In an effort to bring science and the outdoors to people who are isolated at home and E-learning, Sara McMillan, Dani Winter, and Mandy Limiac have started sharing Virtual Field Trips, showcasing the kind of work the McMillan lab does. First a trip to Celery Bog Nature Center to discuss wetlands and their soils, plants, birds and biogeochemistry, then a trip to Todd’s Creek in Horticulture Park to discuss stream remediation, design, and channel features, with hopefully more trips to come! The videos have all been shared on social media and if you would like to see them, a youtube channel has been started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3M7296qE-_maWu76D0iWxg

We hosted our most-recent Versiti blood drive on Wednesday, March 25, getting in just before campus was closed. Despite the challenges, we had 13 donors show up and roll up to help us Boiler Up! Eleven donations was below our typical drive, but that's 33 patients who can be helped. Thanks for doing your part.

Congratulations to Mohamed Aboelnour for his successful PhD dissertation defense: "Assessment of Land Use Urbanization Impacts on Surface Temperature and Hydrology." Special thanks to his committee: (l to r) Marty Frisbee, Margaret Gitau, Bernie Engel, Mohamed, and Dennis Flanagan. Mo is also grateful for the support and encouragement of his friends and colleagues.

Ethan Hillman was featured in the Grad Student Spotlight this week. Way to go, Ethan! 

Congratulations to Casey Hooker of the Solomon Lab! He has been rewarded an NSF fellowship!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National AgrAbility Project had to postpone its National Training Workshop, our annual conference and largest event. There was also concern that because of the hotel contract and other financial obligations, we might lose a substantial amount of money. However, in less than a week, our subcontractors at Goodwill of the Finger Lakes (who are the main conference planners) were able to reschedule the event for November at the same hotel. It appears that there will be little-to-no financial loss due to the rescheduling. This one qualifies as good news, too!

Join us LIVE on Facebook as we host the Student Soybean Innovation Competition Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 21^st (7:00pm – 8:00pm ET) as 12 students teams pitch innovative soy-based products.

Join us for a look at the newest student innovations that offer the potential to shape the future of agriculture!

The interactive awards ceremony will include:

• Insights about the Indiana Soybean Alliance & Purdue Student Soybean Innovation Competition by Dr. Nathan Mosier, Head of the Department of ABE & ISA Endowed Chair
• Innovative pitches by this year’s 12 teams
• A chance for YOU to vote on the team and most innovative product worthy of the People’s Choice Award beginning on April 14^th at 11am ET.  A reminder will go out on April 14^th when the link goes live.
• A chance for you to provide virtual input to the finalists
• The event will culminate with the announcement of the Grand Prize Winners (First, Second and Third Place) and the People’s Choice Winner

Facebook Live Event Details:

*To participate in the Facebook live event ‘like’ and ‘follow’ the Indiana Soybean Alliance Facebook Page HERE.  An ISA Facebook registration link for the awards ceremony will be available and sent out on April 14^th.

For those unavailable to participate in the Facebook live event there will be a recording of the entire event available on Indiana Soybean Alliance’s YouTube Page on April 22^nd.

We look forward to your VIRTUAL participation on Tuesday, April 21^st (7:00pm – 8:00pm ET)!