Winter 2011 Issue
Features
Sea Change
When asked how N.C. State University has made a difference to his family business over the years, Wanchese Fish Co.’s Sam Daniels answers quickly and definitively: “N.C. State has put us on the map globally,” he says. “It’s pretty much changed our company, to get away from the fresh fish business our father started in the 1930s to become an international, value-added company.”
Read Full Story »Happy Campers
Like many university-owned facilities, North Carolina’s five 4-H camps and educational centers suffered from years of deferred maintenance. And though the familiar rustic facilities held fond summer camp memories for generations of 4-H’ers, 4-H youth development leaders knew it was time for an upgrade. In 2007 and 2008, the N.C. General Assembly allocated $11.5 million for renovations and new facilities at the state’s 4-H camps. Summer 2010 marked the first camping season that 4-H’ers were able to utilize many of these new facilities.
Read Full Story »Answering the Call
Jefferson Scholar Michael Atkins Jr. makes volunteerism and community service part of his well-planned future.
Read Full Story »Tropical Crops
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduate students have had the chance to sample the variety of tropical agriculture — from small sugarcane farms to massive banana plantations — through short study tours to Costa Rica for the last three years.
Read Full Story »
College Profile: Sarah Ash
CALS nutrition professor Sarah Ash teaches her students how to deal. Or, rather, DEAL – describe, examine and articulate learning – using the critical reflection model that she and colleagues have developed.
Read Full Story »Noteworthy News
CALS program helps food entrepreneurs get off to a safe and profitable start
When Jenny Fulton and Ashlee Furr lost their stockbroker jobs during the recent recession and decided to turn Fulton’s grandmother’s pickle recipes into a business venture, one of their first stops was with N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Entrepreneur Assistance Program. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs get off the ground and produce food safely and profitably.
NSF grant funds Phytotron renovation
The N.C. State University Phytotron, a collection of climate-controlled chambers that allows scientists to control the conditions under which plants are grown, is about to get a major renovation.
Blankenship named fellow of international horticulture society
Dr. Sylvia Blankenship is the first person from N. C. State University to receive the honor, one of two women and one of four Americans to be elected a Fellow of the International Society of Horticultural Science.
Anastas believes science, technology offer ‘green’ solutions
During the Oct. 4 Borlaug Lecture, Dr. Paul Anastas of the Environmental Protection Agency said innovation is required to help society reduce its dependence on products and processes that rely on toxic substances.
Cooperative Extension helps Currituck ‘go green’ with new garden and improved storm-water ponds
N.C. Cooperative Extension is incorporating environment-protecting practices on the site of its 3-year-old center in Currituck County.
PALS helps students see possibilities
A summer program called PALS provided 20 boys and girls from eastern North Carolina with a taste of higher education and, perhaps, a glimpse of the future.
Animal science student serves as national pre-vet association president
Serving as this year’s national president of the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association, James Tyndall is using his passion for vet med to raise the public’s awareness of good animal care and the benefits of research and its impact on society.
New class graduates from ag leadership program
The College’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program has expanded to include all types of agricultural professionals.
Gene bank conserves potential sources for new crops and new medicines
The mountains of North Carolina are among the most biologically diverse in the United States. A unique new research laboratory and seed bank with ties to College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is helping to conserve that diversity.
First Bone Scholars begin classes
The Bone Scholars program was created by Dale and Genia Bone, who established an endowment that will provide scholarships to migrant farm workers and their families.
Bed bugs target of research, Extension initiatives
Bed bugs are back with a vengeance, and N.C. State University entomologists are looking for solutions to the problem and helping educate the public.
Walden honored for public service
Dr. Michael L. Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of economics at N. C. State University, received the Award for Excellence in Public Service Oct. 8 from the board of Governors of the multi-campus University of North Carolina.
Monaco racks up the ribbons at State Fair
When Dr. Tom Monaco walked through the horticultural exhibit at the 2009 North Carolina State Fair, he thought to himself, “I can grow vegetables just as good as these.” And he did. Monaco, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ part-time commodity relations coordinator, entered produce in 34 categories in the 2010 State Fair and [...]
BAE partners with DOT to grow bioenergy crops on highway rights-of-way
Along the state’s highways, canola crops and sunflowers are being grown for energy.
Project aims to make wine grape growers more competitive
The ground beneath vineyards and what grows there — in addition to grape vines — could play a role in making wine grape growers in North Carolina and elsewhere along the East Coast more competitive and profitable.
Research aids understanding of mercury risks to wildlife and people
A College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduate student’s research is helping pinpoint which fish in which areas of North Carolina pose the greatest risks – and some of her findings are surprising.
Celebrations, special events surround chancellor’s installation
The Oct. 26 installation of Dr. W. Randolph “Randy” Woodson as 14th chancellor of N.C. State University was celebrated over a week of special events at the university.
Zublena named to lead N.C. Cooperative Extension Service
Dr. Joe Zublena has been named associate dean for Extension in N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service effective immediately. Zublena, director of county operations for Cooperative Extension, has served as interim director of the organization since the May 1 retirement of past director Dr. Jon Ort.
Noteworthy Alumni
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.
College honors its 2010-2011 Outstanding Alumni
On Oct. 1, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University held its annual Alumni Awards reception, recognizing 14 graduates as Outstanding Alumni and two as Outstanding Young Alumni. The College also presented its two annual Distinguished Alumni awards to Michael V. deGruy and Dr. Prabhu L. Pingali during the event. Among [...]
Lifetime 4-H’er and former State Leader Dalton Proctor named to National 4-H Hall of Fame
Dalton Proctor Dr. Dalton Proctor, former State 4-H leader in North Carolina, was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in an October ceremony in Chevy Chase, Md. The Hall of Fame honors 4-H volunteers, supporters, staff members and pioneers who have made a significant contribution to 4-H at local, state or national levels. [...]
Noteworthy Giving
Sustainable development professorship fully endowed by Bayer CropScience
In September, Bayer CropScience’s Dr. Nick Hamon presented the final of three gift installments from the company to fully endow the position of Bayer Environmental Science Professor of Sustainable Development in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Crop Science alumna Laura Whatley creates student emergency fund
The Laura Medlen Whatley and Thomas L. Whatley Crop Science Student Emergency Fund will help crop science students who may experience unexpected economic hardship or changes in their financial status.
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.
Hightowers endow awards for graduate students in fisheries and wildlife
The Joseph E. and Robin C. Hightower Graduate Award Endowment in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences was created Oct. 22.
Order of Long Leaf Pine and Distinguished Service Awards given at foundations event
A state legislator, a county commissioner and a retired Extension-director-turned-community-volunteer were honored Nov. 10 during the joint meeting of the North Carolina Agriculture, Dairy and Tobacco foundations at N.C. State University.
2010 CALS Donor Recognition is a special celebration
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ annual donor recognition event at McKimmon Center was especially festive this year.
A cookbook full of memories
When is a cookbook more than just a collection of recipes? When it’s North Carolina’s 4-H Centennial Cookbook: Celebrating 100 Years of Blue Ribbon Recipes.
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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 >>
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