News

Aug 26, 2011

Credit rating cut

Recently one of the national credit rating agencies lowered the rating for the U.S. government. N.C. State economist Mike Walden explains why this happened and what it means for both the government and the public. 

Aug 25, 2011

Project fuels interest in canola

When leaders of a project designed to provide homegrown, renewable fuels for the military and to strengthen Eastern North Carolina agriculture needed help finding the right source crop and testing it locally, they turned to N.C. State University and its N.C. Cooperative Extension Service for help. 

Aug 25, 2011

Take steps to avoid mosquito bites

Given recent diagnoses of mosquito-borne diseases in a child and a horse in North Carolina – coupled with possible heavy rains from Hurricane Irene –an N.C. Cooperative Extension specialist advises people to take precautions when outdoors. 

Aug 25, 2011

Tracking home prices

Changes in home prices have become a very important part of today’s economic situation. On the surface, a person might think that following home prices is really quite simple -- you just take an average of the prices of homes sold and compare those numbers over time. But, as N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains, it's not that easy. 

Aug 24, 2011

Franklin County hosts local foods meal, Sept. 2

Franklin County's 2nd annual Local Food Roast Plate Sale will be Sept. 2, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. (or until sold out). The plate sale – part of the United Way of Franklin County Campaign Kick-Off – will be at the Farmers’ Market Shelter in Louisburg. 

Aug 24, 2011

Job opportunities

There are three big issues in today’s economy -- jobs, jobs, and jobs. People without work are really desperate for jobs. When we look past the recession and down the road a couple of years, where will the jobs be and what will they pay? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden shares the latest projections. 

Aug 23, 2011

Extension offers disaster recovery expertise

In the wake of Hurricane Irene, news media looking for information on a variety of hurricane topics can turn to North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s disaster page at ncdisaster.com or they can directly contact key Extension experts. 

Aug 23, 2011

N.C. 4-H Hall of Fame honors 2011 inductees

The North Carolina 4-H Hall of Fame recently named to its membership eleven individuals who have played critical roles in the development of the contemporary 4-H program in the state. 

Aug 23, 2011

CEFS celebrates Week of Sustainable Agriculture, Sept. 12-18

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) will host a week-long celebration focusing on the importance of sustainable agriculture and locally grown foods, Sept. 12-18. CEFS will host several events to educate the community about vibrant North Carolina agriculture, including workshops, film screenings and multiple outreach events. 

Aug 23, 2011

Comparable crashes

Most recent recessions are gauged against the biggest economic downturn of them all, the 1930s Great Depression. Of course, when we looked at the current recession, the decline in the housing market is one of the key factors. How does the current situation in the housing market match up against what happened in the 1930s? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden weighs in.