Iowa Agriculturist College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Winter 1971 Iowa Agriculturist 72.03 John Byrnes Iowa State University

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The Dean Speaks

Floyd Andre Dean of Agriculture

To many people, Iowa and agricul­ which the benefits to Iowa people will ture are synonymous. Iowa means agri­ be most pronounced. These resources, culture, and agriculture means Iowa. of course, are the soil, the climate, and Really this is not surprising when we a growing season and rainfall that make stop to consider the facts. Iowa has ~ the State enormously productive agricul­ of all of the Grade A land in the United turally. Only knowledge can be added States. Three out of every four of Iowa's to these, and this becomes our contribu­ acres are cropland. Its climate is ideal tion in the College of Agriculture­ for growing crops. through our programs in resident in­ Iowa grows 203 of the total U.S. struction, research, and extension. The corn crop and 153 of the nation's soy­ very fact we serve such an important bean crop. Hog production in Iowa leads agricultural state makes it imperative all other states by a wide margin, and that the College of Agriculture be a Iowa is the No. 1 cattle feeding state in leader in all three of these areas. the nation. Seven percent of all of the We know that our students in Agri­ food produced in the entire United culture are outstanding, and we are States comes from Iowa farms. grateful that we have excellent staff and Moreover, agriculture in Iowa is facilities for these students. Moreover, more than farming. It is also the pro­ our undergraduate enrollment in Agri­ cessing and marketing of farm products culture is the largest of any college of as well as the production and distribu­ agriculture in the United States, and we tion of the goods and services used in believe that this is recognition of the farming. With all of these segments type of optimism found among our taken together, agriculture is Iowa's big­ young people. They see great opportuni­ gest industry. ties in agriculture-both in farming and In the College of Agriculture here at in business, industry, and public service Iowa State University, our primary re­ associated with farming. Surely, this sponsibility is to serve Iowa agriculture. type of leadership will contribute sig­ It has long been recognized that the nificantly to the synonymy of Iowa and State's resources must be used in ways in agriculture.

2 Iowa Agriculturist IN THIS ISSUE:

4 Your $1842 Debt EDITORIAL: 6 Highway 30 Relocation John Byrnes Editor 9 Pal Proiect Jerry Youde ...... Assoc. Editor Carla Beeler ...... Man. Edi tor 10 A B.S., then Greg Lintz ...... Artist 12 Environtology Council Steve Boyt Staff Bill Tubbs ...... Stall 14 Cynthia Ross Harrison ...... Staff 16 Two Outstanding Profs Tom Hayes ...... Staff Scott McKinney ...... Staff 18 A Way Out for the Environment Lynn Henderson ...... Staff 20 The Occult in Iowa Tim Beeler ...... Staff Bill Block ...... Staff 24 Classroom and Campus Mark Zumbach ...... Sta.ff 26 Campus March

BUSINESS: Gene Johnston ...... Advertising Don Schlichte ...... Circulation IOWAAgricu ltu rist

Vol 72 Winter, 1971 No. 3

PHOTO AND ART CREDITS Iowa State Information Service: 2; Bill Tubbs: 9; Steve Boyt: JO, JI, 16, I 7; Greg Lintz: 12, 18, 20; Bill Bray: 14, 15; Jerry Youde: 20.

The content of this magazine represents the indh,idunl exprc;;sions of the aulhors or editors and does not n,~ce9.sarily reflect the views or attitudes of the student body or the University administration. i\Iember Agricultural College Magazines, Associated. Publication Iloard: K. Robe1 l Kern, I ee Thompson, John Byrnes, Keith Sexton, Gene Bratton, faculty ad,·isor. Pub! hhed quarter!)· by agriculture students at Iowa State UniYersity. Entered as third class bulk rate at 126 Press Building, Ames, Iowa 50010. Subscriptions: I year, Si.50; 2 years, ~2 . 50; 5 years, S5.00.

Winter, 1971 3 Your $1842 Debt

If you're an ag student you own a of the college's top leaders for planning debt of $1842. events which students didn't attend. You probably didn't even know it, The debt was forwarded to the ag col­ but you're responsible for the $1842 lege deans last year with notice that debt 0£ All Ag Fall Festival 1969. That there couldn't be another ag week until was last year's ag week, and it may also it was paid. There wasn't an ag week be the last ag week at Iowa State for this year, nor was the debt paid. Ag some time. In brief, 1969 Ag Week Cen­ Council members, representing you, the tral Committee's big plans fell far short ag students, fought for the funds from of expectations financially, and that's GSB and were defeated twice by an in­ where it hurts now. different student senate. As a last re­ Ag Week '69's financial records show sort, the money was tapped from the ag a loss on every event. The "Big Whop­ college scholarship reserve fund and per" barbecue, due in part to rain, lost personal sources. But these sources, too, $161; the awards banquet with an out­ must be repaid. The debt now belongs standing speaker, Kenneth Monfort, to "the students in the College of Agri­ lost $203; the convocation with Stewart culture." Udall speaking lost $314; the dance in In light of all the frustrations en­ combination with Engineer's Week lost countered by Ag Week Central Commit­ $367 (they hired a $2000 band); and tee in getting students to attend events, button sales even went into the hole not to mention the ensuing financial $124. In addition to these losses, $279 mess, it's time we stop to evaluate stu­ was spent for publicity, $152 for dent activities. This year's Ag Council awards, $129 for office expenses, $52 for has initiated a trend which may be the industrial displays, and $44 for parties guideline for the future. In general, ac­ (it's customary at Iowa State for central tivities requiring large overhead have committees to pull money from the kitty been dropped. Departmental clubs will to support a function or two). Add mis­ carry the load as far as all-college activi­ cellaneous expenses and you'll find Ag ties are concerned, and events will be Week '69 at a loss of $1842. taken one at a time instead of being The question is, WHO is responsible bunched into one week. New methods for this debt? of insuring a minimum of student par­ Members of Ag Week Central Com­ ticipation may be in the wake, and some mittee aren't liable. A provision in the new "educational" activities are being now disbanned Articles of Incorporation tried. The prospects for another ag week of Ag Week has kept the central com­ don't look bright, but maybe this is mittee members safe. Besides, some of good. If participation is your measuring them have graduated and only a few stick, ag students answered with a re­ remain at Iowa State. In all fairness, it's sounding NO last year. not right to put the blame on a group -Bill Tubbs

4 Iowa Agriculturist This is a ''feed store?''

You may be thinking: "You're ducts in each MoorMan Man's stock production. They're based putting me on!" sample case-for hogs, beef cattle, on painstaking MoorMan Re­ Not so. dairy cattle, poultry, sheep and search. And there's a wealth of What you see is the feed store goats. Dogs and horses, too. useful livestock information in a MoorMan Man ~rries when For 'most every feeding job, the MoorMan Man's service and he calls on a livestock producer. there are choices. of high-quality product manuals. By bringing it to the farm, products and forms- for feeding Direct service has been pro­ ranch or feedlot, the MoorMan with the stockman's grain, pas­ vided stockmen since the first Man provides on-the-spot ser­ ture or roughage according to his MoorMan Product was sold in vice to the busy stockman. needs and preferences. Even pro­ 1885. And, each year, more and Together, they can look at his ducts designed for a specific part more stockmen are finding they livestock and facilities. And work of the country-to fit the partic­ get extra value from the products, out feeding programs to fit the ular needs of the area. feeding programs and service pro­ stockman's needs and goals. For each major class of live­ vided by the man who brings There are more than 60 re­ stock, there are step-by-step feed­ this "feed store" direct to the search-developed and proved pro- ing programs for efficient live- farm, ranch or feedlot.

Moorman Mfg. Co., Quincy, Illinois Winter, 1971 Highway 30 By-pass- Progress or Destruction?

by Gene Johnston

One would hardly think busi­ house will have to be moved on ness transactions between two the experiment center farmstead. state-operated establishments in The latest highway commission the same city would suffer from a plans call for the by-pass to angle lack of communication. But ac­ past the southwest corner of cording to officials on both sides, Ames and to connect with the that is partly what happened to present Highway 30 right-of-way cause the recent flare-up between about two miles west of Ames. Iowa State University agricultur­ The new road will then follow al officials and the Iowa State the present right-of-way for two Highway Commission. and one-half miles where it will The trouble centers around the hook up with the four lane sec­ long-overdue completion of a tion of Highway 30 in Boone final strip of highway to the County. Since the new road will south and west of Ames. This be a four lane road and the pres­ Highway 30 by-pass will route ent road is only two lanes, the traffic not destined for Ames past present right-of-way will have to the city and the Iowa State cam­ be widened by about 100 feet. pus. The conflict arises because of But also when completed, con­ this widening. The experiment struction of the new highway will center is situated along a l~ have destroyed five years of agri­ mile strip on the south side of cultural experimentation work at the Highway 30 area that is to the Iowa State Agronomy and Ag­ riculture Engineering Experi­ be widened. According to Uni­ ment Center five miles west of versity officials, five years ago the Ames. A crucial experiment in highway commission told them the control of brown stem rot in that the construction would be soybeans will be lost to the high­ done on the north side of the way, and a two-year-old $32,000 present road. The commission

6 Iowa Agriculturist said at that time only a 15-feet­ "I suppose we should have ar­ It actually is difficult to say wide strip of land would be ranged a meeting with Univer­ which side would involve more taken from the experiment farm sity people when this decision people, since people on both to accomplish the widening. was made, but we didn't do it. sides of the road will be affected The Iowa State experimenters Frankly, we just didn't think no matter where the road is built. then proceeded with beginning about it." Construction as it now stands the research on several long Given said a number of fac­ (that is, on the south) will force range projects, including the soy­ tors were involved in the deci­ at least four families to move, bean work, in areas near the sion to move the construction and if it were built on the other highway, thinking they would not from the north to the south. He side, at least five families would be affected by the construction. said one of the basic considera­ lose their homes. One family on However, in October of 1969, tions is the ease of acquiring land. the north moved their home a the highway commission decided Present Iowa laws say the high­ few years ago, thinking it was to change their plans and widen way commission cannot force a necessary to stay out of the way the right-of-way to the south, person to sell his land or move of the new road. The new plans which meant taking an extra 100- from his home until that person probably mean that move was a foot strip of land on the average, has exhausted all existing chan­ waste of time. or a total of 15.1 acres, from the nels of appeal. "We made the decision to con­ 426 acre experiment center. "Construction on the north struct on the south without know­ "The governor's office was in­ side would have involved five ing the extent of research in­ formed of our decision to move more owner-occupiers than it volved at the University farm," the new construction to the will on the south," said Given. Given said, "and frankly, it south side of the present high­ "It's a matter of taking the easiest wouldn't have influenced our de­ way as soon as that decision was possible route." cision anyway. We're not build­ made," said Robert H. Given, Dr. John Mahlstede, associate ing this highway for the Univer­ deputy chief engineer of develop­ director of Iowa State experimen­ sity, but for the greatest number ment for the highway commis­ tal farms, said as he has it fig­ of people." sion. "But the University didn't ured that about the same number The by-pass is scheduled for find out about it until February of farms are involved regardless completion by the end of 1972. 1970. I guess that would indicate of where the construction takes poor communication. place. (Continued on next page)

Uv01Q I -'! ~ g~ I ,l. 1_.2 ~ V' r '°'I '"' i !

- ---} ...... - -- ...... l-'U A,j...... E )(p e.1-:nic.rit -...... -.__ C.entc~

The dotted line indicates the path the Highway au bypass will follow of Ames and will also shave about 100 feet off the north side of the when completed. The new read will route traffic past the south side Iowa State Ag. Experiment Center at the far left side of the diagram.

Winter, 1971 7 "We're not building this highway for the University, but for the greatest number of people."

The University will probably far that we can get some good that is a safe distance, but Pesek get one more crop from the af­ out of. The particular gradient and other University personnel fected land. of the land we have been using consider it to be too close. Dr. John Pesek, head of the plus the fact that it is 1003 in­ Some other huildings on the Iowa State agronomy depart­ fected with stem rot made this farmstead will be closer to the ment, said it is impossible to say piece of land so important to our right-of-way than expected, but exactly how many dollars or research." they probably will not be moved. years of research will be lost in The agriculture engineering Formal arrangements between the brown stem rot plots. department is also conducting an the University and the highway Brown stem rot, a fungus that experiment that will be almost to­ commission for purchase of the so far is literally impossible to tally swallowed up by the new experiment center land will have control, causes the soybean stem highway. This involves the study to go through the business and fi­ to rot away. It is estimated that of a long range ridge tillage meth­ nance office of Iowa State. Wayne more than 503 of all soybean od and was started in 1965. It More, vice president for business fields in Iowa suffer from brown was to i·nvolve 8-10 years of ob­ and finance, said so far there has stem rot, and yields may be re­ servation, according to George been some communications with duced by as much as 503 in Ayres, manager of agriculture the highway commission, but a fields that are 1003 infected. engineering work at the center. final price for the land and dam­ Dr. John Dunleavy, professor The highway commission is ages has not been agreed upon. of plant pathology, said if some­ borrowing 15 acres of land in the Right now, both the Univer­ thing isn't done to stop brown area that Ayres is involved with. sity and the highway commission stem rot in the next few years, This borrowed land will be used feel their toes have been stepped soybeans will not be able to com­ for fill soil. The top eight inches on. pete with other crops from an of the soil well be scraped off, the Pesek said he was told the con­ economic standpoint. Right now, underlying subsoil will be used struction was going to the south soybeans are second only to corn to build the highway bed, and the because the new road would then in Iowa in value as a cash crop. topsoil will then be redistributed. line up btter with the four lane Control of soybean disease be­ This treatment of the topsoil will section already completed. "In a comes even more significant with ruin the work Ayres has spent strip of road that long, I can't the increasing importance of soy­ the last five years accomplishing. see why they can't line things up beans in the synthesis and devel­ Ayers said this particular experi­ by doing the construction on opment of new and cheaper ment requires about two years of either side of the present road," foods. just getting the ridges built up he said. At the research center, Dun­ before actual results can be re­ "The city of Ames and the leavy and others have been study­ corded. University have held up con­ ing the effects of other crops in Other research to be affected struction of this project for rotation with soybeans to see by the construction includes a years," said Given. "I can appre­ what the other crops do to reduce study of corn root worms, and ciate the concern of the people the severity of stem rot. This ro­ sorghum and forage projects. involved in the research, but tation plan was started in 1965. However, Pesek said these proj­ we're not taking all their plots At that time, the test plots were ects can be easily maneuvered to and we're only taking land al­ placed far enough from the road allow for construction of the ready occupied by the state of to allow for the 15-foot strip of highway. Iowa." land to be taken off. With the Relocation of the farmstead And so the argument goes, change in construction plans, house is still a problem to be with both sides actually giving these soybean plots will be al­ solved. The original plans of very little thought to the pre­ most completely destroyed, end­ the highway commission called dicament of the other. The de­ ing the research at about its half for the highway to be built more cision has been made to build way point, Dunleavy said. than 100 feet from the house, but on the south, and that decision "Actually, the work will not the new plans will leave the struc­ probably will stand. And years go totally down the drain. We've ture 40 feet from the right-of-way. of valuable research will be de­ got five years of observation so The highway commission has said stroyed.

8 Iowa Agriculturist an," said Don Christianson, cam­ pus program director. "This is not only a counseling relation­ ship, but perhaps more import­ ant, a friendship." Some students who have been A Chance pals in the past have maintained their friendship for two or three years, and the great majority of students commenting about the program felt that is "was really worthwhile" and that they "really To Help got a lot out of it." Any student on campus is eli­ gible to be a big pal and to work with a little pal, to deal with little problems that can mean so much, and to let his little pal know that someone cares for him. by Connie Hefty The primary responsibilities which YM-YWCA asks of big pals is to put a fair amount of time into the relationship and to at­ tend two informal meetings a "I didn't want him to feel like cipate range in age from five to month. These meetings are a type a god or like a little kid either. 17. They are recommended by of training reflection seminars I just treated him on the same their counselors, m1n1sters, or where big pals can meet to share level as all my other friends." parents to take part in the pro­ their experiences, to learn about These were the comments of Russ gram. They are frequently, but themselves and how to relate to Petro, An Sci-Pre-Vet 2, on the 13- not necessarily, from broken others, and to discuss the obsta­ year-old pal he met last year homes. Many are from one-par­ cles they meet in their relation­ through a project co-sponsored by ent or no-parent homes, and some ships. the YWCA and the YMCA. live with both parents but have The greatest problem the PAL Russ, who is one of several ag no big brothers or sisters. project faces now, according to students participating in the proj­ "A lot of these kids are lonely project coordinators, is that it ect, says it was a fantastic exper­ and need a significant relation­ needs more male volunteers-how ience. "The little pal not only ship with an older man or worn- about you? benefits, but the big pal can bene­ fit too. My ·pal dropped out of school in December, but he re­ turned this year. "A big pal has to be a good listener, and he has to be able to talk about down-to-earth things like hunting and fishing. I could have talked politics and told my pal about my views on the Viet Nam war, but what good would it have done? We had to start out on the same level. He seemed to have basically good interests, and I feel that we had a pretty strong relationship." The Iowa State YW-YMCA PAL project is a one-to-one re­ lationship between university stu­ dents and Ames youths. Accord­ ing to PAL project coordinators Russ Petro, Dave Spahn, and Sue Tharp the purpose of the project is to provide Ames youth with a "big brother" or "big sister" for friendship and counseling. Russ Petro (left) interviewing Dan Apple, Pre-Vet I, who has just joined the Pal Project. Pres· The Ames youths who parti- ently there are about 80 students involved in the project.

Winter, 1971 9 (

In his previous job for Halverson traveled through­ out the United States and Canada analyzing markets, pricing final products, and improving product design. In his present job Halverson doesn't travel much, but instead is directly involved with three jobs: Coordina­ tion of all special research studies, administrator of M.O.B. (management by objectives), and long range company planning. Today there is a trend toward larger farms, accord­ ing to Halverson. "As long as the size of farms goes up and the number of farms goes down, there will be .A /J. S., then • • • an increase of agriculturally related jobs and more specialization within the farming operation." One of by Steve Boyt the main reasons that farms are getting bigger is the fact that it is getting harder every day to support and make money on a small operation and still keep com­ petitive with the big farms, Halverson said. Coordination of long range planning for an agri­ Halverson stressed the importance of taking sta­ cultural cooperative is the main duty of Duane Hal­ tistics and accounting courses in college. "These verson, a 1969 ISU masters degree graduate in Ag courses should be concentrated on in college because Business. Halverson works for Felco-Land-O'Lakes at of the high degree of specialization in farming that is Fort Dodge. Halverson says his job is looking into in the near future." new aspects of the present system and improving on No matter what field you go into, Halverson said, the old ways. you should remember that you ordinarily work at a There are two kinds of jobs, Halverson said, that job only eight hours a day so you need to take some a person can get when he has a degree in Ag Business, liberal arts courses while you are at college. "If you and he has had both types-one is traveling and the take courses in art, music, and literature you can other is research. have a fuller life and enjoy it more," Halverson said.

IO Iowa Agriculturist In his job Halverson assish with coordina· tion between several departmenh. To aid in this coordination a computer is used.

Halverson strHHs the importance of tak· ing many liberal arts courses while in col· lege. He says this will make your time off the fob more enjoyable.

Winter, 1971 11 Iowa State's Environtology Council An Attempt to Save a Troubled

by Glen Moravek

It's a winter's afternoon and you're going for a ride in the country. You're driving west out of Ames, triyng to remember how it all used to be. You're trying to forget the thin fog-like haze, the stagnant air, the powerline towers and you're triyng to put bright sunrays back in there somewhere. You're remembering back to your college days in the early seventies when you and the guys would hunt pheasants in the fields you're passing. No pheas­ ants there now. Their cover gave way to more cropland. Afterall, the country's population is half again as large as it was when you were young and it has to be fed. You've gone through Boone and you're driving over the Des Moines River bridge and you've just glanced at the frozen brown river below. You're wondering if kids still drink beer on spring evenings around the campfires on the river's banks. Probably­ you know kids, but you're think­ ing they would have to be pretty drunk to enjoy the scenery and smell now.

12 Iowa Agriculturist Environment

Spectacular afternoon. Beauti­ developed that would reach all To help keep the university ful world. Isn't it? Speculation? levels of society. Third, the community informed, the Coun­ Right now it is, but it could be Council would make recommen­ cil has conducted seminars, short the look of the future. But en­ dations concerning future univer­ courses, publishes a monthly vironmental changes haven't gone sity activity in studying pollution. newsletter and provides speakers neglected. Here at Iowa State Fourth, it would like to serve in for both university and outside concerned faculty members in an advisory capacity for the pro­ interested groups. It distributes the past have worked to lessen curement and administration of environmental information wide­ the problems, but on an essential­ funds. ly, to government organizations, ly individual basis. Today, many The Council operates under other institutions and various members have joined forces and the chairmanship of William publications. are a t t a c k i n g environmental Buck and an executive secretary, Research is a very significant problems through the Iowa State David Trauger. It has set up an council activity. And with the Environtology Council. Executive Comittee for the han­ advantage of council members The Council lists as its forma­ dling of day-to-day operations, coming from many fields of sci­ tion purposes, ". . . to promote and an Organization Committee ence, their expertise provides a research and comunication across which works on a long-range broad base from which problems the usual divisions of departments basis, determining the Council's can be attacked. To facilitate the and disciplines .. . " so as to di­ future directions. cross-structured nature of council vide the work of the Council into Task forces have been set up research, a central laboratory has more manageable pieces. The and are concerned with the sub­ been established where members Council brings together scientists jects of ecology, air and water pol­ can work together with special­ and educators from various de­ lution, disposal of chemicals, and ized equipment. partments across the university other problems. The purpose of Service is the third environ­ whose knowledge and abilities are these task forces is to identify en­ mental action taken by the Coun­ essential in studying environmen­ vironmental problems in their cil and along these lines, it takes tal problems. In effect, the Coun­ specific areas and to make recom­ scientific surveys and studies of cil provides the machinery for mendations to the Council con­ select pollution cases. With the communication and action on a cerning them. They single out assistance of students on the En­ multidisciplinary scientific front. areas where more research is vironmental Action Committee, This aproach has minimized the needed and place priorities on the Environtology Council has number of meetings and commit­ research as a guide for university organized a comprehensive coun­ tees an individual member must administration. ty-wide surface water analysis. attend, and hopefully, has made Environmental action taken by Through this study, municipal the task of preserving the envi­ the council is of three types: edu­ and agricultural water pollution ronment much more efficient at cation, research, and service. sources in the county can be the university. The Council educates about identified. The Environtology Council ex­ the environment both inside and Through the seventies, the pressed a number of objectives outside the university. Educa­ challenge of controlling environ­ when it formed. First, the Coun­ tional programs aimed at the uni­ mental pollution will inevitably cil wanted to identify, research versity audience include curicu­ increase. But with the efforts of and ultimately resolve short and lum proposals, technical training, long-range environmental prob­ workshops, seminars. Also coun­ the Environtology Council, may­ lems. Second, the Council mem­ cil members have succeeded in be there will be pheasant hunting bers proposed that an informa­ establishing at least two new uni­ next fall, and the next, and the tion and education program be versity courses. next, and .. .

Winter, 1971 13 Photos by _/ ) .. _.. Bill Bray -

14 Iowa Agriculturist Cynthia Helmers has a distinction that is rather rare for afJ Iowa State coed -she is the current Miss Iowa. Next May Cynthia will travel to Miami to compete in the Miss USA. pageant. A. win there and she will rep­ resent the nation in the M iH Universe Conest. Cynthia, an elementary education major, come• Jrom a farm near Sibley. She is a memb·er of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

' Two Profs with a Different by Carla Beeler Two interesting notes add to learn should remain as flexible as own pace, through the u.se of a the excitement surrounding last possible." written study guide, tapes, pic­ year's "Ag Professor of the Year" "I, myself, in going through tures, diagrams, figures and speci­ award. For the first time, the school tired of dull lectures and men samples. The study room is honor was awarded to two men, rigid class schedules. Too often, open 8:00 to 5:00 each day and and better yet, the two used to the lecture method of teaching it's up to the students to come. be next door neighbors here in moves too fast for some students "They have to learn to accept the Ames! Although they're no long­ and too slow for others. There­ responsibility with this freedom," er neighbors, Detroy Green and fore, the learning method should Green says. "They're encouraged George Thomson still have some­ remain flexible." to come and get help," he says, thing in common. Green is concentrating along "either from the instructor pres­ One co-winner, Dr. Detroy E. these lines and one course he ent in the study room or from Green, is an avid hunting fan manages reflects those ideas. The their discussion leader either in and father of five children. Green course is Agronomy 114-A, also or outside of their discussion came to Iowa State from Mis­ known as PLANTS-Personalized group. The system emphasizes the souri, where he was born, reared Learning And Narrated Tutoral one-to-one ratio, instructor to stu­ and educated. He received his System. It is a system whereby dent, method." bachelor's degree from the Uni­ the student spends three to six Dr. Green feels the demands of versity of Missouri in agricultural hours a week in a self-learning the course are reasonable. He education. After serving in the study room situation with an in­ says, "I also think this type learn­ Army which, common to students structor always present to offer ing situation will be helpful in today, interrupted his education, help if the student should need students' futures. Nowhere in lat­ and after teaching high school vo­ help. er life will he be subjected to the cational agriculture for five years, Here the students learn at their large lecture learning system." Green returned to the U of Mis­ souri. There he received both his ...... master's and doctorate degrees in 2 plant breeding from the depart­ ment of field crops. He's a busy man, and admits it. "Whew ... busy day, busy weekend and busy quarter, I guess," Green sighed as he re­ turned to his office from one of three agronomy courses he teach­ es. Although he is involved in some research concerned with soy­ bean breeding, Dr. Green empha­ sizes that three-fourths of his time is committed to teaching. He says of his teaching philoso­ phy, "There has been too much concern with teaching and teach­ ing methods. Now we should work at setting up situations for student learning. I feel that Green helping a student in the PLANTS lab, an attempt to provide students with a flexible methods by which a student can learning system.

16 Iowa Agriculturist Approach

The other co-winner of the "Ag After all, their objective is em­ quires teamwork on an in-depth Professor of the Year" award is ployment, so I think we instruct­ analyzation of the problem. "Now Dr. George W. Thomson, profes­ ors should talk professionalism." with the final, I step out of the sor of forestry. Dr. Thomson is Thomson doesn't employ au­ professor pattern and they be­ the 49-year-old father of three dio-visuals in his teaching, but come the consultants. This gets boys, so naturally some of his does use much role-playing for them out of the student pattern favorite pastimes include the seniors in his forestry manage­ and gets them involved," he says. American standbys, football and ment course. The midterm in "Involvement is the important hunting. this course usually consists of a thing here and not a written fi­ He was born and reared on a page long problem which re- nal," says Dr. Thomson. farm near Pecatonica, Illinois, leaving when he came to Iowa State in 1939 to do his undergrad­ uate work. After three years in the service, Thomson returned to ISU to. take a "refresher" and ended up staying to work on his master's and eventually, his doc­ torate degrees. "I just never got away," he smiles and says. He's a full time teacher and part of each of his summers is spent in summer forestry camps, spread across the United States. Dr. Thomson is also chairman of the College of Agriculture honors program and says his work there is fun, working with high-caliber students. Thomson believes that success as a teacher comes with wide ex­ posure to students and his expos­ ure must be one of the widest! He has them as freshman stu­ dents, counsels many, works with them at summer camp and helps place them in jobs when they're seniors. Dr. Thomson's teaching philos­ ophy consists of some definite ideas, not techniques. He says, "I think instructors should lean hard on undergraduate teaching and not talk down to students. Students are better than they think they are. They should feel Thomson in his office looking over some computer moteriols. He is o strong supporter of pro­ as if they're going somewhere. fessors who do not talk down to students.

Winter, 1971 17 Organic Farming A Way Out For The Environment

by Tom Hayes

In recent years a new magical cure-all whispered around among farmers and agri-business people is organic farming. The term is rather vague and has been asso­ ciated with more than one way of farming. Basically it is con­ cerned with conserving the fertil­ ity of the soil. It favors a more natural process in farming. The exact level is not definite which is why there is a wide degree of variation in the method. The arguments in favor of or­ ganic farming are sometimes very strong. Some people feel that no chemicals or artificial fertilizers fertilizers of any kind should be used. The matter of pollution is of great importance today. Our water and air are already being affected. Soil may be in danger of the same fate. Some people claim that a high percent of streams and wells in Iowa are al­ ready contaminated with farm chemicals. Chemicals in the soil can cause many harmful results. Organic matter and soil organisms are known to decrease in the soil

18 Iowa Agriculturist when artificial fertilizer is used. in this day and age. They claim man is in a struggle with the rest Also, there is data showing that soil is not becoming polluted of nature for survival in the where large quantities of artifi­ to a dangerous level. Their data world. To survive, they say, man cial fertilizer and chemicals are shows soil organic matter and is learning to regulate nature in­ used, the nutritional value of the soil organisms are not reduced stead of changing with it. Man food crop is lowered. to a dangerously low level. Na­ may be the one to become ex­ Stronger chemicals are being ture is capable of wild excesses, tinct if he allowed nature to run used because pests are develop­ they say. Also, nature is capable its own course. They say that ing resistance to some. The ideas of intelligent management by many other forms of animals and of biological and cultural control man. plants once in existance have lost are used by organic farmers be­ These people say that popula­ the race to change. Chemicals cause this is more in keeping tion increases demand for new and fertilizers in farming may be with nature's ways. methods of farming. Continuous one way to keep the balance of Possibly, the most important cropping is becoming more neces­ nature on our side. factor in organic farming is say. This means artificial fertiliz­ Today with the population proper crop rotation. Using a ers are needed. Also chemical growing and the threat of pollu­ rotation under natural condi­ control of disease and pests are tion at hand, man is presented tions, plants are supplied with more important in this system. with many problems. He has to the n e c es s a r y requirements These people say success of crops solve such problems as food pro­ through the activity of soil or­ must be insured. With popula­ duction and soil conservation. ganisms. Organic matter is the tion as big as it is now, man can­ Are chemicals and artificial main key to the organic farming not risk the chance of crop fail­ fertilizers polluting the soil to a method. In many cases this is ures due to pests or disease. They dangerous level? Should man be used entirely instead of artificial say modern chemicals can control allowed to control nature and if fertilizer. There are usually less and eliminate plagues and fa­ so then to what degree? Which bacteria and earthworms in soil mines. Only with chemicals and method of farming is more where chemicals and artificial artificial fertilizers can the dan­ healthy for man? And which for fertilizers have been used. Sup­ ger of a world wide food shortage nature? Which is more impor­ porters of organic farming site be reduced, they claim. As far as tant? data showing that organic farm­ these people are concerned, the More extensive research should ing favors more biotic life in the sooner people accept this idea be done. Long term unbiased soil. It also favors better soil and change to it, the better. data is needed to determine what structure in most cases. People who believe in using method is best. Maybe a com­ People favoring this method chemicals and artificial fertilizers bination of each method should of farming say it is better for think we should attempt to opti­ be considered. Rotations are health reasons. They claim that mize our cropping systems. These good for maintaining soil struc­ since they do not contaminate systems require the use of the best ture and usually lower the risk the soil with chemicals or artifi­ management practices known. If of pests and disease in the crop. cial fertilizers, the crops produced there is a limiting factor such as Fertilizers increase the yield and are not contaminated. And since fertilizer, they believe it should let farmers raise continuous a rotation is used, the soil is not be applied. The amount of or­ crops. Chemicals insure crops run down as it would be with ganic matter available probably will not be harmed by pests or continuous crop pin g. Some could not meet the need for fer­ disease. people even believe that the more tilizer. Rotations are not always Maybe more control of chem­ natural way of farming is God's feasible, they say, and soil struc­ icals and fertilizers should be way. They think that the soil ture is easily built up again if it considered so that they are used should remain in its natural state should begin to deteriorate. properly. Also, more standards as originally found and if it is They say in the long run chemi­ should be set up and then en­ built up, it should be done in as cals and artificial fertilizers are forced. High yield production natural a way as possible. going to pay off in farming. Man will have to be insured in the fu­ On the other side of the fence will rely on them more and more ture. There can be no factors are those people who favor the in the future. Pollution of the limiting production. But pollu­ use of chemicals and artificial soil will never reach a dangerous tion will have to be kept in close fertilizers in the farming pro­ level because soil is the best check. The best answer may be gram. These people believe sterilant known to man. a combination of both farming modern technology is important Some of these people say that methods.

Winter, 1971 19 Occults

by Ross Harrison

The supernatural, fact or fan­ tasy, has worked its way into modern society. More of the con­ t em po r a r y American's time, money and thought have gone into psychic phenomena than ever before. In the United States the West Coast claims the most publicity; probably because of the bizarre variety of occultists that have settled there, and more recently because of the Charles Manson murder case. Despite the lack of national publicity from Iowa and the Mid­ west, psychic phenomena is a growing part of our society, too. Here, the occult, until recently referred to in the same whispers as was population and birth con­ trol a few years ago, is likewise another topic that is becoming acceptable. It may go unnoticed by the man-on-the street, but it's here. There is evidence of the in­ crease in acceptance. Jean Dixon, a famous clairvoyant, has in the past few years sold more than three million copies of her discoveries. After a history of sluggish sales, more than two million ouija boards were sold in 1969. Ten thousand professional astrologers have turned the Zo­ diac into nearly a $200 million per year business. More than 1,200 daily news­ papers in the U.S., including the Des Moines Tribune, publish

20 Iowa Agriculturist Invade Iowa

columns on astrology for upwards A psychology professor at Iowa tance. Many open-minded men of 40 million readers. The Na­ State University in Ames, Dr. are, therefore, allowing for the tional Council of Churches say Donald Schuster, explained why possibility of a fourth-dimension there are about 400 "churches" he believes a typical college stu­ or an Unobstructed Universe in the country, involving about dent is more interested in the (a book by S. E. White on para­ 150 thousand housewives, busi­ mystic world today than he was psychology). nessmen, teachers and other com­ 10 or 15 years ago. He said some Although the occult is gaining mon citizens, that preach witch­ students really want this "fourth­ support, it has however, a long craft, black magic and Satanism. dimension" to exist and eventual­ way to go in this part of the It is in the universities. Duke ly be controllable by humans "be­ country. In the department of of North Carolina, the City Col­ cause they feel it could bring psychology at Iowa State, for ex­ lege of New York, the University hope" to our presently troubled ample, Dr. Schuster has found of California, the University of world. only negative opinions of his re­ Chicago-all are names on a In that category, he puts most search. He was careful to ex­ longer list of universities, state as of the students and population of plain, "All the time and money well as private, that offer classes the Midwest who aren't definitely that I have used to research and spend research time and close-minded about the exist­ psychic phenomena has been my money on the occults.. ence of strange forces. He pointed own." Bad publicity about his According to the "believers," out the frustration, though, of research into clairvoyance and the increase in acceptance is a re­ their wanting to believe because ESP, he feels, could ruin his fu­ sult of more scientific proof of of the good that the "forces" ture. ESP, clairvoyance, and a host of could provide, but of the lack of Recently, Dr. Schuster held a other psychic related concerns. knowledge and evidence needed seminar-all participants selec­ Parapsychologists (those who to convince them. tively invited. Its purpose was to study events that are unexplained Some sociologists contend that plan research on Sen meditation, by traditional scientific laws) are the turning of men's minds to yoga and telepathy. About a trying to improve their reputa­ superstition is a result of the dozen faculty members from vari­ tion by screaming fraud!, fake! "hard pressure of today's society, ous departments attended. and liar!" at those money-seeking coupled with more spare time One aspect of telepathy the mediums who have cheated and and not enough education to fill group intends to examine is deceived the public for profit. it properly." teaching a person to control his A man who has given an air of Opposing the skeptics, para­ brain waves so that he may cap­ respectability to scientific investi­ psychologists say modern man is ture precise feelings of another gations of psychic powers is Gard­ beginning to realize that tradi­ person without visible or audible ner Murphy. Murphy, one of the tional science and the contem­ communication. most revered men of American porary Christian religion are According to Dr. Schuster, re­ psychologists, has said that this shallow. They fail to rationally search has shown that this can be area of psychology is one that explain the infinity of space, the done. He has made a study of should be investigated to a great­ existence of God and other Fred Kimball, a Californian who er extent. problems of far-reaching impor- claims he can teach telepathy and

Winter, 1971 21 "research speculation and belief in some form of the occult are gaining

more acceptance in the US. and in Iowa."

mind control. The findings of or use hallucinogenic drugs, or to the satisfaction of even some this study haven't been formally participate in sex orgies in the be­ of the most skeptical of scientists, computed yet, but Dr. Schuster half of their particular occult, do another breakthrough into the says the indications show that so with extreme caution, mostly psychic world is anxiously anti­ Kimball can indeed do exactly among their own, long known cipiated by parapsychologists, what he claims. friends. A reliable source con­ their critics and humanity. The ultimate good of tele­ fided that he knows of three small The Iowa State University pathy, said Dr. Schuster, lies in groups in Iowa who practice tor­ chapter of Campus Crusades, a communication. For example, ture and satanistic rights. student organization of evanga­ when foreign countries meet to Much more common than these lism, brought Andre Kole to discuss their policies, the world vivid ceremonies is the housewife Ames in early October this year would know who the liars are. with a copy of Jean Dixon's best to lecture on fraudulent mediums Dr. Schuster opposes the use of seller, or a paperback on astrol­ who have taken advantage of the drugs like LSD and mescaline as ogy, telling her what to expect public. An internationally fa­ mind-expanding tools or as means during some phase of the stars. mous magician and evangalist, to explore the world of psychic Also, there are moderate oc­ Kole was careful not to denounce phenomena. Mr. Fay Clark of cultistic activities associated with all persons that claimed psychic Perry, Iowa, takes a different at­ the meetings of the Spiritual powers, because, he said, some titude. Frontiers Fellowship. The Fel­ probably do exist. Clark has been a two-term lowship, currently about 35 mem­ It was ironic when he began officer on the board of trustees bers, usually meets in an Ankeny his religious appeal to an audi­ of the Association for Research or Des Moines church. They in­ ence of one thousand at C. Y. and Enlightenment. The Asso­ vite the public to listen to their Stevens Auditorium that he ciation has a membership of 50 guest speakers whose topics serve should quote the Bible in say­ thousand and a purpose of re­ to inform members about the ing that when five particular searching the "nonphysical pow­ modern psychic movement and conditions of earthly living were ers which effect life." Clark has recent discoveries. satisfied, Jesus Christ would re­ also studied the supernatural, The group raises very few eye­ turn and all who believed would which he prefers to call the brows, though the meetings are be saved; ironic because those "supernormal," for 35 years. He publicly advertised, because its who wrote the Bible were, in a presently operates a bookstore members are like any members sense, mediums; not like most that sells materials concerning of an ordinary bridge club or contemporary mediums, but ac­ parapsychology. garden club-regular, every-day cording to most theologians, me­ Under medical supervision, citizens, expressing, usually, a di urns of God. Clark says he has taken more mild curiosity for the unknown. Many present day parapsychol­ than 100 "trips" on mescaline (an Fantasy or fact, good or bad, ogists agree with the ultimate, hallucinogen classified as a dan­ research, speculation and belief tian religion. Not that the oc­ gerous narcotic by the govern­ in some form of the occult are long-range concepts of the Chris­ ment) in an attempt to enter the gaining more acceptance in the cultists or the Christian religion psychic world. Accounts of his U.S. and in Iowa. Compared to are right or wrong, but with the experiences are in his book, B e­ their cnt1cs, parapsychologists increase in world disasters and yond the Light. with conviction, searching; for the fulfillment of the earthly Activities of most occultists in the truth, are still far outnum­ conditions predicted by the Bible, Iowa are not sensationally pub­ bered. coupled with more public appre­ licized like those of California. It will be interesting to investi­ ciation of the occults, this gener­ Iowans and visitors from out of gate their findings as research in­ ation or the next may find out­ state who practice the black arts, creases. Now that ESP has proven fantasy or fact.

22 Iowa Agriculturist EIll~ Ill EIll~ Ill[]

Old MacDonald's is a big business today ... no more "little chickie here and a little chickie there." The pitchfork image is out. Farming is a multi-million dollar operation run by astute businessmen. John Deere designs and manufactures the modern tools these businessmen use-multi-thousand-dollar tools. Beyond that, John Deere provides heavy machinery in the construc­ tion and forestry fields and small tractors and mowers for home lawn and garden care. In order to do this, we look to people who can speak com­ puter language or build with a draftsman's pencil, who can examine a balance sheet or dissect a Diesel engine, or who can manage, sell, and innovate. We look to you. Interview with us when we're on campus. We're a lot more than you'd expect. a John Deere, Moline, Illinois 61265 An equal opportunity employer.

Winter, 1971 23 versities during the last ten years . also job interviews, applications, ..L Among universities which have and ag-related occupations. discontinued separate poultry Other plans on the council's science departments are Minne­ agenda this year include inter­ sota, South Dakota, Oklahoma departmental basketball compe­ State and Purdue. tition, speech contests, the Senior The animal science depart­ Seminar, and the All-Agriculture ment will be responsible for Banquet. Also in the making is poultry science research, exten­ a four-state regional Ag Council sion and instruction. The de­ Conference, of which our council partment will have specialists in would be a member. poultry science as it does in the dairy science programs main­ tained by the department. Grad­ uate degree programs in poultry science will continue to be off­ ered. Staff members for the Iowa Ag­ riculturist are badly needed. In­ terested artists, writers and pho­ Despite the absence of an Ag tographers would very easily find Week this fall, the Ag Council something to do for the magazine. sponsored many other activities Anyone who is interested is urged including an Officer Seminar for to stop by the office in 126 Press Classroom & all departmental officers. An Ac­ and talk to the staff. It is not nec­ tivity Seminar was also held to essary to be a journalism major to which all freshman and sopho­ work on the Agriculturist. Campus more agriculture students were Also anyone having comments invited. University activities on the magazine is encouraged to were discussed at the seminar, make these known to the staff. Poultry Science programs at Iowa State will be offered by the animal science department next July when the poultry science de­ partment will be discontinued. Low enrollment of undergrad­ uates majoring in poultry science was cited in the recommendation to abolish the department at the November 12-13 meeting of the State Board of Regents. At that meeting approval was granted by the Regents to discontinue the department and to incorporate poultry science programs into the animal science department. Since 1950 enrollment in poul­ try science has ranged from 8 to 28. In 1968 it was decided to continue the department for three years to determine whether enrollment in the undergraduate curriculum would increase suffi· ciently to justify a separate de­ partment. This fall, 15 students were en­ rolled: one freshman, ont! sopho­ more, ten juniors and three seniors. They will be permitted to continue their present curricu­ A i.,,. ltVmMr of ag students took advan· dents at th second annual Ag Industrial lum. tage of a chance to meet informally with Days. Career planning, vocational goals The dropping of poultry sci­ representatives of 15 agribusiness firms and developing an area of student interest ence as an undergraduate major December 15. Pictured above is Charles in agriculture was the emphasis of the Nichols, a representative of Federal land event. has been a growing trend in uni- Bank of Omaha, talking to two ag stu·

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Winter, 1971 25 The Block and Bridfo Club opened its year with the 52nd an­ nual Little International in October. Co-chairmen for the show were Bob Wagner and Jim Ulrich. This year's top showman at the show was Grant Conover. The Angus Club and Quarter Horse special interest groups spent a weekend in South Dakota visiting several different ranches and other facets of the livestock industry. New club .activities this fall in­ ~- Campus March cluded the formation of a pork ::.--- special interest group which is headed by Keith Vincent. What of Agriculture is hoped to become an annual ... club calf sale was held in Nevada with most of the stock consigned by club members. One other club-planned event was a coun­ try-western barn dance held in the beef barn hayloft.

The Ag Engineering Club held The Ag Business Club reports two "get-acquainted" functions it plans to initiate a service proj­ fall quarter, primarily geared ect this year, along with its reg­ toward meeting and acquainted ular activities. The club has al­ new members with the club. so taken on the responsibility of Twenty members represented Ag Industrial Displays in hopes the club at the annual winter that more companies will re­ meeting held in Chicago by the spond favorably and provide stu­ parent society. dents in the Ag College with In the planning stages now is career goals and employment op­ the banquet to be held in J anu­ portunities. ary, an annual event. Other activities the club will be busy with this year are Agri­ Business and Farm Manager of the Year Awards, spring field trip, annual spring banquet, Vei­ The Student Organization of shea program sales and Veishea Urban Planners elected Tom Open House. Brandt to the office of secretary this fall. Senior members Guy Mueller and Scott Shafer will represent Zoology Club planned several the club at an American Insti­ projects dealing with ecology tute of Planner's chapter meet­ during fall quarter. Some of these ing and participate in a "student projects will be carried out co­ input" session there. operatively with the Environ­ Farm Operations Club elected mental Action Group. Several Lonnie Miller as treasurer at the speakers have appeared at club October meeting. The vacancy meetings. One of these speakers, was created when Jan Clark was Dick Bishop of the State Conser­ Poultry Science Club's main fatally injured in a car accident vation Commission discussed the project for fall quarter was proc­ this past summer. The club is behavior of Canadian geese in essing and selling one hundred donating a calf to the Cyclone Northern Canada. Another Zo­ Thanksgiving turkey's. These Club's More Beef in the Line ology Club activity was a job turkey's were sold to businesses project in memory of Clark, an seminar designed to show the and also interested private par­ avid supporter of this project. various opportunities in zoology. parties.

I Qll.14 Agric1iltu1ist How far will your education get you?

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