Issue 32 - May 20, 2009 |
CFANS People in the News
Winners of this year's CFANS Distinguished Faculty and Staff include:
Teaching:
  Non-tenured: Dennis Becker, left, Department of Forest Resources; Tenured: Jonathan Chaplin, right, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering; Graduate:  Michael Sadowsky, left, Department ofSoil, Water and Climate.
Civil Service/ Bargaining Unit:
Scientific/Technical: Pete Nelson, left, Department of Animal Science; Administrative: Deb Hansen, right, CFANS Office of Information Technology (awarded posthumously)
Professional and Academic Staff:
  Research: Les Everett, left, Water Resources Center;
Other Professional: Geri Skogen, right, Department of Food Science and Nutrition.
Diversity & Inclusion:
  Staff: Tim Kenny, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum;
Faculty: Craig Hassel, right, Department of Food Science and Nutrition.
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 Dave Ragsdale, professor in the Department of Entomology, has been named interim head of the department.
Heather Taterka, a recent graduate with a master's in food science, is the recipient of the U of M Graduate School’s Fulbright Grant Exchange Program with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway.
 Chery Smith, professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, has earned a Fulbright scholarship to Nepal. Her project is titled "Food Access and Weight Iimplications for Nepalese Women in a Transitioning Nepal."
CFANS Diversity Programs Office is the recipient of the 2009 "Breaking the Silence" award from the university's Gay, Lesbian, Transgender Ally Programs Office.
CFANS' communications team won two Maroon awards in the annual UM Communicators Forum Maroon and Gold competition, for long-form feature writing and print design.
 Peter Graham, professor in the Department of Soil, Water and Climate, died unexpectedly on May 10, following shoulder surgery.
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In This Issue
- From Allen Levine: How are we doing?
- Bell Museum funding vetoed again
- Siehl Prizes awarded for excellence in ag
- Polasky named to prestigious honor society
- Cloquet celebration highlights 100 years of forestry
- Waterosity exhibit begins June 6 at Arboretum
- CFANS is on Twitter and Facebook
- Events
Three years in, how are we doing?
 As CFANS approaches its three-year anniversary, how are we doing?
I’ve been asked that a lot lately, mostly in the context of the economy and budget cuts at the University of Minnesota. The answer is that we’re doing fine and will continue to do so, even though times are tough economically.
Read more
Since the college merger in 2006, we have successfully implemented most of the the academic and administrative recommendations suggested by the strategic positioning task force. Now we’re moving forward with strategic plans that will help energize our research, outreach and teaching missions in the years ahead. The college is sharpening its focus on our four priority areas: food, health and ag systems; biodiversity; the bioeconomy; and global climate and environmental change. We have accomplished a lot in three short years and I look forward to even more exciting developments.
But of course, we can’t ignore economic realities. University-wide, state funding is being cut about 7 percent; through the unallotment process that percentage could rise to 13 percent. Some of the cuts are being offset through federal stimulus funding, but that money is only for two years, while the state funding cuts are permanent. We face some serious economic challenges and we will continue to seek cost savings and efficiencies that won’t diminish the college’s core mission.
The good news, however, is that CFANS students should be protected even if tuition rises because of new scholarship programs, federal tax credits and stimulus-package funding. We’re also eligible for significant research funding through various public- and private-sector grant programs; we are among the top units at the University of Minnesota in terms of research funding. And our donors have generously contributed to the fellowships and scholarships that help students cover the cost of their education.
So how are we doing? I’d be interested to hear what you think. Drop me a line at solutions@umn.edu. )
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Bell Museum funding vetoed for a second time
While the Bell Museum's new building project received support in both Minnesota's House of Representatives and Senate, the University of Minnesota's request for bonding was vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. University of Minnesota employees and the museum staff are deeply grateful for the support of Minnesotans who called, wrote or met with their legislators in support of the museum's request. In the meantime, the museum staff looks forward to a summer lineup of exhibits and programs showcasing the lives of wolves and the beauty of America's national parks.
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Siehl Prizes for Excellence in Agriculture awarded
 The 2009 Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture were honored Thursday, May 14, at a reception on the St. Paul campus.
Recipients of the annual prize are chosen for three categories: knowledge (teaching, research and outreach); production agriculture and agribusiness. This year’s winners are:
- A. Forrest Troyer (agribusiness): As one of the world's most effective corn breeders, Troyer developed or co-developed 40 commercial corn hybrids for major agribusinesses that sold more than 60 million bags of seed corn--enough to plant all the corn in North America for two years.
- William F. Hueg (knowledge): As director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station and a University of Minnesota administrator, he developed an interdisciplinary approach in agricultural research that led to significant advances in addressing state, national global challenges in agriculture.
- Bob Christensen (production agriculture): Since he co-founded Christensen Farms in 1974 with his brother and only a handful of hogs, the family business has grown exponentially. Today, it employs 1,200 people, contracts with more than 450 family farmers, and produces enough pork each year to feed 14 million people.
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Polasky named to prestigious honor society
 Stephen Polasky, professor in the Department of Applied Economics, has been chosen as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Fellows are leaders in the sciences, humanities and arts, business, public affairs and the nonprofit sector. The group is one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies; this year's 212 inductees includes Nobel laureates and recipients of the Pulitzer and Pritzker prizes, MacArthur Fellowships, Academy, Grammy, and Tony awards, and the National Medal of Arts.
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Cloquet center highlights 100 years of forestry
The Cloquet Forestry Center will celebrate 100 years of education, research, and outreach from July 20-25. Established in 1909, the Center is the longest continuously operating forestry field station of its kind in the United States. The celebration includes open houses, research demonstrations, workshops and an alumni reunion barbecue.
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Waterosity exhibit begins June 6 at Arboretum
 Visitors to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum this summer can take part in "Waterosity," a series of arts and science exhibits and events that run from June 6 through Oct. 4. "Waterosity" includes winners of an artistic competition as well as kid-friendly exhibits, consumer information about conserving water and performances by Heart of the Beast puppet theater.
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CFANS is on Twitter and Facebook
Want to catch up with happenings at CFANS more often? Now you can follow college research news and events on Twitter. CFANS Alumni & Friends also is on Facebook, with updates and details on alumni/friends gatherings.
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Here are a few of the upcoming events of interest to the College of
Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences community. Visit www.cfans.umn.edu to
see more events.
Food Science and Nutrition Expo
Thursday, June 4, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center
Faculty from the Department of Food Science and Nutrition will host a display highlighting their research, teaching, and outreach work. Tthe Expo also will feature hors d’oeuvres of University of Minnesota cheeses and meats as well as tastings of wine made from U of M grapes. Registration for the event is $5; please register by May 28.
BioBlitz
Friday and Saturday, June 12-13, 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Crosby Farm Regional
Park, St. Paul
Part contest, part festival, part scientific survey—people of all ages are invited to join real scientists in a race to count as many species of plants and animals as possible in a 24-hour period. This year’s “blitz” will occur in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The base camp at Crosby Farm Regional Park in St. Paul will feature a floating laboratory—a real working riverboat provided by Padelford Riverboat Company—and legions of national park rangers available for guided tours throughout the event. For a complete list of activities go to www.bellmuseum.org/bioblitz.
St. Paul Campus reunion
Thursday, June 25
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen
Alumni and friends from the CFANS as well as the colleges of design and Education and Human Development, as well as their predecessor schools, are invited to explore the gardens and summer exhibition on foot or by tram, check out the Oswald Visitor Center, and reconnect with university friends. The class of 1959 will also be recognized. The reunion will be at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen; cost is $30 or $25 for U of M Alumni Association members. Pre-registration is requested.
Organic Field Day
Thursday, July 9, 8 am. to 4 p.m.
Southwest Research and Outreach Center, Lamberton
Field tour stops will include: organic high tunnel; no-till roller/crimper research; soil pit comparing organic and conventionally managed soils; variety trials; forage research; weed control plots; and much more! Hear presentations on weed control, farm business management, and the university's organic research reports, as well as brief presentations by exhibitors.
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