CALS Magazine Spring 2017

How is CALS present in our state, nation and world — and why does it matter?

From The Dean

As I read through this issue of CALS Magazine, I have a song by great North Carolina musician James Taylor stuck in my head: You’ve Got A Friend.

When we say “CALS Is Here,” we mean a lot of things, but the most important is this: We’re here when you need us — and in a multitude of ways. Just scroll down or check out the print spread for some of our favorite recent examples.

Together, we have put CALS on a path to be present in grand challenges for generations.

Go Pack and Go CALS!

I Am CALS: Harry Palmer

Using only machetes, hoes and their bare hands, Harry Palmer and his squad of volunteers created a working farm in under two months for a Ghana school serving low-income students.

Male student helping build a farm for a school in Africa.

You’ve Got A Friend

Experts from industry, faculty, Extension, international programs and the student body gathered at Talley Student Union to hash out a complex question: How is CALS here and why does it matter?

Listen in

Dean Richard Linton gathers experts for a CALS Is Here roundtable discussion.

Helicopter lifting hay bale to animals on Cherry Research Farm in wake of Hurricane Matthew.

Saving a Research Station

As waters rose the day after Hurricane Matthew, Cherry Research Farm braced for devastation — and found a wave of support from across the state.

Extension pulled together to fight devastation in communities after Hurricane Matthew

Extension Kicks Into Overdrive

In the hardest-hit counties across the state after Hurricane Matthew, NC State Extension was — and continues to be — a key community resource.

Dean Richard Linton, Richard Bonanno and Sheri Schwab in the field helping with Hurricane Matthew cleanup.

The $100 Billion Club: Honoring Our Heroes

In the wake of the storm, a new “club” was created by N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and CALS Dean Richard Linton to celebrate everyday heroes.

What did state officials have to say?

Soldiers In The Field

Partnering with the College of Veterinary Medicine, NC State Extension helps provide hands-on farm animal training before U.S. soldiers deploy to countries with agricultural economies.

U.S. Army soldiers being trained in animal handling thanks to a partnership between CALS and CVM.

Houston, We Have Tomatoes

For more than two decades, CALS researchers have been working with NASA to develop food solutions for astronauts. The findings have implications not only for long-term space missions, but also for Earth-bound agriculture.

Ph.D. zoology researcher Elsita Keikebusch

Conserving Butterflies

Combining a passion for preservation with a love of insects, zoology Ph.D. student Elsita Kiekebusch studies how changes in climate are affecting the life cycles and development of butterflies.

Fighting Salmonella

Poultry Science graduate student Grayson Walker builds on his undergraduate quest: to eradicate salmonella bacteria in poultry. His success would benefit both industry and consumers.

Allie Crawley, Ph.D. student and CRISPR researcher

Building Better Probiotics

Functional Genomics Ph.D. student Allie Briner Crawley’s research with gene editing system CRISPR could have big implications for gut health and human disease.

CALS student Ryann Rossi studies mangroves

Saving Mangroves

Zoology Ph.D. student Ryann Rossi works to figure out and prevent mangrove die-offs that harm both economy and ecosystems.

Law And Order: Ag Unit

When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the most sweeping reform of food safety laws in nearly a century, North Carolina fruit and vegetable growers needed a hand adapting their operations. CALS faculty have been working with partners statewide to meet those needs.

CALS faculty and staff worked with legislators and growers to shape and implement policy.

Economic Oracle

Governors and growers, city councils and small businesses have sought the insights of Extension economist Mike Walden since he started his radio show in the late 1970s. And now he’s looking farther ahead than ever to the year 2050.

NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences professor Dr. Mike Walden working in a recording studio.

Bright Lights, Big City For Extension

Kristin Feierabend is NC State Extension’s first statewide urban area agent. What does that mean? She’s working with communities to decide.

Kristin Feierabend is NC State Extensionu2019s first statewide urban area agent. What does that mean? Sheu2019s working with communities to decide.

Top Of The Local Food Chain

It’s getting easier for North Carolinians to find fresh food from local farmers in grocery stores, restaurants, schools and farmers markets, thanks in part to CALS’ Center for Environmental Farming Systems.

A woman and her daughter peruse produce at the Farmers Market.

Digging In

Beneath your feet is a hidden world, vital for human survival. CALS scientists are digging deep to find solutions for everything from water quality to food security.

Executive Decisions

The Executive Farm Management Program gives farmers business training from experts, thanks in part to Johnny Barnes, a 1987 CALS graduate in agricultural economics.

Johnny Barnes and Bryan Salmons in a facility where sweet potatoes are packaged for sale.

#AgPackStrong — Sepideh Saidi

Founder of top civil engineering firm SEPI, CALS grad Sepideh Saidi has been named one of the top 20 CEOs in the Triangle – and a 2016 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year for the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

SEPI has worked with NC State since 2008, most recently on the Center for Technology and Innovation, completed in January 2017.

“When I first came to the United States, when my family sent me here to get my education, the intention was for me to go back to Iran. I was very passionate about doing anything that would help the underprivileged … and biological and agricultural engineering sounded like it could do much for the fabric of society.

“I learned a lot, but when I graduated, Iran had gone through its major revolution. … Everyone had left, it was chaos. … So the first job I got was at the North Carolina Department of Transportation. I went back and finished coursework at NC State to get a civil engineering degree as well.

“When I decided to start my business, it was partly because I felt I had to challenge myself. I say that to my staff and to my children — you always have opportunities to grow and evolve, and because of that, if you don’t want to stay stagnated, you will face many challenges.

“Depending on what phase you’re in, those challenges change…Right now, my biggest challenge is to make sure we recruit the right candidates for the right positions and create a healthy, supportive and positive work environment for our employees.”

CALS Magazine Spring 2017

From The Dean

I Am CALS: Harry Palmer

You’ve Got A Friend

CALS is here…when disaster strikes

Saving a Research Station

Extension Kicks Into Overdrive

The $100 Billion Club: Honoring Our Heroes

Soldiers In The Field

Houston, We Have Tomatoes

CALS Is Here … For The Future

Conserving Butterflies

Fighting Salmonella

Building Better Probiotics

Saving Mangroves

Law And Order: Ag Unit

Economic Oracle

Bright Lights, Big City For Extension

Top Of The Local Food Chain

Digging In

Executive Decisions

#AgPackStrong — Sepideh Saidi

Founder of top civil engineering firm SEPI, CALS grad Sepideh Saidi has been named one of the top 20 CEOs in the Triangle – and a 2016 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year for the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

SEPI has worked with NC State since 2008, most recently on the Center for Technology and Innovation, completed in January 2017.