Ag Report, K-State College of Agriculture, Spring 2010
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AgReportAgRAgRgRepoepep rtrt SpringSppririnr ng 20102010100 1 From the Dean and Director The position is a premier spot across Spring 2010 the land-grant system, and I will College of Agriculture do everything possible to attract an and the outstanding pool of candidates. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station My experience in agriculture is and Cooperative Extension Service extensive. I grew up in rural Michigan. Gary Pierzynski Although my family was not directly Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture involved in farming, I worked on and Interim Director of farms while attending Michigan K-State Research and Extension State University. Most of my work 785-532-6147; [email protected] experience was on a large certified seed farm; however, I also did chores on a Don Boggs dairy farm, baled lots of hay and straw, Associate Dean of Agriculture and even cared for horses. Academic Programs My graduate training was in Daryl Buchholz soil science, and I have worked on Associate Director of Extension many topics including soil fertility, and Applied Research water quality, soil remediation, and Ernie Minton environmental issues related to the Associate Director of Research livestock industry. and Technology Transfer As department head, I worked Sharon Thielen closely with various commodity To say that 2010 was off to Interim Assistant Dean of Agriculture groups, on- and off-campus faculty, an interesting start would be an Academic Programs state and federal agencies, K-State understatement. On the first working Christine Wilson Research and Extension staff, and day of the year, we learned that Fred Assistant Dean of Agriculture students. While I have a lot to learn, I Cholick had accepted the position Academic Programs feel well connected to the land-grant of president and CEO of the KSU Zelia Wiley mission and firmly believe that we Foundation. We wish Fred well in his Assistant Dean for Diversity Programs offer incredible value to all citizens. new role as he continues to provide The College of Agriculture and Steven Graham outstanding service and leadership in K-State Research and Extension Assistant to the Dean and Director support of K-State. face significant challenges, especially I assumed the role of interim dean budget issues. However, the need for The Ag Report is published twice a year (spring and director on March 1. I expect agriculture will continue to increase, and fall). It is written, edited, and designed by to hold this position for six to nine the Department of Communications. and we will do our best to meet the months, while a national search is needs of the state, nation, and world. Photos by Dan Donnert unless otherwise noted. conducted for a new dean and director. The contents of this issue highlight Send suggestions or comments to: I joined the K-State faculty nearly some of the great things we do. Gloria Holcombe 21 years ago as an assistant professor Department of Communications Since this is the first issue of Ag in the Department of Agronomy. Most 315 Umberger Hall Report solely in electronic format, Manhattan, KS 66506–3402 recently, I was agronomy department please use the “contact us” button on head and will return to that role when E-mail: [email protected] the magazine Web site www.ksre.ksu. my interim term is complete. edu/agreport to submit your comments, Mickey Ransom, professor and www.ag.ksu.edu class notes, and address changes. assistant head of teaching for agronomy, I appreciate your interest in our is the acting head of agronomy. programs and look forward to hearing www.ksre.ksu.edu As I transition into the new role, I from you. recognize the breadth and scope of the organization and its outstanding faculty, Kansas State University is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis staff, and students. It is a privilege and of race, sex, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or other non merit reasons, in admissions, educational programs or activities honor to lead such an organization, and employment (including employment of disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam Era) as required by applicable laws and regulations. and I appreciate the opportunity. I also Responsibility for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries Gary Pierzynski concerning Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education pledge my support in the recruitment Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Interim Dean and Director Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, process for the new dean and director. has been delegated to Clyde Howard, Director of Affirmative Action, Kansas State University, 214 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-0124, (Phone) 785-532-6220; (TTY) 785-532-4807. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Department of Communications, 315 Umberger Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-3402. 2 AgReport Spring 2010 On the cover Dave Krishock (right), K-State bakery instructor, shows Robert Floersch, co-owner of Ray’s Apple Market, how to score French bread. 2 News Briefs Photo by Bob Holcombe 4 25 years of Service to Cooperatives 6 Flour Power 8 A Strong K-State Tradition 10 Keeping in Touch with Family 16 Multiple Paths 20 Students Experience and Excel at Product Development 22 Student Accolades 26 Faculty Notes 28 Class Notes 32 Alumni Association 34 Foundation 35 Grain Science Centennial 8 4 1313 20 16 10 6 AgReport Spring 2010 1 News Briefs KABSU Has New Facility The first phase of the new KABSU (Kansas Artificial Breeding Service Unit) barn was completed in August 2009. The K-State facility offers four options for Kansas Forest Service bull semen collection and also has storage and shipping options. The new location – Reaches Century Mark 3171 Tuttle Creek Blvd. – is north of main campus, near the animal science In 1909, Gov. Walter R. Stubbs livestock units complex and allows direct access from Highway 24 (Tuttle Creek created a forestry division at Blvd.). The second phase of constructionis in progress. When completed, it will K-State. house 24 bulls. “We’re still understaffed and For more information, go to www.asi.ksu.edu/kabsu. underfunded, much as we were in 1909,” said State Forester Larry Biles. “Looking back, though, the Kansas Forest Service has plenty of reason to be proud. Professional forestry has had a profound impact in the state. It’s touched many thousands of peoples’ lives and improved both the livability and the sustainability of Kansas itself. “With our move to K-State, Need text professional forestry shifted from being governmental to being oriented toward science, education, and service,” Biles said. Today, the Kansas Forest Service offers regular workshops and field days, plus professional plans and technical help for landowners, rural firefighters, arborists, timber/nut growers and processors, city tree boards, wildlife promoters, teachers, and anyone with property next to a Kansas 4-H Photos on Display stream or river. Award-winning photographs by Kansas 4-H’ers – Jake Birkhard, Derby; Jacob Dietrich, Wamego; The service helps connect Glen Coffman, Quenemo; Sarah Karns, Holton; and Kayla Dowell, Manhattan – are on display in Kansans to surplus firefighting K-State President Kirk Schulz’s office. The 4-H’ers presented the photos to Schulz during National equipment and government cost- 4-H Week. Photos previously displayed at the Kansas State Fair also hang in the State 4-H Youth share programs. It grows thousands Development Office and offices of U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback; U.S. Reps. Jerry Moran, Dennis Moore, Todd Tiahrt, and Lynn Jenkins; and Gov. Mark Parkinson. of low-cost tree and shrub seedlings Kansas 4-H Foundation also uses photos by Kansas 4-H’ers in various printed materials – such for conservation plantings. as the 4-H calendar, 4-H Journal, and Foundation Fundamentals – and a 36-photo display at Rock Descriptions of such programs Springs 4-H Center. and lists of forestry-related resources are on the Web at www. kansasforests.org/. 2 AgReport Spring 2010 News Briefs Grains for Hope Expands Focus to Haiti Trenton’s older brother, Tyler (BS ’08 food science) also worked with the Grains for Hope project. Trevor Huppert, freshman in food science from Sabetha, was involved with the project in high school and now works at the extrusion lab, which is located in the Bioprocessing and Industrial Value-Added Program building north of Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The extrusion lab is part of the Department of Grain Science and Industry, and is supervised by Sajid Alavi, associate professor, with assistance from Eric Maichel, operations manager. Trenton Huber (left), a junior at is a nonprofit organization that has Sabetha High School (SHS), and sent several tons of food products his father Gordon Huber, owner to Mozambique. The organization of consulting firm XIM Group, are represents a partnership among SHS processing a rice-shaped product at the students and faculty, noted extrusion K-State extrusion lab. The corn- and and food science experts and companies, wheat-based product is fortified with grain companies, researchers at K-State vitamins and minerals and will be and the University of Nebraska- shipped to Haiti. Lincoln.Private donors also provide This an expansion of a project started support. eight years ago by Carol Spangler and K-State provides the time and students at SHS. Grains for Hope equipment to produce the products. PRIDE Turns 40 The Kansas PRIDE Program is adult partnerships,” Kahl said. “Children celebrating its 40th year of service. and teens who learn to give back to the Since 1970, K-State Research and community are more likely to do so later Extension and the Kansas Department in life.