Black History Month

Feb 21, 2024

CALS Alumna is Carving Her Own Path

A dedicated scientist whose expertise focuses on peanuts and peanut allergies, Ondulla Toomer has built a career focused on opening doors and making a difference in the lab and beyond. 

Feb 13, 2024

Envisioning a More Equitable Food System

Doctoral candidate Christopher Gillespie is dedicated to finding solutions that create stronger, more racially equitable food systems. 

Jun 7, 2023

Black Farmers Address Mental Health and Find Strength in Community

Black farmers like Temika Parker find that building social support networks is critical to circumventing systemic inequities in the farming industry and improving their mental health. 

Mar 8, 2023

High Degree of Influence

Nannette Smith was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. from NC State in 1973. What happened before and after she earned her doctorate in plant pathology? We caught up with her to find out. 

Feb 21, 2023

Distance Education, Closer Connections

Deidra Craig, CALS’ distance education coordinator, is passionate about sharing knowledge through online learning programs and social media. 

Feb 15, 2023

Finding Your Niche

On this episode of Farms, Food and You, Doris and Donald Kidd — some of the few producers of elephant garlic in the state — share what it means to be a niche farmer and how the Black Farmers Market helped them expand their scope. 

Feb 14, 2023

Bringing Black Culture to the Table

As the first Black male to serve as a family and consumer sciences Extension agent in Union County, Marcus McFarland is teaching people to honor their culture as they build healthy habits. 

Feb 1, 2023

Javian McMillan: Challenge Yourself, Find Community

As a North Carolina FFA State Officer, Javian McMillan inspires other students to trust their instincts and follow their dreams. It’s advice the Goodnight Scholar, animal science major and aspiring veterinarian takes to heart. 

Nov 7, 2022

Tradition Meets Innovation

Fueled by their father’s passion for agriculture, Ruthie and DJ Stokes are keeping a family promise: do what you love. The fourth-generation farmers have found common ground in supporting producers back home and feeding a growing population. 

Jun 1, 2022

I AM CALS: Dannica Wall

Dannica Wall never imagined she’d make history one day. But the NC State University graduate student and staff member is on track to do just that when she becomes the first Black female at NC State to earn a Ph.D. in poultry science.