Author: Dee Shore

Jun 22, 2015

Beef tour attracts large crowd to Franklin County

More than 110 people came out to a Cooperative Extension beef tour that’s become a summer tradition in the North Carolina’s Piedmont. The Five-County Beef Tour took visitors to farms representing the diversified nature of North Carolina cattle operations. 

Jun 22, 2015

Stimulus spending for education

The federal stimulus program implemented during the recession spent a significant portion of the funds on public education. Do we have any information on how schools spent these funds? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

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 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 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 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? 

Jun 5, 2015

CALS student heads to El Salvador

Helping poor farmers in Latin America develop effective soil management strategies is the goal of CALS crop science student Angel Cruz, who will be working this summer, courtesy of a Fulbright Fellowship and a Borlaug Fellowship, in El Salvador. 

Jun 5, 2015

Extension Master Gardeners blaze virtual trail with radio show

The first radio show in the nation to be produced solely by Cooperative Extension Master Gardener volunteers celebrates its one-year anniversary this month. The show, also available online, is produced by Durham County Master Gardeners. 

Jun 3, 2015

Beef cattle field day set for Mountain Research Station

North Carolina’s annual Beef Cattle Field Day takes place July 18 at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville. The event, designed for cattle producers and those interested in cattle production, will feature research-based educational sessions focusing on forage management, reproduction and nutrition.