Department of Horticultural Science
College of Agriculture and Life Science
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LogoDepartmental Newsletter, Summer 2005

  • NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEAD
    • by Julia Kornegay
    • One of many responsibilities and highlights of North Carolina State University and the Department of Horticultural Science is the organization and delivery of horticultural field days. The purpose of these events is to update growers, extension agents, local officials, and the general public with new information and techniques relating to specific horticultural commodities and industries. The field days are held at NC Department of Agriculture and NC State University Field Laboratories, Arboretum, Farms, Centers, and Stations located across the state.
    • The organization and structure of field days varies from university to university. Some concentrate their activities into one or two large events each year and cover a wide range of commodities and programs. In contrast, NC State field days are more specialized and generally focus on a single commodity or small group of similar commodities or on a specific type of industry (i.e., the landscape industry). Not all of our field days are held every year. The Apple Field Day is held every third year; while others are offered every other year. We also create new field days as our research and extension programs change over time.
    • The horticultural field day programs are organized by faculty and staff from the Departments of Horticultural Science, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, Agricultural and Resource Economics, and Communication Services, as well as NC Cooperative Extension Service and NCDA to ensure that the information provided is up-to-date and is delivered in a manner readily usable by the public. Pesticide credits for growers and industry professionals are available for certain activities at some of the field days. The participants also appreciate the opportunity to interact directly with our faculty and staff, and with each other.
    • Field days for 2005 are the Strawberry Field Day (May 4 – Central Crops Research Station), Professional Landscape Field Day (May 18 – Horticultural Field Laboratories), and the new Small Fruits Field Day (June 13 – Sandhills Research Station). Coming soon is the Landscape Color Field Day (July 26 – JC Raulston Arboretum), Specialty Crops Field Day (July 28 – Cunningham Research Station, Kinston), Fresh Market Tomato and Vegetable Field Day (August 4 – Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center), Ornamental Twilight Field Day (September 23 – Horticultural Field Laboratories), and the Sweet Potato Field Day (October 12 – Horticultural Crops Research Station, Clinton).
    • If you want to know more about NC State’s field days, please visit the calendar at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/Events/ and hit ‘search’ for a listing and information. All are welcome to come. Just bring an interest in the subject!
  • DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHT
    • by Todd Wehner
    • After three years of development, the Distance Education Graduate Certificate in Horticultural Science has been approved this month by the UNC Board of Governors.
    • The program is designed to increase skills for current or future employment in the Horticultural industry.  Applicants are required to complete a minimum of 15 credit hours for the Certificate.  The program requires three to five courses in Horticultural Science. Courses can be completed either on campus or via distance education.
    • For more information, see http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/student/hscertabout.html
  • FACULTY NEWS
    • by Todd Wehner
    • Barclay Poling received the 2005 Pioneer award for research and development from the American Society for Plasticulture.
    • Nancy Creamer was appointed to the Specialty Crops Advisory committee to the U.S. secretary of agriculture's national advisory board.
    • Jeanine Davis (along with Ag. Economists Laura Lengnick and Susan Kask) received a grant from USDA-NRI for improved farm profit with farmland protection and high value crops.
    • Dennis Osborne was elected the 2005-2006 Vice-President of the NCSU Chapter of Sigma Xi.  He also was elected the 2005-2008 treasurer of the American Society of Agronomy - Southern Branch.
    • Landscape Architecture's Ecological Design Class Explores Low Impact Land Development. Dennis Osborne led his Spring Semester LAR 578 students to develop, in a community context, an informed philosophy of low impact land development while exploring a personal ethic about the subject.
    • Gina Fernandez was the faculty winner of an iPod from the Friends of the Library at NCSU for completing a questionnaire on her satisfaction with the Hill of Beans Coffee Shop in D.H. Hill Library.
  • INTERESTING WEB SITES
  • UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
    • by Bryce Lane and Betty Coleman
    • Graduation was May 14; there were 4 PhD, 2 MS, and 21 BS degrees awarded.
  • GRADUATE PROGRAM
    • by John Dole and Rachel McLaughlin
    • The Graduate Admission Committee was busy this spring considering applications for Fall 2005.  Over twenty applications were submitted and of those, we anticipate six graduate students to be starting this fall.
    • Summer is a time for research -- many of our students are working on projects in fields and greenhouses around the state.  Summer is also a time for scientific and industry meetings -- our students will be presenting their research at a number of meetings all over the United States.
    • Graduate Students Starting
      • The following graduate students will be starting on new degree programs this fall.  Colleen Brannen will be working on a MHS with Pat Lindsey; Ramon Molina Bravo will be working on a PhD with Gina Fernandez; Juliana Buckelew will be working on a PhD with David Monks; Roland Leatherwood will be working on a PhD with John Dole; Per McCord will be working on a PhD with Craig Yencho; and Christine Sickler will be working on a PhD with Jim Burton.
  • NEWS FROM AROUND NORTH CAROLINA
    • Horticultural Crops Research Station (Clinton)
      • by Allan Thornton
      • We are off to a busy start for the 2005 season. On-farm projects consist of collaborative work with colleagues in Horticulture, Plant Pathology, and Entomology.  Projects include sweetpotato fertility, breeding, weed control, insect control, and watermelon fungicides.
      • Plasticulture acreage continues to increase resulting in strong demand for extension work.
      • Note: Hwy 403 to the Clinton Hort Crops station is under construction this summer.  Take Hwy 701 south from I-40 instead.
    • Cunningham Research Station (Kinston)
      • by Bill Jester
      • In spite of a cold spring, the melon, watermelon and warm-season crop tests are progressing and the trials look good, although they will be about 10 days late for harvest.  There will be a specialty crops field day on July 28.
    • Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center (Fletcher)
      • by Tom Ranney
      • Anthony LeBude has officially started as the new Western North Carolina Nursery Extension and Research Specialist. As one of our graduates, we know Anthony well and are excited to have him move into this position.
      • In addition to his academic qualifications, Anthony has already proven to be a powerful force on the Station volleyball court. If he has good cooking skills, he might really have potential here. Welcome Anthony!
    • Vernon James Research and Extension Center (Plymouth)
      • by Mark Clough
      • On May 16 Mark Clough went to the Potato Association meeting. The crop is down in acreage this year from last and harvest is expected to start later this year than on average due to the cool wet weather.
      • The new Hwy 64 bypass around Roper  is expected to open sometime before December. Hwy 45 North of Plymouth will be closed in the middle of July and the DOT will be replacing the old bridge that crosses the Roanoke, and Cashie Rivers and have stated it will only take 6 weeks to complete.
  • WISH LIST
    • by Julia Kornegay
    • Because of on-going budget restrictions, the horticulture department can no longer purchase all the items needed by our programs.  We hope that our alumni and collaborators will review this list and help us obtain these items.
    • For Kilgore Hall
      • stove and extraction hood
      • poster printer (HP 1055CM)
      • digital camera (5-8 Mpixels)
    • For the greenhouses
      • two golf carts with back utility beds
    • For the graduate student office
      • double-sided printer
      • six replacement computers (Win, Mac)
      • computer desks and chairs (8 - 10)
  • HORTICULTURE FACILITIES
    • by David Monks
    • Kilgore Hall is now operating with a new cooling tower for the new air conditioning system.
    • The courtyard behind Kilgore Hall has recently expanded as a result of the removal of the construction fence and the addition of landscaping around David Clark Lab, set to open this summer for Zoology.
  • DEPARTMENTAL NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE
    • Editor: Todd Wehner
    • Assistant: Rachel McLaughlin
    • Send items for the newsletter to Todd Wehner (todd_wehner@ncsu.edu
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