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January 2013

Jan 15, 2013

‘Fotonovela’ will help teach Latino families about 4-H

4-H leaders have a new tool to help Spanish-language families understand the value of 4-H activities to their young people. Cintia Aguilar and her N.C. Cooperative Extension colleagues have developed a fotonovela – a book similar to a graphic novel with photos – to tell the story of 4-H in both English and in Spanish. 

Jan 15, 2013

Recording available for branding webinar

North Carolina Cooperative Extension had a great turnout at the National Extension Branding Initiative launch webinar on Jan. 10. A recording of the session is now available online. 

Jan 15, 2013

Medicare challenges

Medicare is the large federal program that helps pay medical bills for people over age 65. Most plans to fix the long-term federal budget involve some changes to Medicare. But as N.C. State University economist Mike Walden points out, those changes wouldn’t be easy to make. 

Jan 14, 2013

Time to buy?

Sometimes, says Mary Walden, it sees we try to make the economy overly complex. An example: buying durable goods such as vehicles, appliances and furnishings. “I know that one thing that motivates me to purchase these products is how old my current model … is. Am I being overly simplistic?” Her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, answers. 

Jan 11, 2013

Wealth update

Changes in household wealth have been a key part of the economic roller coaster the last few years. Recently we received the latest reading on household wealth, and N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says the numbers are encouraging. 

Jan 10, 2013

N.C. State researchers win $2.5 million grant to combat salmonella

Dr. Hosni Hassan, North Carolina State University professor of microbiology, and Dr. Matt Koci, associate professor of poultry science, are leading the charge on a new five-year, $2.5 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) to stamp out salmonella. 

Jan 10, 2013

Plant pathology department and Bayer CropScience team to create new graduate student fellowship

The Department of Plant Pathology and Bayer CropScience have partnered to establish the Bayer CropScience Fellowship for Graduate Students, a training program designed to prepare students for success in private industry. 

Jan 10, 2013

Paying for the debt

If you divide the current level of the national debt by the number of people in the country, each person’s share comes to over $50,000. Does this mean one day we will all get a bill in the mail for $50,000? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Jan 9, 2013

Cash-only doctors

Some doctors today take only cash as payment. That is, they won’t accept health insurance for payment of services provided to patients. What are the pros and cons of this system, which used to be common years ago, but is definitely unusual today? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Jan 8, 2013

Surging oil production

A recent report suggested that if present trends continue the U.S. could be energy self-sufficient by 2030. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains what’s behind this prediction?