Departmental Newsletter, Fall 2003
- NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEAD
- by Julia Kornegay
 It
is hard to imagine that 30 years ago I was a new undergraduate
in the Department of Horticultural Science! One of
the enduring traditions and strengths of the department
is the collegial esprit de corps among the faculty,
staff and students, and its commitment to understanding
and responding to the horticultural needs of North
Carolina and beyond, while advancing knowledge of
plants and plant-based systems. It was a great department
then and is even better today.- Over the next couple of months, I hope to visit
all the research stations where we
have staff and programs, and meet with many of the
commodity and industry groups. We are also in the
midst of a strategic planning exercise
to describe and prioritize the major initiatives of
the department over the next two years as part of
the NC State 2003/04 Compact Plan.
- There are a number of significant challenges
and opportunities facing the university and
the horticulture department that we will need to address
during the coming year. The continuing decline in
state funding has affected many of our programs, forcing
us to reduce, and even phase out, some of our traditional
activities. At the same time, new opportunities in
horticultural research, teaching, and extension are
developing, along with new sources of funding. These
opportunities will allow us to carry out basic research
to understand how plants function, extend our teaching
and graduate training capacity, develop more efficient
and productive horticultural production practices,
and protect the natural environment through the development
of innovative stewardship practices.
- I greatly appreciate the support I have received
from everyone since I arrived. Tom Monaco
left a well organized and productive department when
he retired as head, and Sylvia Blankenship
has done an excellent job running the department in
the interim, and I value her advice. I look forward
to working closely with the faculty, staff, students,
and the broader horticulture community to strengthen
the department's role as a world leader in horticulture
science.
- DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHT
- by Sylvia Blankenship
- Dr. Julia Kornegay is the new Head
of the Department of Horticultural Science at North
Carolina State University. She has overall responsibility
for the leadership and administration of the department's
teaching, research, and extension activities. Dr.
Kornegay has a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Biometry
(1985) from Cornell University, and a M.S. in Plant
Pathology (1979) and B.S. in Horticulture Science
(1976), both from North Carolina State University.
- Prior to coming to NCSU, Dr. Kornegay served as
Director of Research (1997-1999) and Director (1999-2003)
of Fairchild Tropical Garden, one
of the worlds premier tropical botanical gardens with
international research, horticulture and education
programs in palm biology, molecular plant systematics,
tropical fruit crops, endangered species conservation,
and graduate studies. Dr. Kornegay was responsible
for the administration and overall strategic development
of the Garden. During her tenure, the Gardens programmatic
activities and budget increased over 30 percent, primarily
through new grants, contracts, and increased contributions.
- From 1985 to 1997, Dr. Kornegay was employed by
the International Center for Tropical Agriculture
(CIAT) in Cali, Colombia as a Senior Plant Breeder-Geneticist
and as Leader of the Bean Program (1993-1997). She
was responsible for an international team of scientists
based in six countries in Latin America and Africa.
The overall activities of the Bean Program included
the genetic improvement of common bean using conventional
and molecular approaches; characterization of the
world's Phaseolus germplasm collection; development
of sustainable agricultural practices for farmers
and communities through integrated crop management
research; professional training for national scientists;
and the development and support of four regional research
networks in Latin America and Africa. In 1996, she
was formally recognized by the governments of Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia for her work in increasing
bean production and research capacity in the Andean
Region. She also spearheaded the Seeds of Hope program
in Africa in 1994 to help Rwanda recover its native
food crop germplasm after the end of the civil war.
Over 15 cultivars from her breeding program have been
released in eight countries in Latin America and Africa.
- Dr. Kornegay has published widely
in international scientific journals, books, and conference
proceedings, and she wrote a featured column in the
Garden Views, Fairchild Tropical Garden's quarterly
magazine.
- PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
- FACULTY NEWS
- by Sylvia Blankenship
- The N.C. Specialty Crops Program and the Western
North Carolina Farmers' Market sponsored a heirloom
tomato taste test at the Farmers' Market
in Asheville on August 22. Under the direction of
the new NCDA&CS marketing specialist, Stephanie
Wise, and Jeanine Davis,
hundreds of people sampled dozens of unusual heirloom
tomatoes. Some of the favorites of this patient crowd
(some waited in line 20 minutes or more) included
'German Red Strawberry', 'Green Zebra', 'Noir de Crimee',
and 'Cherokee Purple'. Results of this taste test,
and others planned for later in the season, will be
used to help advise growers on which cultivars to
produce for local sales.
- The N.C. Specialty Crops Program sponsored a Heirloom
Tomato Workshop at the Mountain Research
Station in Waynesville on August 28th. Based on the
results of marketing surveys conducted last year (see
at http:/ncspecialtycrops.org) 21 heirloom tomato
cultivars were produced to determine which ones performed
the best in the field and which ones consumers preferred.
Chip Hope, owner of Appalachian Seeds in Flat Rock,
NC, shared his incredible knowledge of heirloom tomatoes
with an audience of about forty people. Jeanine
Davis presented a program on cultural practices
for heirloom tomatoes that included instructions on
using a high-trellised system. Stephanie Wise,
the new NCDA&CS marketing specialist working with
the Specialty Crops Program, described the taste tests
and marketing studies being done in support of the
field research. A wonderful lunch featuring heirloom
tomatoes was catered by a local restaurant.
- The N.C. Consortium on Natural Medicinal Products
and the N.C. Specialty Crops Program are conducting
two training sessions on the production and
marketing of medicinal herbs in North Carolina.
The Consortium is a multi-agency program led by the
Jack Longenecker of the (former) UNC-Institute of
Nutrition and Jeanine Davis, and
is funded by the GoldenLEAF Foundation. Over the past
two years, the Consortium has worked to develop the
medicinal herb industry by hosting a Summit to educate
major stakeholders about the economic potential of
medicinal herbs, conducting extensive market research,
supporting a graduate student in our department, cooperating
with the Specialty Crops Program on field research,
creating production budgets and a growers and buyers
directory, and developing a website. Two 2-day training
sessions will be held: September 9-10 in Fletcher
(will include a visit to Gaia Herbs, Inc. in Brevard),
and September 17-18 in Plymouth (will include a visit
to Avoca in Merry Hill). Sixty-five county extension
agents, marketing specialists, technicians, and growers
have signed up for the training.
- Paul Nelson will be inducted as
a Fellow of ASHS at the meeting in Providence, RI
next month. Paul also presented a lecture at the Oregon
Association of Nurserymen's FarWest Show in Portland,
Oregon in August.
- Frank Blazich traveled to Bolivia,
N.C. and presented two lectures on plant propagation
to the Master Gardeners of Brunswick County. The first
lecture in the morning was an overview of propagation
during which Frank explained the various techniques
by which plants are propagated. The second presentation
in the afternoon consisted of a workshop dealing with
propagating woody plants by stem cuttings.
- Southeast Vegetable and Fruit Expo
is moving to Greenville, NC this year and will be
held Dec. 2-4. The headline speakers: SIeglinda Snapp,
Horticulture, Michigan State University, expert in
cover crops and sustainable systems. Gary Sweet, Cleveland,
Ohio, sweetcorn grower, markets sweetcorn for $7.00/dozen
Representatives of Wal-Mart and Del Monte Fresh Cut
will discuss marketing opportunities for NC growers
See NC vegetable growers web site for more information
http://www.ncvga.com/
- Horticultural Science current and former members
are winning awards: "Efficacy of the Press Extraction
Method for Bedding Plant Plug Nutrient Monitoring"
[Scoggins, H.L., D.A. Bailey, and P.V. Nelson,
2002, HortScience 37(1):108-111] has been selected
as the ASHS Outstanding Ornamentals Publication for
2003. The paper was selected from all papers published
in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural
Science, HortScience, and HortTechnology published
during 2002.
- Ted Bilderback spoke at the New
Jersey Nursery Nutrient and Water Management workshop.
- Mary Peet flew to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
Canada, home of the Saskatoon berry, last June to
serve as external examiner for a Ph.D. candidate who
had written a thesis on the topic 'High Temperature
Stress and Flowering in Brassica napus L.' She also
presented a seminar on her research and enjoyed touring
scenic and friendly downtown Saskatoon.
- Katie
Perry, professor and associate dean for administration
in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
at North Carolina State University, has been named
senior vice provost for the Office of Academic Affairs.
Prior to serving as associate dean, Perry served as
assistant dean for administration in CALS from 1998
to 2003, and as department extension leader in the
Department of Horticultural Science from 1992 to 1998.
She was named a professor of horticultural science
for the department in 1992. She first joined CALS
as an extension specialist in 1980 and served as assistant
professor and associate professor before being promoted
to full professor. She received bachelor’s,
master’s and doctoral degrees from Pennsylvania
State University, earning her Ph.D. in horticulture
in 1979.
- Dennis Osborne has been involved
over the summer in work revising the NC Public Schools
science curriculum for grades K-6. The proposed curricula
for these grade levels is now available on DPI's website
at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/science/index.html
Dennis is one of the scientists in The Teacher Link
Program (TLP), a major initiative of the BWF-funded
North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Education Center (SMT Center), launched last year.
The program evolved through an SMT Center partnership
with the Duke University Center for Inquiry Based
Learning and Sigma Xi and is supported in part by
a $5.3 million National Science Foundation Mathematics
Science Partnership grant awarded to Duke University's
Teachers and Scientists Collaborating (TASC) project.
Dennis invites the opinions of other interested scientists.
- STAFF NEWS
- by Barb Amos
- Scott Derby and his wife are the
proud parents of a new baby girl: Isabelle Grace Derby
(9 lb, 7 oz, 22", 5:04 am August 3, 2003).
- Welcome to Faye Koonce, a new staff
member for the JCRA! Faye comes to us from CALS Academic
Programs will be our front desk receptionist.
- Jennie Ferrell has a new grandson:
Seth Graham Ryals (born September 11; 9 lb, 1 oz and
21 1/2" long) to Jennie's daughter and son-in-law,
Michelle and Raymond. Congratulations!
- We are sad to say good-bye to: Janice Guziejka
of the bookkeeping office. Janice left the department
to return to school this summer. Megan Gardner,
technician with Randy Gardner, has also returned to
school. Best of luck to them in their endeavors.
- UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
- by Bryce Lane
- The fall semester is off to a wonderful start. Our
undergraduate 4-year enrollment is
down a bit from last year at this time running at
about 200 students. This is due to a smaller freshmen
class and less transfer students. However, our overall
class enrollment is at capacity due to the high level
of interest in horticulture at the introductory and
basic level. The OLT curriculum in the 2-year program
is up from last year with a larger group of freshmen
coming in.
- The student Horticulture Club got
off to a great start on September 8 with their annual
picnic. We had over 100 people at the picnic for hamburgers
and hot dogs. Special thanks to those faculty who
attended and welcomed our students back.
- Keep an eye on the special senior project being
done with the turf in front of Kilgore. Jack Templeton
is using turf as an ornamental feature
by combining the existing zoysia with fescue. You
can read all about the project on a poster in the
east end foyer.
- Meetings for ALCA team 14 have
started. This year's competition is scheduled for
late March at Columbus State University in Columbus
Ohio. Last year the team placed 2nd and the new team
that is forming is already excited about organizing
and preparing for this year!
- GRADUATE PROGRAMS
- by Dennis Werner and Richard Olsen
- New graduate students
- Eight new students started
their graduate programs in our Department this
fall semester. This great group of students represents
a wonderful diversity of academic and cultural
backgrounds, and professional experiences. We
welcome all of the new students to the department,
and wish them the best in their graduate program
here at NCSU.
- Trevor Chlanda was born in
Amherst, Massachusetts. He received his BS from
Cornell University majoring in Plant Sciences.
Before attending Cornell, Trevor received a scholarship
from a group called the Cornell Tradition. This
organization is based around three principles
– a strong work ethic, public service and
academic achievement. Requirements for this award
included performing at least 250 hours of paid
work during the academic year and an additional
75 hours of community service within the outside
community or on the campus. To maintain this commitment
Trevor acquired jobs as a lab assistant working
with peppers and cucurbits, blight in tomato,
and designing resistance markers for Phytophthora
in pepper. Trevor will be working on his MS degree
with Dr. Craig Yencho.
- Melisa Crane was born in El
Paso, Texas. She received her BS from Utah State
University majoring in Horticultural Science with
a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife. From January
2001 until just recently Melisa was an agricultural
extension volunteer with the Peace Corps in Tarija,
Bolivia. Before that she was a lab technician
at Utah State University, a horticultural assistant
and greenhouse assistant. Melisa will be working
on her MS with Dr. Todd Wehner.
- Aliya Donnell was born in Jacksonville,
Florida and currently lives in Greensboro, North
Carolina. She received her BS from Florida A&M
University majoring in Ornamental Horticulture.
Specific job experiences have included an internship
at The American Horticultural Society at George
Washington's River Farm in Alexandria, VA, a lab
assistant at the Center for Biological Control
at Florida A&M University and a research intern
at Colorado State University. She is the first
recipient of the Thomas J. and Virginia S. Monaco
Horticultural Science Graduate Fellowship Endowment
for Diversity. Aliya will be working on her MS
with Dr. John Dole.
- Michelle McGinnis was born
in Prince Georges County, Maryland. She received
her BS from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
majoring in Environmental Health. She then proceeded
to receive her MSPH at UNC-Chapel Hill majoring
in Environmental Science. Her professional experiences
include lab technician in the Dept. of Entomology
at NCSU, grower for Sweetwater Gardens, interior
plant technician at Rentokil Environmental Services,
office manager/controller at Hammerhead Woodworks,
Inc., project/operations manager at SEI Environmental,
Inc. (formerly SPATCO) and project manager/staff
scientist at SPATCO Environmental, Inc. Michelle
will be working on her PhD with Dr. Stu Warren
and Dr. Ted Bilderback focusing on applied environmental
science research as it relates to the nursery
industry.
- Monica SantaMaria was born
in Lima, Peru. She received her BS from La Molina
National Agrarian University (UNALM) majoring
in Biology. Her work experience includes a research
fellowship at CIP in the Biotech Unit, laboratory
assistant in the Bio-remediation Laboratory at
UNALM and research assistant at the Peruvian Association
for Conservation of Nature (APECO). She received
a Fulbright Fellowship for 2003-2004. Monica will
be working on her PhD with Dr. Bryon Sosinski
and Dr. Craig Yencho focusing on plant genomics.
- Lynn Swank was born in Cleveland,
Ohio. She received her BS from Ohio University
majoring in Environmental Botany. She minored
in Geography and received an Environmental Studies
Certificate. She currently works as a grounds
supervisor at NCSU where she manages the landscape
specialty crews on campus. She was also a senior
landscape supervisor for Duke University as well
as a horticulturist for the Cincinnati Zoo and
Botanical Gardens. Lynn will be working on her
MHS with Dr. Dennis Werner focusing on public
horticulture.
- Beth Sykes was born in Richmond,
Virginia. She was a Jefferson Scholar at NCSU
and received her BS majoring in Biological Sciences.
She also received her BA from NCSU majoring in
Spanish Language and Literature. While a student
in biological sciences, she worked as a student
assistant in the Dept. of Plant Pathology. She
also spent a summer as an intern at the University
of Georgia Marine Institute on Sapelo Island.
As a student of Spanish, she had the opportunity
to spend a semester at the University of Costa
Rica taking a general ecology class. She also
completed summer programs in both Mexico and Peru.
Before pursuing graduate school, Beth was an administrative
assistant in a Migrant Head Start program. Later
she transitioned to the position of Center Director
and accepted the responsibility of running a Migrant
Head Start Center in Johnston County, NC. Beth
will be working on her MS with Dr. Mary Peet focusing
on plant physiology.
- Leslie Titchner was born in
Carbondale, Illinois. She received her BA from
Rice University in Houston, TX majoring in Biology.
After graduation she left Houston for Westfield,
VT, home of Berry Creek Farm – an organic
strawberry and vegetable farm in the northeast
part of the state. After leaving the farm she
moved to Raleigh and pursued the pharmaceutical
job market, but her heart was not in it. As Leslie
said, "It [her heart] is in fields and on
farms, in studying ecosystems and applying the
knowledge gained therein to agriculture, in teaching
others about stewardship and helping them farm
with future generations in mind." Leslie
will be working on her MS with Dr. Nancy Creamer
focusing on sustainable agriculture.
- Graduate student awards
- Horticultural Science graduate students have
been actively participating in professional meetings
this past summer. We appreciate the efforts of
all graduate students who have represented the
department so well at professional meetings this
past summer. The following students received special
recognition for their presentations at various
meetings this summer. Congratulations to them
all.
- Southern Nurserymen's Association Awards
- Brian Krug received first
place in the Bryson James MS research competition
for his presentation entitled "Pot tulip
growth with amcymidol, flurprimidol, paclobutrazol,
and uniconazole." Brian is advised by
Dr. Brian Whipker.
- Cindy Proctor received
second place in the Bryson James MS research
competition for her presentation entitled
"Influence of N rate and timing on nitrate
leaching in a simulated landscape." Cindy
is advised by Dr. Stu Warren.
- Jim Owen received second
place in the Bryson James PhD research competition
for his presentation entitled "Clay amended
pine bark decreases water use and phosphorus
loss." Jim is advised by Dr. Stu Warren.
- Richard Olsen received
third place in the Bryson James PhD research
competition for his presentation entitled
"Reproductive behavior of diploid and
allopolyploid x Catalpa tashkentensis."
Richard is advised by Dr. Tom Ranney.
- Northeast Weed Science Society Awards
- Congratulations to Andrew MacRae
for receiving the 1st place individual award
across all events in the Collegiate Weed Science
graduate student division competition. Andrew's
team also received the 1st place team award.
Other team members were Hennen Cummings
and Ian Burke of Crop Science.
- Graduating students
- Five students finished their
graduate programs since Spring semester. We appreciate
their contributions to the Department and wish
them all the best in their future professional
pursuits.
- James Brusca finished his MS
program and returned to his position as a plant
breeder for Harris Moran Seed Company located
in Davis, California. James was advised by Dr.
Randy Gardner.
- Jessica Gaus finished her MS
program and is continuing for the PhD in our Department.
She is advised by Dr. Dennis Werner.
- Jamie Gibson finished his PhD
program and has begun his new position in the
Dept of Environmental Horticulture at the University
of Florida. Jamie was advised by Dr. Brian Whipker
and Dr. Bill Fonteno.
- Kristen Keenan finished her
MHS under the direction of Dr. Pat Lindsey.
- Jenni Reaves completed her
MHS under the direction of Dr. Pat Lindsey.
- NEWS FROM AROUND NORTH CAROLINA
- Horticultural Crops Research Station (Castle
Hayne)
- by Susan Rooks
- nothing this season
- JC Raulston Arboretum (Raleigh)
- by Bob Lyons
- The JCRA is pleased to welcome Ms. Faye
Koonce as one of our newest staff members!
Faye has come to us from the CALS Academic Programs
Office in Patterson Hall and we are delighted
to have her working with us. Faye will take the
Receptionist position in the main lobby of the
McSwain Education Center and will be one of the
first people any of our visitors see upon coming
to the JCRA. As she gets her feet on the ground,
Faye will be assisted by several volunteers who
will pair with Faye each day of the week for several
hours. Please stop by and say hi.....as such,
Faye is also now a member of the Department of
Horticultural Science.
- LCPTRS-Cunningham Research Station (Kinston)
- by Bill Jester
- nothing this season
- Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension
Center (Fletcher)
- by Tom Ranney
- Dick Bir was named the 17th
annual recipient of the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of
Excellence at the 2003 Cullowhee Conference on
Native Plants. The award is given for one or all
three of the following activities: (1) conservation
of native flora in situ (2) studying and promoting
the understanding of our native flora (3) building
expertise in the propagation/cultivation of native
plants and the use of native plants in a diversity
of natural and designed landscapes. Dick joins
Lady Bird Johnson, The National Park Service,
The Nature Conservancy, Dr. JC Raulston and landscape
architect Darrel Morrison, all previous recipients,
in this honor.
 Tom
Ranney and his research group have just
released 'Venus' sweetshrub PPAF -- An exciting
new hybrid with magnolia-like flowers and an alluring
fragrance of strawberries, melons, and spices.
'Venus' was developed with support and assistance
from the Golden LEAF Foundation, NC Association
of Nurserymen, J. Frank Schmidt Family Charitable
Foundation, NC Specialty Crops Program, and of
course, NC State University and is already in
production at many NC Nurseries. 'Venus' is a
medium-sized, deciduous shrub with broad adaptability
and pest resistance. If you would like a plant
to evaluate under residential landscape conditions,
let Tom know (at Tom_Ranney@NCSU.Edu).
- Small Fruit Program (Morganton)
- by Andy Allen
- Excessive rain and cool temperatures
during this growing season have led to highly
vigorous grape vine growth but reduced crop yield
and quality in the research vineyards at the Upper
Piedmont Research Station in Reidsville, a situation
that has been common in vineyards around the state
this year. Much higher than normal disease incidence
due to the frequent rains and very high humidity
has resulted in many problems in vineyard disease
control across North Carolina.
- A vineyard production overview
was held at the Upper Piedmont Research Station
on August 8. Thirty-five growers and potential
growers came out to examine grape cultivars and
discuss aspects of vineyard production.
- Vernon James Research and Extension Center
(Plymouth)
- by Mark Clough
- Craig Yencho and Gina Fernandez
made the move to Raleigh and are now gracing the
halls of Kilgore. Craig and Gina were stationed
here in 1995 and, while their offices may have
moved 130 miles down the road, their presence
remains. The potato breeding program will still
be maintained at the Vernon G. James Center in
Plymouth by Mark Clough under
Craig's direction and Gina will continue her strawberry
research looking at alternatives to methyl bromide.
- Craig Yencho and Mark Clough
finished up potato harvest in July. The season
was wet but fair, and the quality of the potatoes
overall was good. Now they are preparing for their
trip to Maine to harvest potatoes with the USDA.
This year they will have the assistance of one
of the NCDA/TRS crew Jewell Tetterton.
- HORTICULTURE FACILITIES
- by Sylvia Blankenship
- New windows are being installed
in Kilgore Hall for a modern look, as well as much
improved comfort and energy efficiency. The project
is scheduled for completion in mid-October.
- Construction work on the new Kilgore greenhouses
that are part of the Undergraduate Science Teaching
Laboratory building is moving along. All slabs (floors)
have been poured and the basic structure of the greenhouse
has been erected. The current construction schedule
is such that we will be moving into the new headhouse
and greenhouses around December 1.
- OTHER NOTES
- by Todd Wehner
 Horticultural
Science helped in the Teddy Bear/Stuffed Animal
drive with SEANC District 39, collecting 855 cuddlies,
far outpacing all the other districts. The majority
of our haul, a full pick-up truck load, came from
NCSU. The total number was over 1,500; the most we
have ever collected at the SEANC Annual Convention.
The EMS People were very appreciative of our efforts.
The stuffed animals will be used by all EMS ambulances
across the state in case of emergencies involving
young children. See the photograph to the right.
- DEPARTMENTAL NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE
- Editor / webmaster: Todd Wehner
- Printing and mailing: Rachel McLaughlin
- Newsletter design: Anne Spafford
- Administrative news: Julia Kornegay
- Faculty news / Facilities: Sylvia
Blankenship
- Staff news: Barb Amos
- Undergraduate news: Bryce Lane
- Graduate news: Dennis Werner and
Rachel McLaughlin
- Graduate student feature: Richard
Olsen
- Location news: Bob Lyons (Arboretum),
Susan Rooks (Castle Hayne), Tom Ranney (Fletcher),
Bill Jester (Kinston), Andy Allen (Morganton), Mark
Clough (Plymouth)
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