CALS News Center

Team Broccoli: Project seeks East Coast broccoli industry

A North Carolina State University horticulturist is a member of a team of agricultural scientists that has embarked on what may be a decade-long effort to grow a $100 million broccoli industry on the East Coast.

Wilson wins teaching award

Dr. Elizabeth B. Wilson, associate professor of agricultural and extension education in N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, received a 2010 Regional Teaching Award at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities 123rd Annual Meeting in Dallas.

10% Campaign passes $2 million spent for local food

Since July, North Carolinians participating in the 10% Campaign have spent more than $2 million on food from local sources. The 10% Campaign is an effort of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems to educate and encourage consumers to spend 10 percent of their food dollars on locally sourced food.

Sustainable development professorship fully endowed by Bayer CropScience

The endowment is used to support activities of a full professor working in turfgrass management or other areas of innovation in sustainable development in the College.

CALS students attend 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky

When the United States welcomed the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to Kentucky, 45 students from N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were among spectators — thanks to Alltech.

First-of-its-kind book by Horticultural Science faculty members wins national award

Dr. Helen Kraus and Anne Spafford have won the Gold Award for Best Technical Gardening Book, given by the Garden Writers Association for their book ‘Rain Gardening in the South.’

Landscape design students bring bamboo art – and a surfing chicken — to State Fair

The flower and gardens area of the N.C. State Fair is the go-to oasis for fairgoers seeking a break from the crowds, noise and food-based-on-a-dare. It is now also the site of the latest creation of students in Prof. Will Hooker’s small-scale landscape design studio.

Agricultural Institute and Tobacco Trust Fund Commission welcome seven scholars to Agricultural Heritage Legacy Scholarship Program

The Agricultural Institute, the two-year associate’s-degree program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, introduced its first group of Agricultural Heritage Legacy Scholars at a reception October 6. There students met with representatives of the program’s benefactor, the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

Floriculture researchers test pink poinsettias

The late Kay Yow, N.C. State University women’s basketball coach who died in 2009, forever linked N.C. State with breast cancer awareness through her annual Hoops for Hope women’s basketball game. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, N.C. State’s floriculture program has unveiled a new symbol of the fight against breast cancer – pink poinsettias.

Chancellor Woodson, meet CALS

North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson is getting acquainted with North Carolina (the state) and N.C. State (the university). On Aug. 27, he visited the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Anastas believes science, technology offer ‘green’ solutions

Today, most people have biochemical substances in their systems that weren’t even known before 1945, Dr. Paul Anastas of the Environmental Protection Agency told an audience at N.C. State University during the fifth Borlaug Lecture held Oct. 4. Known as the “Father of Green Chemistry,” Anastas told the audience that innovation is required to help society reduce its dependence on products and processes that rely on toxic substances.

Wimberley named 2010 Distinguished Rural Sociologist

Dr. Ronald Wimberley, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of sociology and anthropology at N.C. State University, has been named 2010 Distinguished Rural Sociologist by the Rural Sociological Society. Wimberley received the society’s highest recognition in August at its 73rd annual meeting in Atlanta.

CALS Tailgate 2010 – still the biggest and best!

More than 1,100 CALS alumni and friends celebrated the tradition on Sept. 4, as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences held its 19th annual football tailgate event at Dorton Arena on the state fairgrounds.

School, local officials celebrate partnership to clean up impaired creek

Hoping to inspire changes that result in less rain down the drain, North Carolina State University, the town of Cary and the Black Creek Watershed Association recently dedicated new rain gardens at West Cary Middle School.

N.C. 4-H’ers awarded more than $130,000 in scholarships

Students from across the state have received 4-H scholarships from the North Carolina 4-H Foundation to attend institutions of higher learning. During the recent State 4-H Congress held in Raleigh, the foundation awarded more than $130,000 in 4-H scholarships for this academic year.

Garden show has season premiere on Saturday

“In the Garden with Bryce Lane” returns for its eighth season on WUNC-TV at noon on Saturday Sept. 11. The 30-minute show, hosted by N.C. State University’s Bryce Lane, introduces viewers to the science behind gardening.

Potato famine research exhibit on display at U.S. Botanic Garden

A display featuring the research of Dr. Jean Ristaino is part of the “Spuds Unearthed!” exhibit running at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.

Widely used ‘Textbook of Modern Toxicology’ now in fourth edition

A widely used textbook long associated with toxicology at N.C. State University has recently been published in its fourth edition. A Textbook of Modern Toxicology, released in its newest edition in June, is edited by Dr. Ernest Hodgson, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Esbenshade named Fellow, Odle is award winner at ASAS annual event

Dr. Ken Esbenshade, associate dean and director of Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was among top honorees at the annual meeting of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), held in Denver, Colo., this past July. Esbenshade was named ASAS 2010 Fellow in the administrative category. At the same event, Dr. Jack Odle, William Neal Reynolds Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry in the College, received the ASAS Animal Growth and Development Award.

Two new CALS degree programs have begun: Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Master of Environmental Assessment

The selection of degrees to pursue has increased by two for students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University — a bachelor of science degree in genetics and a master’s degree in environmental assessment. The new degree in genetics will be the first major in genetics in the UNC system. The Master of Environmental Assessment Degree is designed as a completely online degree.

Klaenhammer wins Metchnikoff Prize

Dr. Todd Klaenhammer, Distinguished University Professor and William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of food, bioprocessing and nutrition sciences, was one of three winners of the IDF Elie Metchnikoff Prize 2010.

New technique improves efficiency of biofuel production

Researchers at N.C. State University have developed a more efficient technique for producing biofuels from woody plants that significantly reduces the waste that results from conventional biofuel production techniques. The technique is a significant step toward creating a new commercially viable new source of biofuels.

‘Kannapolis Scholars’ spend summer at N.C. Research Campus

While many people were packing in food and family time during the holiday weekend, six students from universities across North Carolina were busy unpacking at their new home for the summer: the N.C. Research Campus. They are the first crop of “Kannapolis Scholars.”

Researchers find ‘key ingredient’ that regulates termite caste system

A North Carolina State University entomologist has for the first time shown which specific chemicals are used by some termite queens to prevent other termites in the colony from becoming mommies like themselves.

N.C. State increases 2010-11 tuition

N.C. State University will increase tuition by an additional $750 for the 2010-11 academic year to help offset state budget cuts of almost $20 million.

Governor’s announcement expands N.C. Value-Added Cost Share Program

On Aug. 2, Gov. Beverly Perdue announced a package of programs, the Family Farm Innovation Fund, to help North Carolina farmers rebound from the recession.

Teachers work to make research real for students

Two Kannapolis teachers hoping to connect their students with real-world science at its best are spending their summer break at the N.C. Research Campus. Since the spring, they’ve been picking blackberries and raspberries at the Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury, assisting with a national study on watermelon health benefits, and learning in state-of-the-art labs with a horticultural science researcher.

Centennial Campus Middle School students create a floating display at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course

Lily Stell couldn’t wait to get her hands dirty during one of her science classes last May. With other eighth-grade students from Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School, Stell helped to build a “floating island” on the Lonnie Poole Golf Course at N.C. State University. “It was an awesome experience,” she said.

CALS program named outstanding by Association of Leadership Educators

A program in N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences received top honors at the June conference of the Association of Leadership Educators (ALE) in Milwaukee, Wis. The College’s Leadership in Agriculture and Life Sciences program earned the title of Outstanding Leadership Program in ALE.

CALS faculty members honored by NACTA

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty members were prominent among honorees at the 2010 conference of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA), held in June at Penn State University.

Dr. Christopher Daubert is interim head of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences

Dr. Christopher Daubert has been named interim head of the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He succeeds Dr. Donn Ward, who retired June 30.

Carter named South Atlantic Area Scientist of the Year

Dr. Thomas E. “Tommy” Carter is this year’s South Atlantic Area (SAA) Senior Research Scientist of the Year for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Carter is a research geneticist and plant breeder in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Vermiculture Conference attracts participants from around the world

N.C. State University’s Annual Vermiculture Conference, held in Durham in May, attracted more than 110 participants from across the country and from five other countries. The annual conference, aimed at large-scale vermicomposting operations, is the only one of its kind in the country.

CALS experience expands horizons for aspiring medical researcher

As he pursues his dream of helping stop the AIDS epidemic that killed one of his young cousins, New Orleans native Odell Isaac intends to see as much of the world as he can. Twice, his journey has landed him at N.C. State University, where he’s had the chance to meet with some of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ leading scientists and to spend 10 weeks conducting complicated genetic research with one of them.

Bilderback named J.C. Raulston Arboretum director

Dr. Ted Bilderback, a professor of horticultural science at North Carolina State University, has been named director of the university’s J.C. Raulston Arboretum. He has served as interim director since 2009.

N.C. 4-H’ers take action to stop the hidden problem of local hunger

4-H’ers attending State 4-H Congress in mid-July committed to an ambitious goal of collecting 1 million pounds of food for North Carolina’s food banks as part of a campaign called Hungry to Help. Conducted in partnership with the Food Banks of North Carolina, the campaign is designed to promote awareness of hunger in North Carolina and to help stop it.

A berry good experience

Eight teens and tweens wandered beneath and between the branches of blueberry bushes under a sweltering July sun in Moore County’s Cameron community. Some mentioned the careers they’d like to pursue when they grow up: One said a hockey player. Another, an auto mechanic. And yet another, a veterinarian.

Whatever careers they ultimately choose, all of the 4-H’ers were gaining skills that will help prepare them. They were learning what it means to work hard, develop a business plan, put it into action and move on to new strategies when things don’t work out as planned.

Extension works to lower farmworkers’ pesticide exposure

North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s latest tool to help farmers, farmworkers and their families lower their risks of injury, illness and death is a kit of easy-to-use materials to teach pesticide safety to Spanish-speaking agricultural workers with limited formal educations.

Geneticist’s mice studies yield human health solutions

Three different websites carry three different headlines: Eurekalert announces, “New paradigm identifies gene responsible for acetaminophen-induced liver injury.” Futurity.org covers the discovery of a “potent target for stopping colon cancer.” And Scientific American says, “To better study disease, mice that reflect human DNA diversity.” Aside from their focus on human health, what do these headlines have in common?

DeGruy and Pingali honored as CALS Distinguished Alumni

A world-renowned underwater cinematographer and an international leader in agricultural economics are the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Distinguished Alumni for 2010-2011. Michael V. deGruy and Dr. Prabhu L. Pingali have received the award for their outstanding career achievements.

College honors its 2010-2011 Outstanding Alumni

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University recently held its annual Alumni Awards reception, recognizing 14 graduates as Outstanding Alumni and two as Outstanding Young Alumni.

‘Unleash Your Potential’ at CALS Career Expo

Mark your calendars for the 19th annual CALS Career Expo, “Unleash Your Potential,” on Thursday, Oct. 28!

CALS alumna receives Walter B. Jones Sr. Memorial Award for coastal work

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduate Robin Worrell Wienke is one of four North Carolinians who has received the Walter B. Jones Sr. Memorial Award for Excellence in Coastal and Marine Graduate Studies. She was honored by the NOAA for current and expected roles in coastal or ocean management activities.

Hightowers endow awards for graduate students in fisheries and wildlife

The new endowment will support financial awards and educational opportunities for graduate students enrolled in programs jointly administered by CALS, the College of Natural Resources and the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C. State.

2010 CALS Donor Recognition is a special celebration

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ annual donor recognition event was especially festive this year for two reasons. First, it wrapped up a week of activities commemorating the Oct. 26 installation of Dr. Randy Woodson as N.C. State University’s 14th chancellor. Second, the 2010 CALS Donor Recognition took place on Halloween, adding a holiday ambiance to the occasion.

College advances poultry research through $100,000 equipment donation from BRI

BioResource International Inc. (BRI), a North Carolina agricultural biotechnology company, donated to North Carolina State University a new set of state-of-the art battery cages for poultry research. The cages, valued at nearly $100,000, will be used by Department of Poultry Science faculty, staff and students, as well as industry partners, for small-scale research trials on [...]

New CALS scholarship honors Richard Canady and his love for family, friends and agriculture

It’s not typical that an endowment signing draws a standing-room-only crowd, but when word went out that a scholarship was being created in memory of Richard Canady, 2002 graduate of N.C. State University, nearly three score family, friends and colleagues made a point to be there Oct. 1 for the creation of the David “Richard” Canady Scholarship Endowment.

Stockman and teacher Dr. Lemuel Goode honored as new CALS scholarship is created

“He went the extra mile in helping students receive their degrees.”
That was a special recollection about Dr. Lemuel Goode shared by his son, Charles L. Goode, during ceremonies establishing the Lemuel “Lem” Goode and Lucy Goode Animal Science Scholarship Endowment in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Charles Goode, his mother, Lucy Goode, and sister, Dr. Candace Goode Vick, created the endowment to honor Lem Goode, a beloved faculty member in the CALS Department of Animal Science at N.C. State University.

“A friend to all”: Fred Webb honored with creation of Webb/Caldwell Scholarship endowment

In honor of J. Fred Webb Jr.’s life and achievements, the James Fred Webb Jr./John T. Caldwell Alumni Scholarship Endowment was established by his family on July 14. The endowment will provide scholarships for the Alumni Caldwell Fellows Program at N.C. State according to the Webb family’s stipulation that scholarship recipients be currently enrolled as undergraduate students in N.C. State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in a traditional agriculture department.