2010

Dec 21, 2010

Another debt plan

The national debt is a major issue. Recently the heads of the U.S. president's fiscal commission issued a debt reduction plan. And another group has released yet another plan. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden highlights the major recommendations in this other plan. 

Dec 20, 2010

Forecasting the economic future

Everyone wants to have a crystal ball regarding the economy, but few of us have one. Economists are often asked to peer into the economic future. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains the techniques that economists use to do that. 

Dec 17, 2010

Being like Japan

One of the apparent fears of the Federal Reserve is that the U.S. economy today will be like the Japanese economy of the 1990s. What are the parallels, and what are the problems of copying the Japanese economy of 20 years ago? Dr. Mike Walden, an Extension economist with N.C. State University, responds. 

Dec 16, 2010

New state economic indicator

N.C. State University extension economist Mike Walden recently unveiled a new measure of the state economy meant to tell us where the state economy will be heading in the near future. In today's "Economic Perspective," he details this new leading indicator. 

Dec 15, 2010

ESP recognizes Cooperative Extension employees

N.C. Cooperative Extension employees were recognized during the annual meeting of Epsilon Sigma Phi’s Xi Chapter held in December. ESP is a professional development society for Cooperative Extension employees. 

Dec 15, 2010

Baked-in results

Many people watch the stock and other investment markets for clues to what might happen to the economy. "Baked-in results" is a term increasingly heard. N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden explains how investments can be "baked-in." 

Dec 14, 2010

Sherman releases vermiculture book

Rhonda Sherman, solid waste Cooperative Extension specialist in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, is co-editor of the first scientific book on vermicomposting. Vermiculture Technology: Earthworms, Organic Wastes, and Environmental Management was released this week by CRC Press. 

Dec 13, 2010

Team Broccoli: Project seeks East Coast broccoli industry

A North Carolina State University horticulturist is a member of a team of agricultural scientists that has embarked on what may be a decade-long effort to grow a $100 million broccoli industry on the East Coast. 

Dec 13, 2010

Money creation

There has been a lot of talk recently about money, and specifically the money the Federal Reserve is planning to create to stimulate the economy. How is this done? Does the Federal Reserve really have the power to flip a switch and generate money? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Dec 10, 2010

YOU DECIDE: Do we still have airplane mechanics?

Many people feel good-paying skilled jobs are falling by the wayside as a result of the impact of increased world trade. Mike Walden says the reality is more complicated.