News

Sep 21, 2010

Gas prices and vehicle purchases

When gas prices soared in the mid 2000s, it affected our driving and what vehicles we bought. But more precisely, what happened when gas prices soared to almost $4 a gallon? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden summarizes what studies reveal. 

Sep 21, 2010

‘The Produce Lady’ launches e-newsletter to promote N.C. fruits and veggies

KANNAPOLIS, NC – The Produce Lady, a program of N.C. MarketReady, continues its educational outreach to North Carolina fresh produce growers and consumers with the launch of an e-newsletter. The monthly newsletter encourages N.C. families to eat healthy fruits and vegetables purchased at local farmers markets. It includes selection tips, health benefits and recipes. 

Sep 20, 2010

Where did we splurge?

Pushed by a good stock market and soaring housing prices, American households went on a buying binge before the recession. During those earlier buying years, what kinds of products were consumers snapping up? N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden responds. 

Sep 17, 2010

Who benefits from e-commerce?

What’s called e-commerce -- or online shopping -- has grown by leaps and bounds. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden talks about the kind of businesses that benefit the most from e-commerce. 

Sep 17, 2010

CALS tour brings Central America to plant pathology students

Bridget Lassiter, a Ph.D. student in crop science, describes her experience traveling to Costa Rica as part of a class on tropical agriculture and plant pathology. 

Sep 17, 2010

YOU DECIDE: When will bank lending bounce back?

Businesses need loans to expand, and new businesses need loans to start. But banks aren't lending. Mike Walden discusses why banks aren't lending. 

Sep 16, 2010

Metro income growth

Recently the U.S. Commerce Department released numbers for income growth between 2007 and 2009 in metropolitan areas. Some of the results were surprising, says N.C. State University economist Mike Walden. 

Sep 16, 2010

CALS Tailgate 2010 – still the biggest and best!

More than 1,100 CALS alumni and friends celebrated the tradition on Sept. 4, as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences held its 19th annual football tailgate event at Dorton Arena on the state fairgrounds. 

Sep 15, 2010

School, local officials celebrate partnership to clean up impaired creek

Hoping to inspire changes that result in less rain down the drain, North Carolina State University, the town of Cary and the Black Creek Watershed Association recently dedicated new rain gardens at West Cary Middle School. 

Sep 15, 2010

Spending by the rich

Legend has it that the writer F. Scott Fitzgerald said the rich are different: They have more money. While the very rich are a relatively small percentage of the economy, they are often the focus of economic policy. Extension economist Mike Walden explains why.