Author: Dee Shore

Feb 10, 2012

Troxler and Rouzer honored at CALS joint foundations event

North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler and state Sen. David Rouzer are the 2011 recipients of the Distinguished Service Awards, presented by the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation. The awards are given annually to individuals who provide outstanding support to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and N.C. State University. 

Feb 10, 2012

A consumption tax

One of the most frequently discussed public policies are those related to taxes and changes to the tax code. Some say the tax code needs to do more to promote saving, and, therefore, there are big fans of relying more on the sales tax. But critics say the sales tax hits lower-income households harder. Is there a resolution between these two viewpoints? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden weighs in. 

Feb 9, 2012

Website for blackberry, raspberry growers wins award

N.C. MarketReady received the Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science Extension Blue Ribbon Communication Award for its Blackberry & Raspberry Growers Information Portal. 

Feb 9, 2012

Dueling income measures

Income is a major factor we use to judge economic progress, but are there alternative income measures and do they all show the same trends? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 8, 2012

Problems in unemployment insurance

Unemployment insurance is a government program that pays unemployed workers a monthly benefit, but with the recession and high unemployment running so long, the program faces problems. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 7, 2012

N.C. State helps agribusinesses gain $1.2 million in USDA grants

N.C. State University’s North Carolina Value-Added Cost Share (NCVACS) program provided more than $100,000 in matching funds to help N.C. agricultural producers apply for and secure nearly $1.2 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants. The USDA last week announced the recipients of its Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG), eight of which are N.C. businesses that were assisted by NCVACS. 

Feb 7, 2012

Freezing federal spending

Concern about the federal deficit and the debt is widespread. One simple proposal often offered to reduce the deficit is just to freeze federal spending at current levels. The idea is that as federal revenues rise the annual deficit, and ultimately the total debt, will fall. Is there any issue with this proposal? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Feb 6, 2012

Costs and benefits of homeowning

Home sales have improved. But they’re still 25 percent under pre-recessionary levels. The percentage of households renting is up. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says people are evaluating the buy-a-home versus rent decision differently today. 

Feb 3, 2012

Celebrating the work of life scientists

In this Winter 2012 issue, we turn to the College’s life sciences in recognition of the contributions and impacts those programs are making while bringing innovative solutions to the challenges facing our citizens locally, nationally and globally. 

Feb 3, 2012

Designing jet fuels of the future

Using micro-organisms able to survive in some of the most extreme environments on Earth, two CALS researchers are working to turn plants and algae into oil-producing factories efficient enough to help solve the problem of the world’s diminishing petroleum reserves.