News

Gamma Sigma Delta announces 2026 initiates, presents alum awards

Gamma Sigma Delta, the Iowa Beta Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture, held its annual award ceremony April 16 in Curtiss Hall’s Dolezal Auditorium. Iowa State University students, faculty and alums were presented awards, and new members were inducted into the organization.

Honoring the spring 2026 CALS Council awardees

Each semester, seniors who have gone above and beyond while attending Iowa State University can be nominated to receive one of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council senior awards. Lindsey Hospodarksy, agricultural communication student, was awarded the Leadership and Innovation Award.  

Unique certification prepares future agriculture teachers

Darla Romberger, a graduate student in agricultural education, is leading teacher certification students through the CASE AgXplore certification training. After completing the training, future ag teachers will have the skills and knowledge to implement a curriculum based on the AgX concepts.

Long-time horticulture educator, advisor Barb Clawson named Golden Owl awardee

Coincidentally wearing a gray FFA quarter-zip, Barb Clawson was dressed appropriately for a surprise announcement that she is one of this year’s Golden Owl awardees.

Smalley to serve as next department chair for agricultural education and studies

Inspired by his high school agriculture teachers and his experiences as a former 4-H and FFA member, Scott Smalley is taking his agricultural education career to the next level.

Seven faculty members join 2026 IEFF cohort

Teaching about world food issues, forging partnerships between environmental health and safety and discovering the secrets of the marshes are among the projects selected for the 2026 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows program. Dr. Awoke Dollisso, AGEDS teaching professor, is a member of the 2026 IEFF cohort.

Science with Practice: ‘A doorway into the world of scientific curiosity’

Twenty years ago, at a time when student debt was at an all-time high and the university faced stiff state and federal funding cuts, the Science with Practice program launched to provide experiential learning opportunities for students and pay them for their work. Since then, nearly 800 CALS students have enrolled in the program and course (AGEDS 3120).

Bloom shares successes, life lessons with future ag teachers

Melanie Bloom’s superpower as an agriculture teacher is knowing what questions to ask and when to ask them. She encourages aspiring ag teachers to do the same and identify great teachers to learn from.

CALS student club spotlight: Farm Operations Club

Learn about the Farm Operations Club and see if it's a good fit for you!

2025 awards to be presented to CALS alums, friends

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Iowa State University Alumni Association will present awards to several CALS alums and friends at the 94th annual Honors & Awards Ceremony on Oct. 24. Lynn Henderson ('74 agricultural journalism) was awarded with the Floyd Andre Award.

CALS student club spotlight: Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club

Learn about the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club and see if it's a good fit for you!

Alum’s Living to Serve project continues to impact hundreds

It all started with a social media post asking community members to donate backpacks, pencils and other school supplies. In the six years since, approximately $20,000 has been raised and around 400 families have been impacted.

New faces, same level of support in CALS Career Services office

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Services office is staffed and ready to support students as they pursue internship and job opportunities and prepare to attend the CALS Career Day this fall.

Retallick named next associate dean for personnel and finance, Iles to step in as interim AGEDS chair

With a passion for leading others and thinking strategically about where the college and its departments and programs should go, Mike Retallick has been selected to serve as the next associate dean for personnel and finance for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, effective July 1.

Five seniors to be honored during spring convocation

Each semester, seniors who have gone above and beyond while attending Iowa State University can be nominated to receive one of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council senior awards. This semester, five seniors will be honored at the May 16 CALS Convocation. Maddi Klemme, agricultural communication and international agriculture student, was awarded the Outstanding Senior Award.  

Q&A with Jennifer Holliday, spring 2025 student marshal

Jennifer Holliday, a graduating senior in agricultural studies, journalism and mass communication and international agriculture, will represent CALS as the student marshal at the university's spring 2025 Commencement ceremony.

Gamma Sigma Delta presents 2025 awards, announces new initiates

Gamma Sigma Delta held its annual award ceremony on April 23 in Curtiss Hall. Iowa State students, faculty and alums were presented awards, and new members were inducted into the organization.

Stutsman to present Hertz Lecture at Iowa State April 15

Mark Stutsman ('85 farm operations) will share the major lessons learned from his family's 91-year-old agriculture business and how these experiences can help navigate the evolving ag industry during the 2025 Carl and Marjory Hertz Lecture on Emerging Issues in Agriculture on April 15.

Three CALS students named Wallace E. Barron award recipients

Three College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students are recipients of the 2025 Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior award. Jennifer Holliday, senior in agricultural studies, journalism and mass communication and international agriculture and Mackenzy Ruff, senior in animal science and agricultural studies were selected.