crop Sciences undergraduate program at the university, one of a growing number of CS + X degrees at U of I. According to German Bollero, professor of biometry and head of the Department of Crop Sciences in the College of ACES, agriculture’s growing reliance on technology is producing vast amounts of data – from molecular genetics, the study of weather and the climate, GIS-based data gathering and the many applications of drones.

“The generation of huge data sets has expanded the demand for people with the skills to integrate computer science and agriculture,” Bollero said.

The new degree is expected to be in high demand among students, and has the potential for high impact, said Lenny Pitt, associate head of the Department of Computer Science and its director of Undergraduate Programs.

“When we talk about this partnership, it has an opportunity to really impact the world, in terms of food production, high-tech farming techniques, the environment and costs and efficiency,” he said.

Ag tech companies are taking notice of the new program. “Syngenta located its first Digital Innovation Lab at the Research Park to gain better access to a wealth of student talent and a world-ranked research university. This decision is continually solidified through news of programs such as CS + Crop Science. I'm excited to interact with a new batch of students who seek to bring engineering skills to the burgeoning field of agriculture,” said Brandon Dohman, innovation lead for the Syngenta Digital Innovation Lab at the U of I Research Park.

CS + Crop Sciences plans to begin with 5-10 students next fall before eventually enrolling 60-80 students.

Merck announces increase for veterinary scholarships

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Merck Animal Health (MAH) has announced an increase of $115,000 in funding for its Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. The program will provide $300,000 in scholarships to outstanding second- and third-year veterinary students in the 2017-18 academic year.

This increased funding will support an additional 22 scholarships for students focusing on companion animals in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

The MAH Veterinary Student Scholarship was established in 2013 in partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). Scholarship recipients are selected annually based on academic excellence, financial need, leadership and area of interest within the profession. MAH provided $185,000 to the scholarship program in the 2016-17 academic year.

“These students are our future visionaries and will become the leaders of the veterinary profession,” said Norman Stewart, DVM, livestock technical services manager for MAH. “Through this program, we are reinforcing our longstanding commitment to education, personal development and the science of healthier animals. It also allows us to help support the cost of veterinary education, as well as recognize and celebrate the next generation of leaders.”

The AVMF, the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Assoc., has supported the education and training of veterinary students for more than five decades.

The application process for 2017-18 scholarships is open through Dec. 31. Completed forms must be submitted by midnight then and scholarship recipients will be notified in March 2018. All veterinary students in the classes of 2018-19 are encouraged to apply. Visit www.avmf.org for application forms and more information.

Alltech extends deadline for Young Scientist competition

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Alltech Young Scientist (AYS) program is considered the world’s most prestigious agriscience competition for university students. Rising agri-scientists now have until Dec. 31 to register for the 2018 competition.

Undergraduate and graduate applicants will compete first within their home regions of North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific or Europe/Africa. Regional finalists will be invited to attend an all-expense-paid Alltech Young Scientist Discovery Week May 17-23, 2018, in Lexington, where they will compete in the global contest.

Global winners will be announced during ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference on May 23. The prizes include a fully funded Ph.D. position and $5,000 for the global undergraduate winner and a fully funded postdoctoral position and $10,000 for the global graduate winner.

“Lifelong learning is a core value within Alltech, and we are proud to invest in young, bright minds through our Alltech Young Scientist program,” said Dr. Aoife Lyons, director of educational initiatives and engagement. “It provides a global stage for students to present their research and have the opportunity to further their education and join the Alltech team.”

Students must be nominated by a professor in order to participate and may submit scientific papers on topics such as animal health and nutrition, crop science, agriculture analytical methods, food chain safety and traceability, human health and nutrition and other agriscience-related sectors. Paper submissions may be completed online through Dec. 31, and regional winners will be announced in March 2018.

For more information and to register for the Alltech Young Scientist program, visit http://education.alltech.com/alltech-young-scientist

HU’s Haupert Ag Institute receives AFA Growth Initiative

HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University’s Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies has been selected as one of six schools in the U.S. for Agriculture Future of America’s (AFA) University Growth Initiative.

Along with HU, the 2017 class also includes Tennessee State University, University of Maryland-College Park, Murray State University, University of Tennessee at Martin and Texas A&M University. As a University Growth Initiative school, each received funding to send three students and a member of the faculty or administration to the 2017 AFA Leaders Conference in Kansas City.

“We are thrilled with this opportunity to connect our students with the AFA, which is one of the premier organizations in the arena of leadership development of agriculture students at the collegiate level,” said Dr. Raymond Porter, director of the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies.

Porter traveled not only with the three students covered by the University Growth Initiative, but also two additional HU students who applied and were accepted to go to this conference. Agriculture students attending the conference for the first time were Rebekah Peterson (Monticello, Ill.), Bailey Rothrock (Monticello, Ind.), Karley Hockemeyer (Decatur, Ind.), Makayla Mobley (North Manchester) and Megan Schroeder (Albion).

In addition, Madison Riley (Goshen) attended the Leaders Conference for a second time as HU’s AFA Ambassador and as a recipient of an AFA Leader Fellowship.

USPOULTRY, PSA Foundation announce student career fair

TUCKER, Ga. — The U.S. Poultry Harold E. Ford Foundation and the Poultry Science Assoc. (PSA) Foundation are pleased to announce the jointly sponsored inaugural M.S. & Ph.D. Student Career Fair, which will be held during the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), scheduled for Jan. 30-Feb., 1, 2018, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

The Career Fair will be held Jan. 29, in conjunction with the International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF). This unique program is designed to better serve U.S. Poultry & Egg Assoc. member companies and allied suppliers, particularly involving, but not limited to, technology-driven companies such as those in genetics, health, pharmaceutical and nutrition.

“Utilizing the strengths and resources of PSA and the USPOULTRY Foundation, this new program will target post-doctoral and Ph.D. students,” said Jerry Moye, USPOULTRY Foundation incoming chair, who also serves on the PSA Foundation Board. “This is a great service our two organizations can provide to the poultry and allied industry, particularly those with needs in genetics, health, pharmaceutical and nutrition fields.

“Further, this opportunity is provided in one place at one time in conjunction with the IPSF, conveniently benefiting these exceptional students and industry companies seeking talented employees to provide for their next generation of scientific leadership.”

Microbiologist sought for algae cultivation startup

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — The National Algae Assoc. announces that a Los Angeles algae startup focusing on spirulina cultivation is looking to expand operations to a full-scale production facility in the Palmdale/Antelope Valley region of California.

Further, its aim is to diversify and expand operation into cultivation of other algal species. It is seeking applicants for the position of microbiologist. An ideal candidate is someone who embraces change, strives for continuous improvement, understands the importance of commitment and is passionate about expanding their knowledge base.

The startup is looking for someone who can transition from a part-time employee to a full-time team member over the course of the next year. If interested, candidates are asked to email their résumés to barry@nationalalgaeassociation.com

Agricultural education faculty earn national recognition

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URBANA, Ill. — Two agricultural education faculty at the University of Illinois – Drs. Kari Keating and Erica Thieman – recently earned national recognition for outstanding achievements in teaching and research.

Thieman, an assistant professor in the Agricultural Education Program in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, was honored with the Outstanding Early Career Member award from the North Central American Assoc. for Agricultural Education (AAAE). Recipients of this award have demonstrated excellence in teaching, significant contributions in research, scholarly writing pertaining to agricultural education and service in professional organizations at the community, state, and national levels.

The predominant focus of Thieman’s research is determining how stress impacts teacher proficiency and retention. She received the award during the North Central AAAE annual conference in September.

Keating, a teaching assistant professor in the program, was recognized as one of the best educators in the nation, as a recipient of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Educator Award. NACTA is a professional society dedicated to scholarship in teaching and learning in agricultural disciplines.

As someone who focuses on the people-development aspect of agriculture, Keating prepares the next generation of industry leaders and agriculture teachers in the agricultural leadership and science education program. Keating received the award during the NACTA annual conference in July.

SteelShad bass fishing scholarship available to college anglers

EAST DORSET, Vt. — The SteelShad Fishing Co. is proud to announce the 2018 SteelShad College Bass Fishing Scholarship Program. SteelShad wants to support the growth of college bass fishing and the individual anglers participating in the sport.

SteelShad will award three college students, whom bass fish competitively or avidly, individual scholarships of $1,000 each in May 2018. The SteelShad Selection Committee will look at academic achievements, college bass fishing achievements and social media posts and engagement. College bass fishing students may apply for the SteelShad Scholarships at https://steelshad.com/fishing-scholarship

Stephen Price, CEO of SteelShad, said, "We are so excited about the growth in the sport of College Bass Fishing and we want to support these students in a significant way. We plan to support each applicant for the SteelShad College Scholarship Program with SteelShad lures and we will award each winner a scholarship check for $1,000 in May of 2018.”

Alliance names 2017 College Aggies Online winners

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced the winners of the 2017 College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship competition, which prepares students to become lifelong advocates for agriculture.

Since CAO launched in 2009, nearly 6,000 students have participated. This year’s program kicked off in early September with about 300 students competing in the individual division, while 30 student organizations competed in the club division. The participants represented 43 states and 89 different universities.

In the individual competition, the winners were: First place, $2,500 scholarship, Erica Ballmer at Purdue University; Second place, $1,000 scholarship, Allison Burenheide of Oklahoma State University; and Third place, $500 scholarship, Alex Jacks of Mississippi State University.

In the club competition, the winners were: First place, $2,500 scholarship, Agriculture Club of Western Illinois University; Second place, $1,000 scholarship, Agriculture Advocacy Class of Northwest Missouri State University; and Third place, $500 scholarship, Les Voyageurs, Louisiana State University.

The top three individual winners along with a representative from each winning club will receive an expenses-paid trip to the Alliance’s 2018 Stakeholders Summit set for May 3-4 in Arlington.

The 2017 competitors shared more than 3,000 posts about agriculture on Instagram and Twitter, which earned more than 4.4 million impressions, and nearly 400 posts were shared on Facebook. More than 16,000 students and faculty members attended the numerous farm tours, guest speaker presentations, booths and other events on college campuses.

In addition to recognizing the winners, the Alliance is spotlighting other individuals and clubs who successfully finished the program with the CAO Completion Emblem, which demonstrates their commitment to advocating for agriculture. Individuals who earned the CAO Completion Emblem were:

•Keely Egelhoff, Western Illinois University

•Madeline McGarry, Iowa State University

•Megan Nelson, North Dakota State University

•Jessica Miller, Oklahoma State University

•Markie Hageman, Fort Hays State University

•Ellen Schutt, University of Wisconsin-Madison

•Callie Rathjen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

•Lindsey O'Hara, Western Illinois University

•Ashley Huntsberger, University of Nevada, Reno

•Daiton Tietz, Iowa State University

•Madison Martin, University of Tennessee-Knoxville

•Rebekka Brown, University of Florida

•Emily Solis, University of Maryland-College Park

 Clubs that earned the CAO Completion Emblem were:

•Ag Ambassadors, Eastern Oklahoma State University

•Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, Tuskegee University

The nine-week program is filled with assignments for individuals such as blog posts, infographics and photo contests, while club members receive challenges ranging from hosting farm tours and school visits to guest speakers, food drives and many more. Each assignment and challenge helps the students to boost their confidence when communicating with their peers about agriculture issues.

The Alliance also awarded mini scholarships of $100 throughout the competition to individuals selected by industry mentors for doing the best on the weekly assignments. In the club competition, a mini scholarship of $250 was awarded to the groups who hosted the best events for each challenge.

For more information on College Aggies Online, visit www.animalagalliance.org/connect/#collegeaggies

Iowa wins gold at 2017 collegiate inventors competition

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NORTH CANTON, Ohio — A glimpse into the future of American innovation and emerging technological trends from the nation’s brightest young inventors were recognized and honored at the 2017 Collegiate Inventors Competition, an annual contest for college and university students and their faculty advisors.

“For students interested in STEM disciplines, innovation and entrepreneurship, a strong understanding of the intellectual property system is critical for success,” said Joseph Matal, performing the function and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Finalist teams (six undergraduate and six graduate), consisting of 29 students from 12 colleges and universities across the United States, received an all-expenses-paid trip to the final round of the competition in Alexandria, Va. The teams presented their inventions to an esteemed panel of final-round judges composed of the most influential inventors and innovation experts in the nation, National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees and USPTO experts.

Established in 1990, the Collegiate Inventors Competition is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. It is sponsored by the USPTO, Arrow Electronics, Bridgestone Americas and Skild.

The undergraduate Gold winner was SwineTech, from the University of Iowa. Team members Matthew Rooda and Abraham Espinoza were awarded $10,000 for their invention SmartGuard, which prevents piglet-crushing deaths by their mothers by monitoring the pitch, loudness and duration of squeals and determining whether a piglet is in distress or just squealing as piglets normally do.

When a piglet is in distress, the device sends a vibration to a wearable patch on the mother, prompting her to stand and free her piglet. The team’s advisor is Thomas Hornbeck. The SwineTech team was also the winner of the Arrow Innovation Prize, chosen by a panel of judges from Arrow Electronics. This exclusive prize advanced the team to the final round of judging – all expenses paid – at the competition, and it included a private networking opportunity with a group of innovators from Arrow, a Fortune 118 global technology-solutions provider.

Introduced in 1990, the competition has awarded more than $1 million to students for their innovative work and scientific achievement through the help of its sponsors. For more information, visit www.invent.org/challenge

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA’S Abraham Espinoza and Matthew Rooda onstage at the Collegiate Inventors Competition.

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USPOULTRY allocates $282,500 in student recruiting grants

TUCKER, Ga. — The USPOULTRY Foundation awarded student recruiting grants totaling more than $282,500 to six U.S. universities with Poultry Science departments and 29 other institutions with industry-related programs.

The Foundation provides annual recruiting and retention funds to colleges and universities to attract students to their poultry programs. The grants were made possible in part by gifts to the USPOULTRY Foundation from companies, individuals and families, in addition to funds earned over the years at the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo.

Among the 29 institutions with industry-related programs receiving recruiting and retention grants under the Foundation’s Industry Education Recruitment Funding Program are the following regional schools, listed with their grant amount and the sponsor of the grant:

•Iowa State University, $2,100, West Liberty Foods

•Murray State University, Kentucky, $7,000, Shepard Exposition Services

•Ohio State University, $4,620, Cooper Family Foundation

•Purdue University, Indiana, $6,865, Midwest Poultry Services

•University of Tennessee at Martin, $1,800, Hubbard Farms Charitable Foundation

•Tennessee Technological University, $7,100, Hubbard Farms Charitable Foundation

U.S. Poultry & Egg Assoc. established the USPOULTRY Foundation in 1994 to provide student recruiting funds to universities with poultry science departments. In 2004, the Poultry Science Education Funding Program, now named the Industry Education Recruitment Funding Program, was added to the Foundation’s umbrella so other colleges and universities that offer industry-related studies are eligible to apply for recruiting grants.

Lyles fills new position for Cooperative Extension/CABNR

RENO, Nev. — Ivory W. Lyles is the new director of University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and associate dean for engagement in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources. He started in this new position Nov. 1.

Lyles comes to the university from Alcorn State University in Mississippi, where he was a professor in the Department of Agriculture and dean and director of Land-Grant Programs. Prior to that, he was director of Cooperative Extension Service and associate vice president of agriculture at the University of Arkansas – Little Rock for about nine years.

As CABNR’s associate dean for engagement, he is charged with leveraging the full range of expertise within the university and all Nevada System of Higher Education institutions to address the needs and challenges of citizens throughout Nevada. As director of Cooperative Extension, he has full signatory authority for the extension budget.

Lyles received his doctorate in agricultural education, community and rural development in 1990 from The Ohio State University, his master’s in extension education and education leadership in 1984 from Mississippi State University and his bachelor’s in agricultural economics in 1980 from Alcorn.

Prior to his extension leadership positions at Alcorn and the U of A, Lyles held Cooperative Extension positions at the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, OSU and Mississippi State.

FDA announces MUMS grant application due Jan. 12

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an open period for applications for grants to support the development of new animal drugs intended for minor species or minor uses (MUMS) in major species (major species are horses, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, turkeys and chickens).

This is Funding Opportunity Announcement #RFA-FD-15-004. Applications must be submitted electronically by Jan. 12, 2018, through www.grants.gov

The grant program was established by the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2004, and funding was authorized to start after finalization of regulations to implement the Designation provisions of Section 573 of the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act.

Subject to the availability of funds, grants will be available for up to $100,000 per year for up to two years for routine studies; and up to $150,000 per year for up to two years for studies of unusual complexity, duration or size. A third year of funding may be available for long-term toxicology studies. The complete Request for Applications is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-FD-15-004.html

UT, partners to empower youth for healthier communities

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Cooperative Extension partners in Tennessee – University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University – have been selected as among five land-grant universities (LGUs) to partner with National 4-H Council (Council) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the nation’s largest health philanthropy, to improve health in local communities over the next two years.

The Tennessee extension partners are among the many LGUs that will work over the next 10 years to build a culture of health in 1,000 communities across the nation. To reach this goal, the Council will use the $4.6 million grant awarded by RWJF to convene the unparalleled assets of the national Cooperative Extension System (CES) to leverage 4-H’s proven youth leadership model.

In Tennessee, youth will work alongside community members, local public health organizations, businesses, government entities and nonprofit agencies in Meigs, Coffee and Pickett counties to address top public health priorities, such as individual and community well-being, prevention and treatment of chronic disease and reductions in health care costs.

The 10-year partnership will begin with identifying innovator communities and communities in need, where the partners will implement locally-responsive strategies. Each LGU is charged with working in a minimum of three communities to develop an action plan and connect with at least 150 volunteers to mentor youth leaders to build local capacity and ensure successful implementation of the action plan.

“Meigs, Coffee and Pickett counties were chosen for the pilot phase from a competitive community proposal process. These three communities are poised to build a local culture of health because of their community capacity of partnerships and engagement,” said Laura Stephenson, assistant dean of UT extension.

“The grant, which in Tennessee amounts to $89,000, will fund work in these counties spearheaded by the county extension 4-H and family and consumer sciences agents who work locally to provide youth development and adult education services.”

The partnership will focus on three key elements to accomplish transformational change: designing a sustainable network structure to promote health and well-being in communities across the nation; creating and disseminating tools for healthier communities; and launching a training curriculum for local community advocates.

MFB posthumously honors Schweikhardt with service award

LANSING, Mich. — Dr. David Schweikhardt, former professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE) at Michigan State University, was posthumously honored as recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award at the 98th Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Annual Meeting.

In addition to the award, the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture is donating $5,000 to a scholarship fund in Schweikhardt’s name.

He specialized in agricultural policy, trade policy and law during his tenure at MSU. His research and extension work focused on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and all U.S. farm bills since 1990.

Following completion of his law degree from MSU, Schweikhardt immersed himself in the discussion of wind farm lease agreements and provided valuable insights to land owners trying to evaluate various options before entering into long-term obligations. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, he was instrumental in providing farmers with information on the potential impacts to agriculture and their farms.

He also provided commentary and analysis on politics and elections at the state and federal levels.

“A true friend of Michigan agriculture, it’s his wit, intellect, friendship and commitment to Michigan Agriculture we sorely miss,” said MFB President Carl Bednarski. “Dave was always willing to share his insights with audiences both large and small. He was eager to meet with farmers to not only share his latest presentation, but just as important, to hear from them about their thoughts and ideas and to engage in discussions about possible policy options and potential outcomes.”

Over the past 20 years, much of Schweikhardt’s work was supported by MFB’s Elton R. Smith Endowment for Food and Agriculture Policy. The endowment was created in the early 1990s to honor the memory of MFB past president, Elton R. Smith, for his commitment to leadership and his global vision of policy education and research.

“David was an indispensable, well-loved and greatly admired member of AFRE faculty since 1992,” said Dr. Titus O. Awokuse, department chair. “He was a true servant-leader over the years. He gave selflessly of his skills and time, and served in various capacities to support and promote our department and university.”