Research for the Growing World

AprilARS 2010 and You www.ars.usda.gov

Greetings to all of you! After a blustery start, spring is finally here and the year is well under way. By now, you have received several issues of ARS & You, our monthly employee newsletter. ARS & You is for you and about you. It is also designed to convey the vast diversity of ongoing and progressive activities in ARS. It’s a tool to keep each of us in touch with one another.

I have enjoyed reading about your participation in various workshops, leadership and stakeholder meetings, and other activities—and I am sure your colleagues have as well. This year ARS has already hosted numerous national program workshops, topical meetings, dedication ceremonies, and other special events that have allowed us to connect with our many stake- holders who serve as our customers, partners, cooperators and supporters of our research. By seeking customer and stakeholder input, we are able to customize our research programs and priorities and transfer technology to fit the needs of those who want and need our infor- mation to solve agricultural problems and achieve beneficial public outcomes.

Examples of our problem-solving skills can be found in the “Did You Know” column, which is designed to inform you about unique and interesting ARS success stories and research outcomes. I look forward to future articles in this section showcasing our many scientific achievements—emphasizing research solutions that have moved from the laboratory to the outside world.

And of course, we couldn’t be the “problem-solving agency” without you. That is why I’m always happy to read about the many notable and prestigious awards and acknowledgements garnered by ARS scientists and staff. An organization is only as good as its people, and you make ARS great. I couldn’t be more proud of the people that make up this wonderful orga- nization.

Keep those submissions coming, and I look forward to reading about you in the future!

Edward B. Knipling, ARS Administrator

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Joseph Kozlovac, ARS Agency Biosafety Officer, Around ARS served as an instructor for the 3rd Annual 2010 Leadership Institute for Biosafety Professionals, April USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s 13–15, 2010, at Emory University, Atlanta, GA. The People’s Garden Initiative asks event was sponsored by the American Biological all USDA employees to consider Safety Association (ABSA), the Elizabeth R. Griffin establishing or supporting a garden Research Foundation, and the Emory University at their USDA location worldwide, Leadership Institute for Biosafety Professionals. or in their community nearby. The goals of this The Leadership Institute was developed based on effort are community involvement, collaboration, an increased need for leadership training among and sustainability. Potential types of involvement biosafety professionals and the recognition that are as varied as one’s imagination, from a vegetable biosafety professionals need to be leaders to be garden with produce contributed to charities in need, successful in integrating safety with science. a rain garden to mitigate runoff, or a native plants pollinator garden to show how biodiversity can Research Food Technologist Jose De J. Berrios, ARS benefit our environment. Remember to get involved. Western Regional Research Center, Processed Foods Consider participating in a People’s Garden effort. Research Unit in Albany, CA, facilitated a Strategic Already there are over 100 sites across the country Planning Workshop to discuss the role that pulse and even some at our overseas embassies. ARS legume crops will play in finding solutions, through locations in Texas, North Dakota, Illinois and research, to the critical health and sustainability Maryland have established very different gardens challenges facing the world. The workshop appropriate to their sites. For more details, see www. focused on developing a strategic plan for the U.S. usda.gov/peoplesgarden. To see a listing of current Pulse Industry to answer short- and long-term projects, or to enter a new garden, go to the USDA research needs in the areas of nutrition and health, eAuthentication system at: www.longport.usda.gov. functionality/end use, and sustainability. To fulfill the goals of the Pulse Health Initiative, the USA Research Nutritionist Lisa Dry Pea and Lentil Council and the U.S. Dry Bean Jahns, ARS Grand Forks Council have joined efforts to form the American Human Nutrition Research Pulse Association. The workshop was held on March Center, Grand Forks, 30–31, 2010, in Beltsville, MD. ND, is coordinating the upcoming 34th National On March 25, 2010, ARS Office of International Nutrient Databank Research Programs staff hosted a high-level Conference, July 12–14, delegation from Pakistan, following a Strategic 2010, in Grand Forks, ND. This year’s theme is Dialogue between USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack “Prairie to Plate: Exploring Food and Nutrient and Pakistan’s Secretary of Agriculture Muhammad Database Frontiers.” This conference provides Zia-ur-Rehman, which focused on U.S.-Pakistan ARS human nutrition experts the opportunity to cooperation in agriculture. The group met with ARS showcase their work, and to interact with data national program leaders and researchers to discuss users to guide and improve future research to more areas of mutual interest for future research in wheat closely align with stakeholder needs. Abstracts for production, livestock health and production, and poster submissions are being accepted until May 31. irrigation and water management. Conference information can be found at: http://www. nutrientdataconf.org.

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ARS and National Institute of historic women who work the lands. Ritchie was also Food and Agriculture (NIFA) verbally acknowledged at the reception by feature staff co-sponsored an Animal artist and scholar Cynthia Vagnetti for her work in Health Research Planning identifying historical women and photos. Workshop on March 23–24, 2010. The workshop was On March 18, 2010, Research Scientist Michael attended by 149 stakeholders— Haas, ARS Eastern Regional Research Center, including representatives Fats, Oils and Animal Coproducts Research Unit, from government agencies, Wyndmoor, PA, and Robert Fireovid, ARS universities, industry, commodity groups and National Program Leader for Bioenergy, Beltsville, veterinarian groups. Dr. Molly Jahn, Deputy Under MD, participated in the Second National Oil Heat Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Industry Conference and Policy Summit, held in (REE) and Dr. Roger Beachy, NIFA Director Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting was to and USDA Chief Scientist, gave introductory increase awareness within the oil heating industry of remarks. Plenary session talks on the importance the advantages and the technical issues related to of animal agriculture were presented by Dr. Mike incorporating biobased fuels, especially biodiesel, Apley, Professor, Production Medicine/Clinical into home heating fuels. This is an especially Pharmacology, Kansas State University and Dr. relevant topic in the northeastern part of the country Jim McKean, Iowa State University Extension where home heating systems using petroleum fuels Veterinarian. Industry leaders gave presentations on are common. research priorities of 10 different animal species— beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, Research Physiologists Murray and special species that included farmed exotic R. Bakst and Julie Long with ruminants, turkeys, broiler chickens and layer the Beltsville Agricultural chickens. Breakout sessions were held to discuss Research Center, Animal potential research priorities by animal species, and Biosciences and Biotechnology also to discuss alignment with REE priorities and Laboratory in Beltsville, funding sources (private and public). The results MD, conducted a workshop of this workshop will assist ARS and NIFA in titled, “Methods of Artificial developing their research programs for the next 3–5 Insemination Technology and years. Large white turkey. Fertility Evaluation in Poultry.” The workshop was held on March 16–17, 2010, at the On March 24–25, 2010, staff from the ARS National Midwest Poultry Federation in St. Paul, MN. Agricultural Library, Alternative Farming Systems (AFSIC) and Rural Information Centers attended the In an effort to combat citrus greening—one of the Women In Agriculture Meeting in Baltimore, MD, most devastating citrus diseases—national leaders and the Post-Conference, “Women and Working met at the ARS Office of National Programs in Lands,” held at USDA in Washington, DC. The Beltsville, MD, for the Citrus Strategic Research Post-Conference was hosted by USDA Deputy Planning Meeting held on March 16–17, 2010. Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and featured keynote Participants included ARS national program leaders speaker, First Lady of Agriculture Christie Vilsack. and researchers, California, Texas, and Florida Mrs. Vilsack provided information on her personal university researchers, USDA National Institute commitment to rural libraries and the role USDA of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) National Program has in developing avenues for women in agriculture. Leaders, USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Stephanie Ritchie of AFSIC was recognized in the Service Administrators, California and Florida State printed program as a key resource for recognizing Department of Agriculture agricultural leaders and

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scientists, private industry members and U.S. Citrus and Environmental Engineering, University of Mutual representatives. The program focused on Melbourne, sponsored French. There, he presented developing a coordinated, national research plan a seminar on remote sensing techniques to estimate leading to solutions for citrus greening. crop water use. French was also sponsored by the International Centre of Water for Food Security (IC The U.S. Global Climate Research Program is Water), Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga, to embarking on a new effort to look at human health develop collaborative links with ALARC for research impacts of climate change as a pilot effort focusing on remote sensing over irrigated agriculture. on relevant issues from a societal perspective. A new cross-cutting interagency Climate Change ARS National Agricultural Library (NAL), Animal and Human Health Group (CCHHG) was formed Welfare Information Center (AWIC) staff conducted to accomplish this effort, with members from a 1-½ day workshop held on March 17–18, 2010, the National Institute of in Beltsville, MD, titled, “Meeting the Information Environmental Health Science, Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act.” The the National Oceanic and workshop targeted individuals responsible for making Atmospheric Agency, the sure that biomedical research using animals regulated Smithsonian Institution, the by USDA comply with information requirements of Department of Homeland the Animal Welfare Act. The focus of the workshop Security, the Department was on the “alternatives concept,” which requires of Defense, the Office of investigators to document consideration of alternative Technology and Science procedures that reduce pain or distress to animals, Policy and the Department of and to avoid unnecessary duplication of previous Agriculture. The group’s first animal experiments. The workshop will be conducted Andrew French uses again on May 5–6, 2010, in Beltsville, MD, and is aerial remote sensing meeting was held on March data to estimate crop 10, 2010, with representation open for registration. water use. on behalf of ARS by the Office of National Programs, Animal Production and ARS Research Chemist George Piazza and Chemical Protection National Program Leaders. These efforts Engineer Rafael Garcia with the ARS Eastern relate to agricultural research due to the connection Regional Research Center’s Fats, Oils and Animal between agricultural processes and health, such and Coproducts Research Unit in Wyndmoor, as pesticide and fertilizer use, livestock effects on PA, were cited in a recent issue of Industrial plant distribution, and control of invasive species. Bioprocessing Alert for their innovative work on Agricultural workers are more susceptible to some renewable flocculants, a substitute for the synthetic of the effects of climate change, such as increases polymer polyacrylamide (PAM)—used in wastewater in heat stress and exposure to pathogen-transmitting treatment, and as an erosion control agent on irrigated insects. farms and (earthen) canals. The two scientists are seeking to find new uses for byproducts generated Physical Scientist Andrew French, ARS during meat processing, including using gelatin and U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center meat and bone meal (MBM) as an alternative to (ALARC) in Maricopa, AZ, visited Australia from PAM. February 1, 2010 to March 5, 2010, where he participated in the Australian Airborne Calibration/ In celebration of the Virginia Department of Validation Experiment (AACES)—a project Forestry’s 100th anniversary, NAL is providing them in the Murrumbidgee Catchment, New South with a variety of Smokey Bear materials that will Wales, to validate remote sensing of soil moisture. be exhibited at various libraries across the state of The Tewkesbury Bequest, Department of Civil Virginia. They include posters, original drawings,

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photographs, films, memorabilia, audio recordings, and Renewable Materials (CELL) Division Fellow and unique artist proofs such as “… Only You Can Award. This award is given to recognize CELL Prevent Forest Fires.” Some of NAL’s 19 original members whose dedication, leadership, and paintings created by Smokey Bear artist Rudolph enthusiastic service has kept the organization moving Wendelin may be displayed at the Virginia Fine Arts forward. Cardamone’s participation in ACS has led Museum. NAL houses one of the largest collections to over 10 ACS symposia, 8 ACS book chapters, and of the U.S. Forest Service Smokey Bear Collection, 1 ACS book edition. which documents the history of Smokey Bear, one of the most successful ad campaigns in history. D. Michael Glenn, Plant Physiologist and Laboratory Director of the ARS Appalachian Notable Awards Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV, was awarded Daniel Strickman, National Program Leader for the American Society for Veterinary and Medical Entomology, ARS Office Horticultural Science Outstanding Fruit Publication Award for of National Programs, Beltsville, MD, received the D. Michael Glenn John N. Belkin Award at the American Mosquito 2009. The publication, “Particle Control Association meeting on March 29, 2010, in Film Mechanisms of Action That Reduce the Lexington, KY. This award is given for meritorious Effect of Environmental Stress in ‘Empire’ Apple,” achievement in the field of mosquito systematics outlines how a reflective kaolin particle film on and biology. Strickman has 34 years of experience plant leaves and fruit reduces plant temperature working with mosquitoes, having performed research and diffuses light into the canopy to increase on taxonomy, integrated pest management, dengue photosynthesis and fruit quality. Glenn will be and malaria. honored on August 2, 2010, at an award ceremony at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Food Technologist Charles Horticultural Science in Palm Desert, CA. Onwulata, with the ARS Eastern Regional Research Center, Dairy Research Geneticist Chad Finn, ARS Horticultural Processing and Products Research Crops Research Unit in Corvallis, OR, was elected Unit in Wyndmoor, PA, will be a Fellow of the American Society of Horticultural named a Fellow by the Institute Science. Finn is one of the world leaders in berry of Food Technologists (IFT), crop genetics, having participated in the release of at for his outstanding research in least 35 new cultivars—10 strawberry, 13 blackberry, the areas of extrusion processing, 6 raspberry, and 6 blueberry. Total fruit sales from Charles Onwulata microencapsulation and food these cultivars in 2008 were $18.4 million in the structuring, which led to successful commercialized Pacific Northwest, with an additional $1.2 million products. IFT will honor Onwulata at its Annual in plant sales at wholesale nurseries. He will be Meeting and Food Expo on July 19, 2010, in honored on August 2, 2010 at an award ceremony Chicago, IL. at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science in Palm Desert, CA. Research Chemist Jeanette (Jan) M. Cardamone, with the ARS Eastern Regional Research Center’s Soil Scientist Richard Todd, ARS Renewable Fats, Oils and Animal Coproducts Research Unit in Energy and Manure Management Research Wyndmoor, PA, was selected as the 2010 recipient Unit, Bushland, TX, contributed to the project of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Cellulose “Air Quality: Reducing Emissions from Cattle

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Feedlots and Dairies,” which won the 2010 Texas distributors. The product is in 235 stores across the Environmental Excellence Award from the Texas United States, including Mid-Atlantic Giant Food Commission on Environmental Quality. stores and HEB grocery stores in Texas.

High school student intern Research Chemist Joan Lunney, Stephanie Rodrigues, with ARS Animal Parasitic Diseases the ARS Food Composition Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, was and Methods Development presented with the International Laboratory, Beltsville, Journal of Biological Sciences’ MD, worked on a science 2009 “Most Cited Paper Award” project entitled “Curry for her paper on “Advances Leaves: A Culinary Agent in Swine Biomedical Model with Antioxidant Power.” Joan Lunney in her Genomics.” Rodrigues worked under the laboratory. Stephanie Rodrigues direction of Research Chemist in the lab. Devanand (Dave) Luthria of Terry Howell, Acting Laboratory Director and the same laboratory. She was Research Leader of the ARS Soil and Water awarded first place in the “Chemistry Division” at Management Research Unit, Bushland, TX, and Soil Eleanor Roosevelt High School’s science fair, and Scientist Karen Copeland, in the same unit—along received multiple prizes at the PG County Regional with co-authors Suat Irmak, Ayse Irmak and Derrel Science Fair—including first place in the chemistry Martin (University of Nebraska), and Jose Payero category, best presentation for chemistry, the Sigma (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Xi Scientific Research Society Award, an invitation to Irrigated Farming Systems in Australia)—will the CIA for a tour and award assembly, and a $5,000 be presented the 2010 American Society of Civil annual scholarship to the University of Maryland Engineers (ASCE) Journal of Irrigation and Drainage (Baltimore County). Engineering Honorable Mention Paper Award for their paper, “Variability Analyses of Alfalfa- ARS industry partner, CrispTek, Reference to Grass-Reference Evapotranspiration LLC, located in Columbia, MD, won Ratios in Growing and Dormant Seasons.” the Greater Baltimore Committee’s The award will be presented during the World 2010 Best New Product Award for Environmental and Water Resources Congress, May its ChoiceBatter, a food coating 16–20, 2010, in Providence, RI. made of rice-based flours, pre-gels, and modified rice starches invented Robert (Bob) Martin, by Research Chemist Fred F. Shih Research Leader and Research Kim Daigle and at the ARS Southern Regional Plant Pathologist, with the ARS Fred Shih look Research Center, Food Processing at fried chicken Horticultural Crops Research coated with rice and Sensory Quality Research Unit Unit in Corvallis, OR, has flour batter. Martin analyzes plant in New Orleans, LA. CrispTek virus results. won the Lee M. Hutchins licensed ARS’s patented formula, Award from the American which reduces the oil absorbed in frying batters by Phytopathological Society for his leadership in as much as 50 percent. The batter is gluten-free the characterization of more than 40 viruses of and is suitable for people with Celiac Disease—an small fruit crops, development of strawberry and autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten that affects raspberry with engineered virus resistance, and his 3 million people in the United States. The company work in developing virus control measures that can has signed agreements with two major U.S. food be implemented by growers. The award will be

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presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Technical Information Specialist Cal Thorson, ARS Phytopathological Society in Nashville, TN, in Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, Mandan, August of 2010. ND, received a Fellow Award from the Soil & Water Conservation Society for his leadership and impact Diego Quito, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department in promoting natural resource conservation. He also of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State received the U.S. No-Till Non-Farmer of the Year University and working in the USDA-ARS Small Award for 2010 from the Manitoba-North Dakota Fruit Virology Laboratory at the Horticultural Crops Zero Tillage Farmers Association for excellence in Research Unit in Corvallis, OR, has been awarded promoting soil conservation and no-till farming in his the Anita S. Summers Travel Award. He will present professional capacity. his work on the “Characterization of a New Reovirus from Raspberry” at the Annual Meeting of the Deceased Soil Scientist Armand Bauer, ARS American Phytopathological Society in Nashville, Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory TN, in August of 2010. (NGPRL), Mandan, ND, received the 2010 North Dakota Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductee Award Retired Supervisory Research from the North Dakota Agricultural Hall of Fame Chemist Harry M. Farrell, for excellence in soil science research and education formerly with the ARS Eastern while on staff at North Dakota State University and Regional Research Center, Dairy the ARS NGPRL. Processing and Products Research Unit, is the 2010 recipient of Research Geneticist Larry Kuehn, ARS Genetics the California Dairy Research and Breeding Research Unit, Clay Center, NE, Foundation’s William C. Haines received the Outstanding Recent Alumnus from Dairy Science Award. Farrell was honored at the the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences 12th Dairy Ingredients Symposium in San Francisco, Award for 2009–2010 from Virginia Tech College CA, on March 2–3, 2010. This award recognizes of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The award is a the impact that Farrell’s work has had on the dairy distinct honor of recognition of his achievements industry and recognizes the impact that ARS research since graduating from the University. continues to have on its customers, stakeholders and the American consumer. Office Automation Assistant Amber Whittaker, ARS Ecologist Tom Monaco, ARS Forage and Range Poisonous Plant Research Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, and Rangeland Laboratory in Logan, UT, Scientist Kirk Davies, Range and Meadow Forage received the Honorable Order of Management Research, Burns, OR, both received a Molly Pitcher Award on behalf Society for Range Management 2010 Outstanding of the 65th Fighter’s Brigade, Young Range Professional Award. the United States Army National Amber Whittaker Guard. This award recognizes Information Technology Specialists Leigh Walton women who have voluntarily and Lillian Bacheller, Animal Improvement contributed in a significant way to the improvement Programs Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, received the of the Air Defense Artillery Community. Whittaker, National Dairy Herd Information Association’s a retired Air Force Staff Sergeant, was responsible 2010 Outstanding Service Award. For more than 30 for meeting the needs of 42 families of deployed years, Walton and Bacheller have provided computer soldiers, as well as 102 soldiers and their families expertise to support USDA’s research program on while at her home station. genetic evaluation of U.S. dairy animals, for which the primary data were records collected through dairy herd improvement affiliates. United States Department of Agriculture 7 Agricultural Research Service ARS & You April 2010

of flavors (creamy, organic unsweetened, natural, Did You Know? natural crunch and natural omega-3) and sizes, including new “go packs” designed for lunches and Researchers at the ARS Southern Regional on-the-go snacking. The product is being sold to Research Center in New Orleans, LA, in some of the largest U.S. food companies and retailers, collaboration with Red River Commodities, a such as Kroger, SuperValu, , Target, Trader major producer based in Fargo, Joe’s and Whole Foods, and recently through the ND, developed a process for making a sunflower QVC network. Sunflower seeds are a good source of butter product that resembles the flavor, texture protein, fiber, vitamin E, zinc and iron. SunButter® is and appearance of commercially available peanut currently being used in a variety of foods as an added butter. Red River Commodities came to ARS for ingredient, including in chocolate and SunButter® their processing expertise. ARS scientific experts candy cups, energy bars and a no-peanut peanut were able to solve a major obstacle in processing sauce. SunButter® is an entitlement item and is the product after discovering that improper roasting thus part of the food commodities list for the USDA National School Lunch Program. This technology will increase the value of U.S. sunflower seeds, boosting profitability for U.S. sunflower farmers.

Chicken Pasta with SunButter® Dressing

Ingredients

• 2 pkgs. Ramen noodles, any variety, do not use seasoning packet • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1 cup Italian dressing • 3/4 cup SunButter®

results in poor texture, flavor and appearance. By Directions modifying the roasting process, controlling moisture and ingredient effects, a significantly improved Make ramen noodles as directed on packet sunflower butter was produced. The beauty of this (without seasoning packet). Grill chicken product is that it is an alternative to for breasts; cut into strips. Whisk Italian dressing peanut allergy sufferers. According to the Asthma into SunButter® gradually. Toss noodles and and Allergy Foundation of America, approximately chicken with dressing before serving. 2 percent of the population suffers from peanut SunButter® information is available at: allergies, with symptoms ranging from a mild case www.sunbutter.com of hives to severe anaphylactic shock. So, this alternative is welcome news. Reprinted with permission from Red River Commodities.

Red River Commodities created SunGold Foods, Inc. a company dedicated to commercializing the sunflower product, SunButter®. No company has Please submit story ideas and national award items ever successfully marketed a spreadable sunflower to: Tara T. Weaver-Missick, tara.weavermissick@ars. seed butter. The product is now available in a variety usda.gov or call 301-504-1663.

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