Spring 2011 Issue
Features
Southeast Extension professionals experience Latino immersion in North Carolina
No international borders were crossed, but a recent journey across cultures was an eye-opening and life-changing experience for a group of Extension professionals. A spirit of “bienvenidos” permeated the week, as North Carolina’s Latino community welcomed Extension participants from five southern states for a new professional development program.
Read Full Story »Panelists talk sustainable agriculture at Ag Awareness Week Forum
The second season of the Commissioner’s Speaker Series began March 23, as a panel of agribusiness leaders joined Steve Troxler, state agriculture commissioner, at N.C. State University to talk about local and sustainable agriculture.
Read Full Story »Noteworthy News
FCS inducts 25 into McKimmon Hall of Fame
During the centennial celebration events for Family & Consumer Sciences, which took place May 25 at the Jane S. McKimmon Center on the N.C. State campus, 25 inaugural members into the Jane S. McKimmon Hall of Fame.
Grad student designs landscapes with both human and environmental health in mind
Brantley Snipes designed a suburban retrofit to promote walkability and other outdoor activities that provide mental and physical health attributes to the community.
Glen explores impacts of Extension’s ‘gardens of learning’
Research on Extension gardens culminates in a project presented at N.C. State’s Graduate Student Research Symposium.
Library exhibit tells the story of 4-H
As North Carolina 4-H winds down its centennial celebration, an exhibit at N.C. State’s D.H. Hill Library teaches visitors about the links between N.C. State and 4-H, while showing how today’s 4-H continues the traditions of service through head, heart, hands and health.
Bamboo ‘roller-coaster’ bistro is shaped for relaxation on campus
Students from Will Hooker’s Landscape Design studio have built a new bamboo sculpture in front of Kilgore Hall.
Eric Miller named Microbiology Department head
Dr. Eric Miller, a long-time College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty member, has been named to head the Department of Microbiology.
Beloved educator, administrator, author George Barthalmus has passed away
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Johnny Wynne has informed the CALS faculty, staff and friends that Dr. George Barthalmus passed away. A celebration of his life was held May 15 in Raleigh.
Remembering Dr. B.
Dr. George T. Barthalmus, director of the university’s Office of Undergraduate Research, Professor Emeritus of Zoology and former CALS associate dean and director of Academic Programs, has passed away.
CALS lab is learning experience, but . . .
Credit Dr. Julie Grossman with creating a degree of uncertainty in Malik Oliver’s plans for the future, of adding the word “but” to the high school senior’s vocabulary.
The problem with North Carolina . . . and turfgrass
North Carolina is not the best place in the world to establish a luxuriant lawn, or to cover a football field or golf course with turf, and therein lies Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis’ challenge.
Innovative civics program earns state award
A North Carolina 4-H program in Cabarrus County was one of nine programs recently honored by the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. Earlier, the Cabarrus 4-H Citizenship Focus program earned 4-H agent Heather Jones the N.C. Center for Voter Education’s Outstanding Citizen Award for 2011.
Chandler Walker: Biomedical researcher in the making
One of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ top students, Chandler Walker, says N.C. State University has taught her how to be a scientist and put her on the path toward a biomedical research career.
Gould, Atchley to receive 2010-2011 Holladay Medal
Given in recognition of an outstanding career at N.C. State University, the Holladay Medal is the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member by the trustees and the university.
Melton, Schwab tapped for Extension posts
Dr. Tom Melton and Sheri Schwab have been named North Carolina Cooperative Extension associate directors, effective Monday April 18.
CALS students launch Life Sciences Awareness Day
On April 13, groups of College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students gathered to offer fact-filled presentations about their various life sciences curricula, in displays set up on the N.C. State University Brickyard.
Foegeding honored with Haines dairy award
Dr. Allen Foegeding, William Neal Reynolds Professor of food, bioprocessing and nutrition sciences, has been honored with the 2011 William C. Haines Dairy Science Award.
‘Almanac Gardener’ enters 28th season
Whether you’d like to cultivate a window box of flowers, a backyard patch of vegetables or an acre full of healthy grasses, join Almanac Gardener’s Mike Gray as he and his fellow Cooperative Extension experts take viewers through the finer points of garden planning, maintenance and blooming innovation.
Jon Ort, former CALS associate dean and Extension director, has passed away
Dr. Jon F. Ort died suddenly April 4 at his home in New Hill. Ort, 63, retired from N.C. State University in 2010 as associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
CALS Poultry Science, Richmond Community College partner in 2+2 program
The Department of Poultry Science and Richmond Community College have signed an agreement that allows specific RCC associate in science degree graduates admission as juniors into the NCSU poultry science program.
CALS PreVet students bring good news from annual symposia
Not only were CALS students among the outstanding participants at the American PreVet Medical Association Annual Symposia, but N.C. State University was selected to host the event next year.
CALS animal science grad students shine at Midwestern competition
Yan Zhao, Alexandra Chaytor and Jocelyn Bishop were winners in the graduate competition at the Midwestern meeting of the American Society of Animal Science.
Wolfpack rifle team and 4-H shooting sports leader competes at national event
Martha Hall was be one of approximately 70 competitors at the recent 18th annual National Junior Olympic 3-position Small Bore Rifle Competition.
Wake Up! It’s Spring! children’s program launched at JCRA
JC Raulston Arboretum’s “Wake Up! It’s Spring!” new family program sprang to life March 26.
Jaykus participates in U.S. food safety programs study
Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences professor Dr. Lee-Ann Jaykus was a member of a committee reviewing the Food and Drug Administration’s role in ensuring safe food.
Mobile agriculture classroom visits North Carolina schools
The North Carolina FFA Foundation joins partners to bring a classroom-on-wheels program called Seed Survivor that teaches children the mechanics and the value of growing plants.
Farm Animal Days attracts largest crowd ever
The college’s annual Farm Animal Days event drew a record crowd of 10,962 during its three-day run in March. There are animals galore – including chicks, sheep and rabbits to pet – as well as roping demonstrations, tractors to climb on and complimentary cups of N.C. State’s signature “Howling Cow” ice cream.
Guadalupe Arce-Jiminez: CALS scholar and activist
Freshman biological sciences major Guadalupe Arce-Jiminez, originally from Mexico, is among CALS’ first class of Dale and Genia Bone Scholars. The scholarship goes to selected farmworkers or their dependents.
Louws to direct Center for Integrated Pest Management
Dr. Frank Louws has been named director of N.C. State University’s Center for Integrated Pest Management. Louws is a professor of plant pathology and has been a faculty member at N.C. State since 1996. He earned a doctorate from Michigan State University, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Guelph in Canada.
Yelverton named ‘Most Influential’
Dr. Fred Yelverton, professor of crop science and North Carolina Cooperative Extension specialist, has been named one of the 20 Most Influential People in the Green Industry for 2010.
Company provides equipment at Lake Wheeler Road
The Kioti Tractor Division of South Korean equipment manufacturer Daedong-USA Inc. provides much-needed equipment at the Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory.
New graduate program in Family Life and Youth Development serves high-demand market
As of fall 2010, courses have begun in a new graduate program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University. The new program offers two distance-based graduate study paths leading to master’s degrees in Family Life and Youth Development.
Atchley awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine
One of the the most prestigious awards granted by the governor of North Carolina, the order is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state.
Sullivan, Threadgill are AAAS Fellows
Two faculty members in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University have been elected Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Stewart accepted for the A-P-L-U national Food Systems Leadership Institute
The FSLI enhances personal and professional development by emphasizing leadership competencies, skills for organizational change and a broad, interdisciplinary perspective of food systems.
USDA Deputy Secretary praises 10% Campaign
U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan told audiences at N.C. State and N.C. A&T State universities during a Feb. 9 visit that she came to North Carolina because the Center for Environmental Farming Systems’ commitment to promoting local food economies.
Ag-Bash benefits RAFI-USA
Alpha Gamma Rho, the agriculture fraternity at N.C. State University, raised $500 for the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) with its first Ag-Bash.
‘In the Garden’ wins regional EMMY®
The N.C. State University-produced show In the Garden with Bryce Lane has won a regional EMMY® Award. The production team received the award in Nashville, Tenn., at the 25th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy® Awards.
Eaglecam eyes eagles
Two bald eagles are raising two chicks in a nest above Jordan Lake near Raleigh under the watchful eye of a webcam.
CEFS will host USDA deputy secretary
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems will host lectures by Dr. Kathleen A. Merrigan, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Feb. 9 at N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University.
Low-impact development project wins state award
A N.C. Cooperative Extension-led educational project on development practices to protect water quality recently won a top award from the N.C. Chapter of the American Planning Association.
New garden book available
Eleven years ago, North Carolina Cooperative Extension launched the newsletter Extension’s Successful Gardener to address the high demand for gardening information across the state. Founding editor Leah Chester-Davis has joined with team member, Extension agent and acclaimed garden-book author Toby Bost to produce a book with some of the newsletter’s best material.
Noteworthy Alumni
2011 GSD initiation event honors academic and agricultural leadership
On April 13, the N.C. State University chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta (GSD), the Honor Society of Agriculture, recognized and honored academic achievement and contributions to agriculture by faculty, students, staff and alumni of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, as well as of the colleges of Natural Resources and Veterinary Medicine.
Safrit receives Meritorious Service Award
The National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) has honored Dr. R. Dale Safrit of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, N.C. State University.
CALS alumnus appointed to the Society of Fellows at Harvard University
Julien Ayroles, a recent Ph.D. graduate from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Department of Genetics, will investigate one of the most fundamental goals in modern biology — to understand the relationship between genotypic and phenotypic variation.
Blalock receives 2011 Watauga Medal
Dr. T. Carlton Blalock, former state Extension Service director and alumnus of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is one of three 2011 recipients of the prestigious Watauga Medal, N.C. State University’s highest nonacademic honor.
Noteworthy Giving
Carlson Endowment created to fund annual award for outstanding ARE dissertation
The Barbara E. and Gerald A. Carlson Endowment — to fund the annual Gerald A. Carlson Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation Award in Agricultural and Resource Economics — was established in ceremonies April 29.
N.C. State gets boost for cabbage research
Using an extensive cabbage germplasm collection given to N.C. State University by Monsanto Co., scientists expect to develop new and improved varieties to increase demand for cabbage and expand production in North Carolina.
Resource Development Awards presented, new endowments celebrated at 2011 joint foundations spring event
The awards, sponsored each year by the N.C. Agricultural Foundation Inc., recognized CALS faculty and student organizations for efforts in raising funds to benefit College programs, as well as volunteer, corporate/foundation and commodity organization support activities.
Clark and Proctor honored at 4-H Lifetime Achievement event
The annual fund-raising event honors the lifetime achievements of former 4-H members, families and supporters.
Sharon Runion Rowland honored by N.C. bankers
Sharon Runion-Rowland, executive director of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Foundation, has received the Gordon P. Allen Award for Public Service in recognition of her outstanding service to those in need, her ongoing support of her community and her dedication to all mankind.
N.C. Vegetation Management Association increases its scholarship endowment
The North Carolina Vegetation Management Association (NCVMA) has doubled its scholarship endowment in the N.C. Agricultural Foundation Inc. to provide annual merit-based scholarships.
News & Info Sites
More Info
Making A Difference
North Carolina’s economy and quality of life are linked inextricably with natural resources — the air, land and water upon which we all depend. To help protect the environment today and into the future, CALS faculty members have wide-ranging expertise they put to use through teaching, research and extension programs. Read More >>
Social Media