News

May 25, 2012

Social Security problems

Each year the trustees of the Social Security system issue a report on the system’s financial condition. The 2012 report is out, and N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says the news it contains is not good. 

May 24, 2012

Specialists receive program awards

An individual specialist and a team were recognized for program excellence at the May 15 meeting of the N.C. Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists. Robert Bardon received the Individual Program Award and members of the Livestock/Forage Agent Training Conference team received the Team Award. 

May 24, 2012

Dean honors Awards of Excellence winners

Five College of Agriculture and Life Sciences staff members were honored recently with 2012 Awards of Excellence, which honors outstanding individual achievements and contributions to the CALS mission. The winners were honored during an awards luncheon in Raleigh May 18. 

May 24, 2012

The bio-economy

Recently the federal government outlined a strategy for developing and expanding something called the bio-economy. What exactly is the bio-economy, and why is it important? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

May 23, 2012

Extension offers advice on kudzu bugs

Homeowners and soybean growers in North Carolina are in for a surprise this year, as kudzu bugs continue their march across the Southeast. This invasive pest congregates en masse on home siding and legumes, like soybeans. 

May 23, 2012

2012 Dock of the Bay event is a seaside success

More than 300 guests enjoyed an evening of casual elegance May 5 at the ninth annual On the Dock of the Bay fund-raiser at the Eastern 4-H Environmental Education Conference Center in Columbia. 

May 23, 2012

Watching interest rates

Interest rates are one of the key factors in the economy. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden tells where they are now – and where they might be headed. 

May 22, 2012

CEFS receives regional Magrath Award

Two North Carolina land-grant universities affiliated with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) – N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University –were among those named regional winners of the C. Peter Magrath University Engagement Award for 2012, presented by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). 

May 22, 2012

A budget idea

Most people know the federal government has big budget issues, including the recent significant growth in the national debt. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden takes a look at one simple idea to address the budget that might have wide appeal. 

May 21, 2012

Smaller education gains

Since World War II generations in the United States have successively gotten better educated. Economists say this is a big factor in standard-of-living improvements over the last 60 years. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says this trend is beginning to change.