2015

Jun 19, 2015

You Decide: Can We Remake Ourselves?

When faced with economic calamity, how willing are we to think about changing what we do in order to stay employed? Mike Walden analyzes why the best laid contingency plans need not go awry. 

Jun 19, 2015

4-H’ers focus on civic engagement

For North Carolina’s state 4-H president Oshė Pittman, 4-H Citizenship North Carolina Focus has become an important stop on his journey toward becoming a judge. “I’ve always had a big voice, but this event has helped me further develop my leadership skills and helped me gain skills as a follower as well,” Pittman explained, “because it’s important to be a team player if you want to get things done.” And getting things done was what the three-day event was all about. 

Jun 18, 2015

Dean Linton to chair N.C. Food Manufacturing Task Force

N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, along with N.C. State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Richard Linton and N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Steve Troxler, today will announce the creation of the North Carolina Food Manufacturing Task Force. The announcement will take place Thursday, June 18, at 2 p.m. at the Gov. James G. Martin Building on the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. Media are invited to attend. 

Jun 17, 2015

Entomologists combat fruit-damaging fly

From the first swelling of fruit in a blueberry field to the moment a consumer savors the finished product, the quality of that berry should remain high. North Carolina’s $66 million blueberry industry is determined to keep it that way, and farmers spent an extra $36-54 per acre on pesticides alone in 2012. An emerging threat to the state's $104.6 million small fruit industry, including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries, is a tiny fly from Asia known as spotted wing drosophila. NC State University's Dr. Hannah J. Burrack spoke about her research on SWD detection and management in a recent webinar hosted by Marron Bio Innovations. 

Jun 16, 2015

Bacterial genome scalpel can identify key gene regions

In a study that twists nature’s arm to gain clues into the varied functions of the bacterial genome, North Carolina State University researchers utilize a precision scalpel to excise target genomic regions that are expendable. 

Jun 15, 2015

Will the dollar keep its clout?

The world has changed dramatically in recent decades. In particular, the U.S. economy is not as dominant as it once was. Some say this may eventually mean the U.S. dollar will lose its elevated position in world finance. NC State University economist Mike Walden considers whether such a change is inevitable. 

Jun 12, 2015

Walter A. Skroch Inducted into Western N.C. Agricultural Hall of Fame

As professor of Horticultural Science, Skroch developed management programs that have saved millions of tons of soil, reduced vegetation management costs, reduced pesticide use, increased wildlife habitat and increased species biodiversity throughout North Carolina and beyond. 

Jun 9, 2015

SAVE THE DATE: ‘Stewards of the Future’ to focus on water

Stewards of the Future: Water for a Growing World, hosted by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will provide international, national and state level perspectives on issues of water quantity and quality. Participants will explore how North Carolina and its global partners can provide leadership toward the goal of ensuring water resiliency for North Carolina and a growing world. 

Jun 8, 2015

Funding supports digitization of transformative Extension documents

The North Carolina State University Libraries has been awarded a $98,997 grant to support the digitization project “Better Living in North Carolina: Bringing Science and Technology to the People,” a collaboration with North Carolina A&T State University’s F. D. Bluford Library. 

Jun 7, 2015

Productivity disappointment

One of the many economic statistics released regularly is one on labor productivity. NC State University economist Mike Walden pays attention to this number and hasn't been happy with it recently. What's wrong?