Departmental Newsletter, Spring 2007
- NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEAD
- by Julia Kornegay
- Our time has come! For the first time, specialty crops--which include fruits, tree nuts, vegetables, melons, sweetpotatoes, potatoes, nursery and floricultural crops, among others--is targeted to receive specific and significant funding in the 2007 USDA Farm Bill (www.usda.gov/farmbill), which was recently unveiled by Mike Johanns, the Secretary of Agriculture.
- Until now, the 'program' crops, such as corn, soybeans, cotton, wheat, and rice had been favored in previous Farm Bills, primarily through price supports, marketing quotas, acreage allotments, and other direct support programs. Very little funding was made available for horticultural crops. But times have changed!
- Today, the U.S. specialty crop industry is a major contributor to the U.S. agricultural economy. Specialty crops accounted for 10 million harvested cropland acres in 2004. The value of total U.S. specialty crops ($49 billion in sales) now exceeds the combined value of the five major program crops ($45.8 billion in sales).
- Some of the highlights of the 2007 Farm Bill, would include: $1 billion for a new Specialty Crops Research Initiative (over a 10 year period); an additional $10 million in mandatory funding to be available for organic research; $3.25 billion to support specialty crop producers through the purchase of fruits and vegetables to enhance nutrition in food assistance programs, including school meals; $20 million for international sanitary and phytosanitary issues; $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy research, development and production; and $7.8 billion increase in conservation funding. At the same time, the plan would end commodity program subsidies to wealthy producers and reduce the number of commodity crop subsidies. Through these adjustments, the new 2007 Farm Bill actually proposes to spend $10 billion less than the cost of 2002 Farm Bill over the last five years! The Bill also proposes to consolidate USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) into a single agency named the Research, Education, and Extension Service (REES), which will coordinate both intramural and extramural research, extension, and education programs.
- The Specialty Crops Research Initiative would have the following objectives:
- Conduct fundamental work in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve crop characteristics such as product appearance, environmental responses and tolerances, nutrient management, pest and disease management, enhanced phytonutrient content, as well as safety, quality, yield, taste, and shelf life.
- Continue efforts to identify threats from invasive species such as Citrus Greening and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter.
- Optimize production by developing more technologically efficient and effective application of water, nutrients, and pesticides to reduce energy use and improve production efficiency.
- Develop new innovations and technology to enhance mechanization thus reducing reliance on labor.
- Improve production efficiency, productivity, and profitability over the long term.
- The Horticultural Science Department is well poised to provide regional and national leadership in the new focus areas. Our Specialty Crops Programs, in collaboration with NCDA, has made a significant impact on NC agriculture through the research, extension and marketing of new horticultural products. This program has served as a model for other states. Likewise, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) which involves multiple departments, universities, and agencies, also serves as a national model for organic and sustainable farming systems research and outreach. Our plant breeding and applied genomics research programs have been very successful, not only in the release of improved cultivars and breeding lines, but also in fundamental research and applied genomics to better understand the potential for genetic manipulation of these crops and the development of value-added products. Similarly, cultivar testing and crop management research for nursery and floricultural crops has led to a boom in production for North Carolina growers and is a major economic force in our state. We also provide regional leadership in the development of weed control strategies for horticultural crops, and conduct research and testing needed to obtain new pesticide registrations for specialty crops through the IR-4 Regional Southeast Program that we direct.
- With the new emphasis on specialty crops, bio-energy and bio-based products, conservation and nutrition, the Horticultural Science Department is fully supportive of the new 2007 Farm Bill and will be working with our professional societies and commodity associations to let our congressional representatives know that this bill is much needed and long overdue
 DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHT
- by Todd Wehner
- The plant breeding program at NC State University is one of the leading programs in the U.S. Plant breeders in Horticultural Science, along with those in Crop Science and Forestry, train plant breeding graduate students for jobs at seed companies, universities, the U.S.D.A., and international research centers. More than 30 crops are being worked on, including raspberry (see photo).
- NC State is one of only seven universities in the U.S. with a large enough program to award degrees to six or more graduate students per year.
- See: http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/breeding/index.html
- FACULTY NEWS
- by Todd Wehner
- Lisa Forehand is involved with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (since 2001), first as an intern in the Sustainable Agriculture Internship, then in graduate school (Biological Control research), finally as a technician in the entomology department.
- Currently, she is the CEFS Extension and Outreach Coordinator. Her responsibilities include organizing the events for Sustainable Agriculture (16 workshops, the CEFS Author Series, the CEFS Spring Sustainable Agriculture Lecture and the Fall Festival), coordinating the CEFS Sustainable Agriculture Summer Research Internship, and educating students, growers, extension agents and the community about sustainable agriculture and community based food systems through various extension and outreach events.
- For the CEFS calendar of events, see: http://www.cefs.ncsu.edu/calendar.htm
- David Monks is doing an administrative internship with the administration of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Todd Wehner is serving as interim assistant department head while David Monks is away.
- Barclay Poling has edited a guide for winegrape growers (see photo). It is now on the web at: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/fruit/winegrapes.html
- Faculty Awards
- Anne Spafford was named an NC State Outstanding Teacher for 2006-2007.
 UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
- by
Bryce Lane and Betty Coleman
- The following students were initiated into Pi Alpha Xi: Olivia Brakenbury, B.J. Fisher, Joshua Mathis, Jeana Roach, Adam Sain, Cherlynn Tchir, Trey Warrick, Jason Weathington, and Tanya Weyhrauch.
- GRADUATE PROGRAM
- by John Dole and Rachel McLaughlin
- Graduate Students Arriving
- Dennis Carey, Jr. Dennis was born in Rockford, Illinois. In 1992, he received his first BS degree from NC Central University majoring in Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering. In 1993, he received his second BS degree from NCSU majoring in Computer Engineering. In 2004, he received his BS degree from NCSU majoring in Horticultural Science. While getting his degree Dennis worked part-time at a retail garden center. After graduation and before starting graduate school he worked as a grower at a plant nursery. Prior to finding his horticultural calling, Dennis worked for 10 years as a software developer at a telecommunications company. Dennis will be working on his MS degree with Brian Whipker and Wayne Buhler.
- Peter Dittmar. Peter was born in Galena, Illinois. He received his AAS degree in Ornamental Horticulture/General in May 2002 from Kishwaukee College and continued his education by receiving his BS degree in May 2004 from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale majoring in Horticultural Science. Peter was raised on a farm that has been in his family for six generations. He participated extensively in 4-H horticulture programs at the county, state and national level. These activities allowed him to see the extension cooperative service at work. Some of Peter’s work experiences include landscape installation at a retail garden center, landscape maintenance at a golf course development, assistant grower at a wholesale greenhouse operation and a horticulture food crops technician. In December 2006 he received his MS in our Department under the direction of Jonathan Schultheis. Peter will be working on his PhD degree with David Monks.
- Mariana Franco Ruiz. Mariana was born in Salamanca, Mexico. She received her BS degree from the University of Guanajuato majoring in Food Engineering (Agriculture). In April 2002 to June 2004, she worked in the Dept of Botany (NCSU) as a research scholar. From June 2004 until December 2005, Mariana worked in the Dept of Crop Science (NCSU) as a research technician with Dr. George Allen. When Dr. Allen joined our Department in November 2006, Mariana decided to transfer her curriculum to Horticultural Science. Mariana will be working on her PhD degree with George Allen.
- Ka Yeon Jeong. Kay was born in Seoul, Republic of Korea. She received her BS degree from Yonsei University majoring in Biological Resources and Technology. In March 2006 she received her MS from Ohio State University majoring in Horticulture and Crop Science. Kay also has one year of coursework as an exchange student at Maryville College in Tennessee. During the summer of 2002, she attended Cornell University and assisted with research at Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island, New Hampshire. For three weeks that same summer, she attended the Denali Institute’s Alaska Northern Studies Field Course in Alaska. Kay will be working on her PhD degree with Paul Nelson.
- Adam Lowder. Adam was born in Albemarle, North Carolina. He received his BS in December 2006 from NCSU majoring in Horticultural Science. Prior to beginning his graduate program, Adam was employed with the USDA-ARS Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research Group, NCSU, Dept of Horticultural Science Substrate Research Group and Fork L. Farm, Inc. Past employment has included Frank Lee Farm, Breezy Hill Garden Center and a lawn care service. Adam will be working on his MS degree with Stu Warren and Helen Kraus.
- Jennifer Swift. Jen was born in San Francisco, California. She received her BA degree from San Francisco State University majoring in English Language and Literature. In May 2006, she received her BS degree from NCSU majoring in Horticultural Science. During her undergraduate degree, she worked with the NCSU Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Program. From this experience, she gives credit for “propagating my interest in plant breeding in research.” Jen has also worked with the NCSU Peanut Breeding and Genetics Program gaining valuable experience in PCR techniques and laboratory procedures. Jen will be working on her MS degree with Jim Ballington.
- Graduate Student Awards
- Richard Olsen received the Krezdorn Award for Excellence in Doctoral Research and Writing at the Southern Region ASHS meeting in Mobile, AL for his paper entitled, "Fertility and Inheritance of Variegated and Purple Foliage Across a Polyploidy Series in Hypericum androsaemum".
- Peter Dittmar won 1st place in the Norman F. Childers M.S. Graduate Student Paper Competition at the Southern Region ASHS meeting in Mobile, AL. The title of his presentation was "Utilization of Commercially Available Pollenizers for Optimizing Triploid Watermelon Production".
- The following students were initiated into Pi Alpha Xi: Emily Bland, Meagan Coneybeer, Rakesh Kumar, Lis Meyer, Suzanne O'Connell, Erin Possiel, Angela Post, Alison Prehn, Stephanie Romelczyk, Emily Vollmer, and John Wooldridge.
- Ramon Molina Bravo, a Ph.D. student with Gina Fernandez and Bryon Sosinski, has been given a travel award for 2 months in New Zealand at HortResearch doing research and learning new techniques that will enhance his raspberry work in the area of genomics. He will be working in the laboratory of Dr. Emily Buck.
 Angela Post won the award for Outstanding Master of Science Graduate Student at the Weed Science Society of North Carolina in March.- The MS section of the Weed Science Society of North Carolina's poster competition was won by Ryan Pekarek. The title of the poster was 'Carryover potential of sulfentrazone to vegetable crops'. A cash prize was included with the award. Ryan is studying weed management systems in plasticulture bell pepper under the direction of Dr. David Monks.
- NEWS FROM AROUND NORTH CAROLINA
- Muscadine Grape Program (Kenansville)
- by Connie Fisk
- Muscadine pruning workshops have been hosted at locations around the state with as many as 60 attendees per workshop. One was held in Goldsboro on February 10 (see photo), where attendees learned the difference between healthy and unhealthy wood, how to prune for good fruit quality, and how far to prune back each year for consistent yearly production.
- There is also much interest in vineyard establishment and most of the large nurseries report being sold out of the popular muscadine varieties, so this year I expect that we will again add to NC’s already substantial muscadine acreage. Much of the interest this year is for fresh market production for large companies like Dole. To address this interest there will be a Fresh Market Muscadine meeting at the Duplin County Cooperative Extension Office on March 15. Peter Gilmore from Dole Foods and Ervin Lineberger, our largest fresh muscadine grower, are two of the scheduled speakers. Amy Griner, NC Crop Improvement Association, will also be on hand to discuss considerations for organic production (another area of high interest right now). For more information call the Duplin Office at 910.296.2143.
- The NC Muscadine Grape Association’s Winter Meeting will be March 14 at the Ruby McSwain Building at the JC Raulston Arboretum. The Annual Meeting and Bus Tour will be August 2-3. Visit http://www.ncmuscadine.org for more information.
 Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station (Fletcher)
- by Tom Ranney
- The Oconee Bells are blooming! Few plants carry a legacy comparable to Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia). Originally discovered in 1788 by the legendary French botanist and explorer, André Michaux, he never named the plant. Nearly 50 years later, Asa Gray, the renowned botanist at Harvard University, was intrigued to discover a dried specimen of the Oconee Bell among a group of Michaux's neglected herbarium collections. Gray named the plant in honor of his friend and colleague, Charles Short, and became increasingly obsessed with finding the rare and elusive Oconee Bells. Despite, an impassioned quest, neither Gray nor Short, ever saw the plant in the wild. Finally, after close to 100 years, George Hyams, a 17-year old boy, rediscovered the plant in 1877 in McDowell County, N.C. The Oconee Bell continues to be an extremely rare plant, found in only seven counties in NC, SC, and GA. It is believed that the site of Michaux’s original collection is now submerged below the dammed waters of Lake Jocassee, SC. Although still not commonly known, Oconee bells recently attained new-found fame with Gillian Welch's 1996 song under the name "Acony bell," in her debut album, Revival:
- “The fairest bloom the mountain knows
Is not an iris or a wild rose
But the little flower of which I'll tell
Known as the brave acony bell”.
- What is even less well-known is that the Oconee Bell blooms each year near March, 17 - coincidentally, on my birthday (not to mention St. Patrick’s Day). Just days ago, on my 48th birthday, after a long and arduous journey, my family and I hiked nearly 300 yards from the parking lot at Devils Fork State Park, Oconee County, SC, to see one of the largest populations of Oconee Bells in full bloom (see photo). Amazing!
- Vernon James Research and Extension Center (Plymouth)
- by Mark Clough
- Steve Barnes, Tidewater Research Station (TRS) Superintendent, retired Feb 1. He began his career at the TRS in 1965 as a Soils Specialist in the NCSU dept of Soil Sci. Later he left to work for First Colony Farms. Steve returned to the state as the Peanut Belt Superintendent in 1985 and served there 17 years before joining us at the TRS in 2002 for the remainder of his career. We wish him the best in his retirement. Interviews for his replacement are on-going.
 NC Research Campus (Kannapolis)
- by Todd Wehner
- Work is progressing on a new 350 A campus in Kannapolis that will house private researchers along with faculty from NC State, UNC-CH, and UNC-Charlotte (see photo). Work will focus on foods for health and nutrition. See the website at: http://www.northcarolina.edu/content.php/pa/kannapolis.htm
- JC Raulston Arboretum (Raleigh)
- by Dennis Werner
- Dennis Werner, director of the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University has sent a summary of the major Arboretum activities and accomplishments of 2006. Please consider becoming a member of the JCRA, and visit your Arboretum often (see photo). See the website at:
http://www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum/
- We were pleased to welcome two new staff members in 2006. Ms. Autumn Keck joined us as Associate Director of Fundraising and Major Events in March 2006. Autumn is a 2000 graduate of NC State University with a degree in communications, responsible for coordinating our member recruitment and fundraising efforts, and coordinating major events such as our "Gala in the Garden". Mr. Tim Alderton joined the JCRA in the February 2006. Tim has a Horticulture degree from The Pennsylvania State University. Tim filled the position of Arboretum research technician, and is responsible for general care and maintenance of the Arboretum grounds and plant collections. The JCRA Assistant Director position is currently vacant, but will be filled in 2007.
- A grant from the Horticulture Honor society Pi Alpha Xi (PAX) funded the restoration of the popular stepping stone water garden. Originally installed by landscape horticulture students in the 1980's, this garden is a special space for kids and kids at heart. In addition to the repair of the actual water feature, the entire area was replanted with many new herbaceous and woody plants.
 An opportunity to showcase xeric plants was made possible through the construction of a new scree/rock garden on the west side of the Ruby McSwain Education Center. More than 200 new plants, including taxa from the southwestern U.S., Mexico, and South Africa were established in this exciting new planting. Of particular interest are a collection of new hybrid rain lilies (Zephyranthes sp.) and ferns from the desert southwest. This garden demonstrates the exciting opportunities for landscaping with taxa that require little or no supplemental irrigation after initial establishment.- Renovation of the beds west of the Ruby McSwain Education Center began in late 2006. Removal of large trees, development of new paths, soil amendment, and bed reconfiguration is being done in anticipation of replanting in winter and spring of 2007. Keep an eye out for changes in this part of the Arboretum.
- Thanks to a generous gift from Ms. Priscilla Swindell, and the creativity and efforts of students in the landscape horticulture class of Dr. Pat Lindsey in the Horticultural Science Department, the Contemplation Garden was established. Lying under the welcoming arms of our 2 beautiful live oak trees, this garden features a diversity of shade tolerant plants, many with winter interest.
- The McSwain rooftop garden is undergoing a complete renovation to facilitate culture and trialing of a greater diversity of plants. Modification of the growing media and reconfiguration of beds is nearly complete in anticipation of establishing new plant materials in spring 2007. A favorite location for weddings and other events, the rooftop garden area provides guests with a great view of the west arboretum.
- We demolished the old Arboretum brick building, an icon of the Arboretum for many years, in 2006. The site will be renovated and new plantings established in 2007.
- OPPORTUNITIES
- by Todd Wehner
- The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is seeking undergraduate students with a strong interest in sustainable agriculture. Summer Research Interns will work closely with a CEFS faculty member. There will be a core 8-week period (June 4-July 27) where all interns will participate in a more formal learning program in addition to their association with the particular faculty mentor. Research interns will work with research faculty on a targeted project four days per week. One day a week, all Research Interns will meet as a group with a CEFS research leader and associated faculty members to learn about various aspects of sustainable agriculture. A written report and presentation will be due upon the completion of the research internship. For more information: http://www.cefs.ncsu.edu/internship2007.htm or contact Lisa Forehand (lisa_forehand@ncsu.edu or 919-513-0954).
- 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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