As a senior in agriculture and life sciences education and president of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council, Jennifer Elliott says the spectrum of her major varies drastically. 

“When people think of CALS they think of a group of farmers, but it is so much more than that,” Elliott said.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences spends one week every year celebrating all of the college’s departments through various activities. This year’s celebration will begin Monday.

Cameron Jodlowski, junior in agriculture and life sciences education, said the week allows students from other majors to view the life of a CALS student, while Katie Schrodt, junior in agriculture and life sciences education and CALS Week co-chair, acknowledged its celebratory side.

“[CALS Week] is a great opportunity to celebrate the students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,” Schrodt said.

Activities start Monday with Mr. CALS, a male beauty pageant hosted by Sigma Alpha. Guests can bring in canned food for discounted tickets. All proceeds will be donated to Food at First of Ames, a local food pantry and free meal program.

Mr. CALS raised more than $2,000 for charity last year, and this year’s goal is to raise more, Elliott said.

Rising country star Dustin Lynch will bring his show to the Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center on Tuesday.

“I love tearing down after the concert because you can see the team members working together,” Elliott said.

ISU alumnus Danny O’Neill will present his lecture “How Baling Hay Prepared Me to Become the ‘Coffee Bean Barron.’”

O’Neill is the owner of The Roasterie Coffee, Inc., which is sold around campus.

A picture scavenger hunt will take place after the lecture, Schrodt said.

The Block and Bridal Club will package food with volunteers Thursday. 

“Last year, Block and Bridle packaged 60,000 meals. This year, the goal is to package 100,000,” Jodlowski said.

Students can compete in wiffle ball and lawn games on Central Campus Friday.

“I’m excited for wiffle ball because if we’ve made it that far [without any major problems] then you know we are doing good,” said De’Airius Salibi, sophomore in food science and CALS Week co-chair.

Free food will be available on Central Campus in the afternoon Monday through Thursday. A free breakfast will be offered Friday.

Along with the free food, baseball t-shirts will be sold each day on Central Campus, Salibi said.

With all the activities going on throughout the week, Elliott hopes that many different CALS groups will gain new membership.

“CALS Week allows our student organizations to meet new potential members and to show people what the College of Agriculture and Life Science is all about,” Elliott said.