Our Rural Future

Spring 2018 Issue

Telling The Stories of Rural NC

Across the state, eyes are on rural North Carolina — especially when it comes to education. For this issue, we’ve gathered a few of our most inspiring students and staff to tell rural stories through the eyes of those who know them best: the people who live and work there.

Join us on our journey from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Currituck Sound, telling the stories of rural North Carolina — and CALS. Just scroll down, or check out our digital publication.

Go Pack and Go CALS!

— Richard Linton, Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

This Is Sparta

Some students from rural areas see college as their ticket out of country life, but Alleghany County native David Cox is fighting to go back and stay.

CALS Animal Science Major David Cox from Sparta in Freedom of Experession Tunnel NCSU

From Factory Floor To Honors Student

First-generation college student Selena Ibarra found her own way from the factory floor to her current role: senior at CALS and college application advisor to her 10 younger siblings.

CALS student Selena Ibarra at Hickory Nut Farm in Buncombe County.

Labor Intensive: Extension Agent Andrea Gibbs Perseveres

With the birth of her first baby weeks away, Extension Agent Andrea Gibbs is still on the job covering 1,000 square miles of farmland more than an hour from the nearest hospital.

Faster Answers For Cattle Farmers

Science-based solutions are reaching North Carolina’s beef cattle producers quicker, thanks to recent changes at the state’s agricultural research stations.

Cattle on Joey Clawson's Watauga County farm outside Boone.

You Tell Us

We asked CALS friends and stakeholders across the state: What do you want to see in rural North Carolina’s future? How can CALS help?

CALS alum Archie Griffin on the family farm.

Conservation Pioneer Leaves
Lasting Legacy

NC State philanthropist and early conservationist William Stevens helped hundreds of students attend CALS, and his nephew, former NC Senator Richard Stevens, understands the real meaning of conservation.

Army Officer (And Food Science Senior) Mario Lopez

Seventeen years after completing basic training, Warrant Officer Mario Lopez received his newest assignment: first-year student in the Department of Food, Bioengineering and Nutrition Sciences at CALS.

Food Science Student Mario Lopez in Army Uniform, Korea 2004

Developing Wisdom For Med School: Tin Phan

Tin Phan is a Goodnight Scholar who volunteers for multiple nonprofit organizations, serves on student councils for global health and Operation Smile, and still finds time to coach youth soccer.

Working With The Tribe

When Maddie Ciszewski graduated from CALS in 2017, she jumped right in to her new job: agricultural Extension agent in Cherokee, the only office in the state that works directly with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

CALS alum and Extension agent Maddie Ciszewski

CALS Poultry Science Alum Diego Bohorquez Gives a TED Talk

Poultry Science Alum On Gut-Brain Linkages

The TED Fellows program tapped Diego Bohu00f3rquez to give a talk in 2017. Bohu00f3rquezu2019s work examines how the relationship between the gut and the brain can be used to modulate behavioral disorders.

How to Give a TED Talk

New CALS Entrepreneurship series of classes

Real-World Problems, Meet Your Solutions

New class series transforms students into experienced, savvy business-starters and trouble-shooters.

Growing Entrepreneurs

Eleanor Spicer Rice, CALS alum, author and ant expert

The Secret Worlds Of Spiders And Ants

CALS alum Eleanor Spicer Rice teams with Applied Ecology’s Rob Dunn to explore and enthrall with true tales of the tiny and many-legged.

Read About Eleanor

Windell (right) and Judy Talley greet Dean Richard Linton and other CALS faculty and administration before the start of the turkey unit dedication.

Talley-ing Up The Turkey Unit

Thanks to a visionary gift from the Talley family, the newly named Windell and Judy Talley Turkey Education Unit will boast broad improvements.

Talley-ing Up Turkeys