I’ve always been one to like to explain my biology homework to my mom or to my friends and things like but I didn’t know I could make a career out of that or there were people who did that for a living.

My name is Justin Hills, and I am a sophomore here at N.C. State from Charlotte, North Carolina, And my major is biological sciences with a concentration in human biology. And I’m working on a minor in African studies.

I definitely know that upon graduation I want to attend medical school, and I also want to pursue a career in public health, because I really enjoy some of the work I’ve been doing with Dr. Rob Dunn as a science communicator.

I’ve spent the last academic year working with Dr. Dunn in the Department of Biology with his Bellybutton Biodiversity project and the Wild Life of Your Home projects, where we are asking people to sample common areas around their house so that we can see what lives with them and on them. So that’s always pretty neat asking people to swab their countertops and their pillowcases and stuff like that.

Being in Dr. Dunn’s lab this semester and last semester has sparked the interest in research and being a science communicator, so this summer I actually plan on going to Ghana to study abroad there and do some research university with the University of Alabama (at Birmingham’s) School of Public Health. I will be traveling to Kumasi, Ghana, to work in a teaching hospital there to study liver cancer and to see how different factors in the community there can lead to changes in liver cancer. …

I’m also a University Ambassador, so I give tours. … And then I’m also involved with MAPS here at N.C. State, which is the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students. The main focus of MAPS is to combat health disparities both nationally and internationally.

I’m one of the first in my family to come to a large school like this. One of my worries was getting lost in the mix somewhere. And since day one I haven’t had that problem. I’ve always been able to interact with great professors like Dr. Dunn and all my other teachers here that, one, take an interest in my career goals and then want to help me to reach them, too. So that’s what got me here, and it is the reason why I’m staying.

Hosted by Mike Gray, the show appears at noon on Saturdays and repeats at 11:30 a.m. Sundays. Features for upcoming episodes are as follows:

• May 19: accent plants for shady areas and grafting fruit trees
• May 26: rain water harvesting and saving money when buying perennials
• June 16: residential rain gardens and horticultural websites
• June 23: using vines in the landscape and pruning neglected fruit trees
• June 30: SEEDS DIG Garden and delicious dishes with fresh North Carolina peaches
• July 7: right plant for the right location and water irrigation independence
• July 14: composting for better soil and new ways to prepare fresh tomatoes
• July 21: culinary herbs and putting the finishing touches on a landscape plan
• July 28: planting and enjoying a backyard orchard and cool ways to enjoy North Carolina watermelons
• Aug. 4: seed saving and new blackberry varieties for North Carolina
• Aug. 11: Durham SEEDS community garden and making a good impression with county fair flower show judges
• Aug. 18: Kids gardening at school and growing a variety of backyard fruit trees
• Aug. 25: edible pick-your-own garden at the Durham Farmers Market and protecting backyard streams
• Sept. 1: starting a backyard chicken flock and fixing North Carolina apples

Richard Brooks of Apex recently received the Honorary American FFA Degree during the 58^th annual State FFA Land Judging Career Development Event in Robeson County. The award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment.

A dedicated volunteer with a long history of involvement with FFA and the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Brooks provides technical soil and education services as a soil scientist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Raleigh.

“Richard embodies all that FFA stands for, and he couldn’t be more deserving of this honor,” said Jason Davis, North Carolina FFA coordinator. “As a professional and a volunteer, he has served the organization for years, paving the way for the next generation of agriculturists.”

In 1979, Brooks began his career with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Soil and Water Conservation as a soil scientist. He later became the Raleigh regional soil specialist from 1993-2001.

In 2001, Brooks became a soil data quality specialist with the NRCS in Raleigh. In 2007, he accepted a position as resource soil scientist in the NRCS Area 3 office, and he is currently responsible for conducting wetland determinations and delineations in 20 southeastern counties.

Brooks earned a 1979 bachelor’s degree in soil conservation from the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He has been a member of the Soil Science Society of North Carolina since 1978. He is a past president and has been recognized by the society with the Soil Science Society of North Carolina Achievement Award. Brooks also is a three-term president of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Alumni and Friends Society,

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 523,309 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.

Written by: Suzanne Stanard, 919-513-3126 or suzanne_stanard@ncsu.edu

And that wasn’t the only milestone being marked. This year is the 150^th anniversary of the passage of the Morrill Act which enabled the creation of the nation’s land-grant universities. It is also the annual garden gala’s 20^th anniversary, and later this year the JCRA will host a celebration of the 10^th anniversary of its Ruby C. McSwain Education Center complex.

Terri Leith Photo

A quilt depicting historic North Carolina scenes was a popular item among browsers in the silent auction tents.

Held May 6, the ever-popular event at the JCRA – internationally renowned for its diverse gardens, plant collections and horticultural research and education sites – drew 525 registered guests.

On a comfortably cool spring day, garden enthusiasts browsed among eight silent auction tents which featured eclectic collections, botanicals and “finer things.” Guests were served garden drinks and locally grown gourmet selections, to the accompaniment of live music by the Joy Recorder Ensemble.

As befitting the university’s birthday, red and white were dominant décor colors – from the frothy tablecloths and matching umbrellas to the red lion amaryllises brightening grassy paths to tree-shaded glades.

Terri Leith Photo

Blending well with the colorful surroundings are Dayle Oakley and Sheri Schwab.

In the evening, guests moved to the McSwain Center for coffee and dessert of N.C. State ice cream and cupcakes, followed by a program themed around the 125th anniversary.

Dr. Johnny Wynne, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, welcomed guests and recognized the efforts of the 2012 gala event chair, Charlie Kidder, a landscaping business owner, gardening columnist and longtime JCRA volunteer.

Serving as the gala’s honorary chair was Frank Grainger, member of the UNC Board of Governors and of the N.C. Tobacco and Agricultural Foundations, who was introduced by N.C. State Chancellor Randy Woodson.

Photo by Terri Leith

The Joy Recorder Ensemble played soothing music throughout the day. In the background is the arboretum's newly renovated Lath House, a shelter for rare plants.

Woodson also spoke about the roots of N.C. State and the efforts of the Watauga Club, the group of North Carolina leaders who fought to establish the state’s land-grant institution for higher education in Raleigh. After honoring the university’s past and ongoing transformational impact, Woodson turned his attention to Dean Wynne, who will be retiring this summer after eight years as CALS dean and 50 years of affiliation with N.C. State, as student and faculty member. Listing the many accomplishments of the College during Wynne’s tenure, Woodson said, “Thank you, Johnny, for your dedicated service and leadership.”

Dr. Ted Bilderback, JCRA director, also thanked Wynne and conferred upon him a lifetime membership at the arboretum. He invited the dean to take part in “some terrific volunteer opportunities,” as he presented Wynne a JCRA volunteer “uniform” hat and shirt.

Terri Leith Photo

A guest bids on a hand-made scarf.

By day’s end, there was something else to celebrate: The silent auction had raised more than $31,000, and sponsor gifts totaled $52,000, according to Anne Porter, CALS director of development for the JCRA.

“When the pre-gala plant sale totals are included, I feel very comfortable saying that we reached our net goal of $80,000 this year,” she said. “Of course this event is the arboretum’s main fund-raising event of the year, and the net proceeds support garden development, maintenance and plant collections – plus many staff salaries — all vital to the daily operations of the JCRA and ultimately the enjoyment of our many visitors.”

Those daily operations include the arboretum’s ongoing workshops, symposia, lectures and family programs – and all the things that grow in the place that is “Raleigh’s Garden.” – Terri Leith

Below are more scenes from the gala:

Marc Hall Photo

Dr. Ted Bilderback (right), JCRA director, presents a lifetime arboretum membership to CALS Dean Johnny Wynne.

Marc Hall Photo

N.C. State Chancellor Randy Woodson and Susan Woodson arrive at the JCRA.

Marc Hall Photo

Local gourmet foods were served during the gala.

Marc Hall Photo

Judi Grainger and Charlie Kidder greet guests.

Marc Hall Photo

Enjoying the garden party.

Marc Hall Photo

Among the unique silent auction items: A framed uncut sheet of dollar bills.

Terri Leith Photo

Shopping for botanicals.

Terri Leith Photo

Gathering at the McSwain Education Center.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon will be on hand in Goldsboro Wednesday for the launch of an innovative program designed to get fresh, local produce into city neighborhoods with limited access to fresh food.

The kickoff event will be held May 9 at 12 noon at the City Market in Herman Park on Herman Street in Goldsboro. The event will feature singing by Dillard Academy Charter School’s veggie chorus, cooking demonstrations and special give-a-ways. Other special guests will include Goldsboro officials, community partners and former N.C. Congresswoman Eva Clayton.

Produce Ped’lers, a program initiated by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, will employ eight youths to peddle – literally – bicycle rickshaws with fresh produce to neighborhoods across the city. Like the bicycle ice cream deliveries of yesterday, the Produce Ped’lers hope to become a welcome sign of good things to eat across Goldsboro.

The main goal of the program is to increase access to fresh produce in food desert neighborhoods, said Shorlette Ammons, community-based foods systems outreach coordinator at the CEFS Small Farm Unit in Goldsboro. To make it easier for consumers to purchase produce, the City Market has received permission to accept cards for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly Food Stamps. Ammons’ goal is for the Produce Ped’lers to be able to accept the cards as well.

The Produce Ped’lers program will extend the reach and promote Goldsboro’s two farmers’ markets. The City Market has moved down the street to its new location in Herman Park. It is open Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. ‘til dusk and on first Sundays, 1-4 p.m. The Plum Tree Market, located on George Street, has been in operation for two years now and is open Fridays, 4-7 p.m. The market offer arts and crafts from local artisans, in addition to freshly baked breads, jams, jellies and produce.

At the event Wednesday, Ammons hopes to have a demonstration rickshaw to show. The Produce Ped’lers program will actually get underway in late June or early July, once the infrastructure is in place to accept SNAP payments.

The project is funded by a USDA Farmers’ Market promotion grant. Community partners — including Dillard Academy Charter School, the Wayne County Health Department, the Wayne Food Initiative, the City of Goldsboro, Plum Tree Marketplace and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems — teamed up to launch this pilot program that will also employ young people and train them in farmers’ market management.

For more information about the Produce Ped’lers program, contact Ammons at sammonss@ncat.edu or 919.288.0192. Growers interested in selling at the City Market, should contact Mark Wilson at mwilson@ci.goldsboro.nc.us. For the Plum Tree Market, contact Joanne Lesak at grandpachildren@earthlink.net.

Military youth — children of reserve, guard or active duty members of the U.S. military service — attended the game for free and ran out on the field with Wolfpack team members for the singing of the national anthem. In addition, game day fans had a chance to see a helicopter and a Hummer display provided by the National Guard, try their hand at a climbing wall and see airmen parachute into the Doak Stadium.

N.C. 4-H Youth Development’s Operation: Military Kids (OMK) organized the military youth who participated in the “Run With the Pack” during the opening ceremonies. Seventeen military youth ages 5-17 were selected to run out with the Wolfpack baseball players as the starting line-up was announced. This is the third year that N.C. OMK and N.C. State Athletics have provided military youth a chance to “Run With the Pack.” The baseball event is sponsored by N.C. State’s Army ROTC program.

Earlier in April, Gov. Beverly Perdue proclaimed April as the “Month of the Military Child” in North Carolina, to honor the children of National Guard soldiers and airmen, and those of all members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

North Carolina is home to more than 123,000 active duty, reserve and guard troops, whose families include more than 109,000 military youth through age 18.

(Photo courtesy of Scott Enroughty)

Military youth and their families were treated to a range of activities at N.C. State baseball's celebration of Month of the Military Child.

For more information on 4-H military youth programs, contact J. Scott Enroughty at 919.515.8500 or scott_enroughty@ncsu.edu. Visit the websites at www.nc4h.org/military or www.operationmilitarykids.org.

Honored as faculty initiates from CALS were Dr. K.S.U. (Jay) Jayaratne, assistant professor, Agricultural and Extension Education; Dr. David W.W. Jones, assistant professor, Agricultural and Extension Education; Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton, assistant professor, Crop Science; and Dr. Sheri Schwab, associate director, N.C. Cooperative Extension.

Named 2012 alumni initiate was James H. Howie, a 1979 CALS graduate in biological and agricultural engineering, who is manager of Dairy Development and Organic Sales at Southern Marketing Agency. And CALS honorary initiates were Robert L. Ford, executive director of the North Carolina Poultry Federation, and state Sen. Brent F. Jackson, a Sampson County agribusinessman.

They were recognized during GSD’s annual banquet at the McKimmon Center, along with 19 seniors and graduate students from CALS and the College of Natural Resources, as well as 21 initiates from N.C. State’s College of Veterinary Medicine who were inducted into the honor society.

Becky Kirkland Photo

Dean Wynne was featured speaker at the event honoring academic achievement and contributions to agriculture.

Dr. Johnny Wynne, CALS dean, was featured speaker at the event. His topic was “Global Challenges with Agricultural and Agro-bioscience Solutions: Opportunities for N.C. State.”

The N.C. State University Gamma Sigma Delta chapter began in 1955. The organization’s objectives are the advancement of agriculture in all its phases, the maintenance and improvement of the relations of agriculture and related sciences to other industries, and the recognition of the responsibilities of those engaged in all aspects of agriculture to humankind. — Terri Leith

The Dr. Randy Rose Memorial Garden, part of the Toxicology Building Plaza on Centennial Campus, features four benches with inscribed plaques and new landscape plantings, including crepe myrtles behind each bench, set near a scenic waterfall pool under shade trees. The garden, intended as a tranquil gathering spot for students and faculty, is in front of the building that houses the CALS department where Rose, an internationally renowned toxicologist, taught and conducted research beneficial to human health.

Dr. Randy Rose

His work included studies of the molecular basis of pesticide metabolism and resultant interaction in mammals and insects. Rose, who came to N.C. State in 1988 as a post-doctoral fellow, helped to found the CALS Department of Toxicology, now the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology.

“As time goes on, we dwell less on our loss, and we think of the good times with our friend and colleague Randy Rose,” said Dr. Gerald LeBlanc, head of the department, who welcomed guests and shared his memories of the late 1980s, when he and Rose were both newcomers to the N.C. State faculty. “We relied upon each other and learned from each other, and it was such a valuable experience for me. Randy had an incredible compass. Those of us who knew Randy knew the goodness he had.”

Rose’s former student, Dr. Ed Croom, who also worked in Rose’s lab, recalled him as a scientist, teacher and boss, who “spent a lot of time making courses understandable.”

Terri Leith Photo

Dr. Andrew Wallace spoke about his former colleague.

And Dr. Andrew Wallace, assistant professor of environmental and molecular toxicology, talked about the significance of his colleague’s studies of the toxicology of agricultural chemicals, research critical to farm worker health.

“He was dedicated to his disciplines of toxicology and entomology,” said Wallace, who also spoke about Rose’s many interests, including birds, beekeeping and working with the Boy Scouts. “This memorial represents Randy’s values: The benches, the trees for shade, where people can gather, all speak to Randy’s core values of community.”

LeBlanc acknowledged the work of Julia Storm, agromedicine information specialist in the department, who chaired the memorial committee and led efforts to fund and build the memorial garden. Storm, for her part, thanked landscape project manager Lynn Swank of the university design and construction services office. The garden was made possible by donations from many alumni, friends and members of Toxicology, she said, as well as a grant from Pi Alpha Xi-Iota Chapter, the horticulture honor society.

Terri Leith Photo

Julia Storm (right) presents a memento of the dedication to the Rose family. From left are Rose's daughter, Karen, holding his grandaughter, Addison; his wife, Eileen; and his son Brian.

Storm then presented a gift of framed and inscribed photographs of the garden to Randy Rose’s wife, Eileen Rose, and to two of their five children, Karen and Brian, and baby granddaughter, Addison.

“I’m grateful to have this place to remember Randy and his accomplishments,” said Eileen Rose. Taking the podium, she directed attention to Addison, noting that “she has her grandpa’s eyes.”

Rose then talked about her husband’s youth in Utah, where his father was a 4-H agent. Randy’s interest in beekeeping became useful to his father, who would take the boy along when extension work required collecting and identifying bees. “He stood me up for our first date because he was collecting bees!” she told the audience.

His love for the outdoors inspired his teaching work with the Boy Scouts, in which their four sons were active. “The last conversation we had, he called me from here with a question about our boys’ Eagle Scout project,” she said.

Terri Leith Photo

Eileen Rose shares memories about her husband, as their granddaughter listens.

That project was the building of an elementary school playground, which her sons completed the summer after their father passed away. “Now this garden is a nice and comfortable place to go enjoy the quiet,” she said.

Randy Rose came to N.C. State in 1988 to work with Dr. Ernest Hodgson, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, who also spoke at the dedication. “We should remember we are celebrating Randy’s life and dedicating a memorial to his life,” Hodgson said. “When we lost Randy, his family lost a dedicated father and husband. I lost a very close friend and the ideal collaborator. He understood that toxicology is a science that exists in the public welfare.”

Terri Leith Photo

The inscription on one of the garden benches.

Hodgson then shared lines from Robert Binyon’s “For the Fallen” that he adapted for the occasion: “[He] shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary [him], nor the years condemn./At the going down of the sun and in the morning/We will remember [him].” – Terri Leith

Nnaemeka C. Ikegwuonu, a Rolex Laureate and airways agriculturist, was in Raleigh recently for the opening of the new Nature Research Center. Because of his interest in agriculture, he asked to spend some time at N.C. State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

“I am first interested in meeting folks at College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. Looking at their website, I am fascinated by the work they are doing. My best format here may be a short of presentation to the faculty and students,” Ikegwuonu wrote in accepting the opportunity to participate in the museum opening.

Ikegwuonu stayed in the home of Dr. Bob Usry, Extension specialist and lecturer emeritus in the Department of Agricultural and Resource economics. The day of his visit to N.C. State, Ikegwuonu started by speaking to Dr. Bob Patterson’s World Population and Food Prospects class and answering their questions.

He also met with Interim Assistant Dean of CALS international Programs Dr. John Sabella and CALS communications professionals, participated in a tour and interview at WKNC, N.C. State’s student radio station, and participated in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Nora Haenn and students from Interdisciplinary Studies.

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, yet the 90 million Nigerians who farm have no access to information about agriculture. There are few telephones and no televisions, but everyone has access to a transistor radio that can serve as the voice of agricultural extension.

The 50,000-watt station, which went on the air in 2007, broadcasts lessons on food production and information about agricultural markets. Ikegwuonu also interviews experienced farmers who share their knowledge with other farmers, via radio.

Though farmers can listen in their own homes, communities have organized “Listeners Clubs” where farmers listen together and even interact with the station via cell phone text messages. There are some 3,300 listener clubs, and impact studies conducted in December showed that crop yields for these groups is up by 45 percent and income has risen by 30 percent.

Ikegwuonu’s Smallholders Foundation is also working to encourage youth to become farmers. In a country with an unemployment rate of 23 percent, agriculture can provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and self-employment. The foundation has established youth agriculture clubs in schools, where groups begin their own farming operations and learn to raise high-value fruit trees, crops and livestock.

“We want to create another Green Revolution all across Nigeria and Africa,” Ikegwuonu said.

Natalie Hampton photo

Students in Bob Patterson's World Population and Food Prospects class listen to speaker Nnaemek Ikegwuonu.

Ikegwuonu told of a 13-year-old girl who borrowed the equivalent of $1,200 to start an egg-laying operation with about 50 hens. In the hours before and after school, she has earned $100-$150 per week – and enormous sum for Nigeria. Her father was so impressed that he invested another $1,200 to double the size of her operation.

In addition, the Smallholders Foundation provides micro-loans to older women to invest in their farming operations. The program has a return rate of 100 percent. As in many parts of Africa, women make up about 80 percent of the Nigeria’s farmers.

The Smallholders Foundation has received funding from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, UNESCO, Rolex and the Clinton Foundation, as well as many other organizations.

By providing information for farmers, promoting agriculture as a career for young people and providing micro-loans to farmers, Ikegwuonu hopes that he can help give Nigeria’s smallholder farmers the information and resources they need to improve their lives. In many ways, the organization shares the goals of Cooperative Extension in the United States.

-Natalie Hampton

Dr. Chesney was a North Carolina Cooperative Extension employee for 24 years before joining Tennessee State in 1998. He joined N.C. Cooperative Extension in 1974, serving first as a 4-H and natural resources specialist with what was then the N.C. Agricultural Extension Program at North Carolina A&T State University. When he left North Carolina, Dr. Chesney was a district director with what was then the N.C. Agricultural Extension Service at N.C. State University.

Dr. Chesney served as administrator of the Cooperative Extension Program at Tennessee State from 1998 until July 2008, while from 2008 until his retirement in August 2009, he was interim associate dean for extension in the Tennessee State School of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

He held bachelor’s and master’s degrees from N.C. State along with a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. In 1969, Dr. Chesney became the first African-American student to start for the N.C. State football team. He was a football “walk on” who earned a scholarship and lettered in 1970, 1971 and 1972. In 1971, he was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Academic Football Team. He was salutatorian of E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, class of 1967, and a member of the E.E. Smith Alumni Association.

Dr. Chesney served a deacon of Temple Church in Nashville and was a former deacon of Martin Street Baptist Church in Raleigh. He was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Anita Miller Chesney; two sons, Clyde Jr. and Charles; a daughter, Camille Pitts; grandchildren, Quinton, Jajuane, Jamisha and Benjamin; his mother, Irene Minter, Fayetteville; four brothers, Charles, John, Michael and Joseph; four sisters, Sherri Minter, Lilly Minter, Fanette McDuffie and Darlene Murphy; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A family visitation was scheduled Monday, April 23, at Temple Church in Nashville, with funeral to follow. Interment is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, 10 a.m., at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Temple Church Endowment Fund (3810 Kings Lane, Nashville, TN) and/or the N.C. 4H Foundation are requested. Lewis and Wright Funeral Directors, Nashville, is in charge of arrangements.