The ISRC held its annual staff retreat in June at the Iowa Arboretum near Madrid, IA. ISRC staff brought newly added co-directors Mark Licht and Steve Whitham and new Industry Advisory Council Chair, Joe McClure, “up to speed” on the center’s upcoming activities. Particular attention was given to planning the ISRC’s Research Day and annual Industry Advisory Council Meeting, scheduled for September 8 and 9, respectively. The group reviewed 16 research ideas submitted by faculty affiliates that will be considered for ISRC funding at the IAC meeting with input from the ISRC’s industry partners and farmer representatives. 

Details were set for the ISRC/ISU Research Day, which was started last year following suggestions from the ISRC’s industry partners. The event was a big hit with the council’s industry partners, farmers and fellow ISU researchers alike. This year’s Research Day will provide IAC members with updates on current ISRC-funded research projects and there also will be a graduate student poster session. At last year’s event, 19 graduate students and research staff presented posters, highlighting ISU’s up-and-coming research talent and a wide range of agricultural research.