News

Dec 1, 2011

Report favors access to processing plant data

A report from an expert committee convened by the National Research Council at the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture came out in favor of public access to the voluminous data gathered by the department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on individual meat and egg processors. The committee was chaired by Dr. Lee-Ann Jaykus, N.C. State professor of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences. 

Dec 1, 2011

Nickels for Know-How referendum passes with overwhelming vote

Described as a self-help program for farmers, Nickels for Know-How is a 60-year-old voluntary assessment on feed and fertilizer produced and purchased in North Carolina. On Nov. 16, the Nickels referendum passed with a whopping 96 percent of the vote. 

Dec 1, 2011

Looking ahead to Christmas selling

It’s well known that the Christmas buying season is a make or break time for many businesses. How strong will buying be this year? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden provides his outlook. 

Nov 30, 2011

N.C. State, Monsanto celebrate $500,000 fund for Plant Breeding and Advanced Analytics Fellows program

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University and Monsanto Company announced today a $500,000 grant to train the next generation of plant breeding professionals. 

Nov 30, 2011

Public poinsettia open house set for Sunday

Nearly 100 different cultivars of poinsettias will be on display from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday Dec. 4 at N.C. State University's JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. Stop by to see the 9' tall poinsettia tree, enjoy poinsettia gardens and decorated poinsettias and help decide which poinsettias are North Carolina's favorites. 

Nov 30, 2011

Operation Twist

The Federal Reserve’s policies are always of interest, because they play such a key role in the economy. Recently the Fed ended one program called QE2 and began a new one termed Operation Twist. What have they stopped doing and what are they now doing instead? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Nov 29, 2011

ESP presents awards at annual meeting

North Carolina’s Xi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi professional development society presented awards to Extension professionals at its annual meeting in Raleigh Nov. 17. Award winners, along with a description from their nominations, are listed here. 

Nov 29, 2011

Unfilled jobs

There are a reported 3.2 million job openings in the country. With the total number of unemployed people at 14 million, we might think these openings wouldn’t last long. But they have. N.C. State University economists points out the possible reasons. 

Nov 28, 2011

Former CALS alumni group president receives national FFA honor

Richard H. Brooks, a three-term president of N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Alumni and Friends Society, received the American FFA Degree during the 84th National FFA Convention, held Oct. 21-23 in Indianapolis. The award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment. 

Nov 28, 2011

A changed consumer

A couple of years ago, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden said the recession we were experiencing was going to change consumer habits: out would be the heavy borrowing and spending, and in would be saving and frugality. Was he right?