http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/ The newsletter of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences en Copyright 2009 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:33:00 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification The Academy for Teaching and Learning (ATL) at A&T has named Dr. Kenrett Jefferson-Moore, an assistant professor in the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education, as one of the co-recipients of its Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award for the 2007-08 academic year. Jefferson-Moore was honored along with the other co-recipient, Dr. Stephanie Luster-Teasley of the College of Engineering, at a luncheon in the Memorial Student Union’s Stallings ballroom on March 31. The Academy for Teaching and Learning works to encourage and recognize scholarly activities and effective teaching at A&T. The ATL’s nine-member advisory board includes representation from all of A&T’s schools and colleges. Dr. Doris Fultz of the Department of Animal Sciences is the current SAES representative on the ATL board.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/agribusiness-instruction-gets.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/agribusiness-instruction-gets.html Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:33:00 -0500 The SAES's Agricultural Research Program marked the loss of one of its founding fathers on July 14, with the passing of Dr. Sidney Evans Sr. Evans retired from the position of associate dean and director for the Agricultural Research Program in 1989, and it was under his leadership, in 1977, that the ARP was reorganized under the stipulations of the Evans-Allen Act. Evans' 33-year career at A&T also included three years as chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, and he served for 11 years as chair of the Department of Economics in what was then the School of Business and Economics. Evans was also a pioneer in international activities for A&T. Evans was inducted into Tuskegee University's George Washington Carver Public Service Hall Of Fame in 1986, and in 2000 he was one of the inductees for the SAES Hall of Fame. Evans was the recipient of achievement and service awards from the Southern Agricultural Economics Association, USDA's Cooperative State Research Service, the Committee on the Opportunities and Status of Blacks in Agricultural Economics, and the Greensboro News & Record.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/saes-mourns-passing-of-former.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/saes-mourns-passing-of-former.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:50:00 -0500 Campus electrical transformers are going to get a major upgrade the weekend of July 26 and 27, and the power will be off to all SAES facilities except C.H. Moore and the University Farm. The Department of Information Technology (DoIT) is asking that SAES faculty and staff shut off all computers, printers and other electrical devices before leaving campus on Friday, July 25. Another DoIT advisory affects all SAES faculty and staff: all information technology services -- including email -- will be unavailable while the power is off for the transformer upgrade. If you've got an important email to send on Friday, July 25, don't put it off with plans to get to it over the weekend.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/surge-protection-the-ag-edispa.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/surge-protection-the-ag-edispa.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:47:00 -0500 Dr. Valerie Giddings has assumed responsibility as chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Giddings comes to the SAES from Winston-Salem State University, where her administrative experience included the position of associate vice chancellor for lifelong learning. Giddings' resume also includes experience in administration at Virginia Tech., where she served as an associate dean in the College of Human Resources. Her background also includes experience as a member of the art department faculty at Winston-Salem State, and as an associate professor in clothing and textiles at Virginia Tech.
Giddings received her doctorate and master's degree from Virginia Tech., and her bachelor's degree from Bennett College. Her publications listing includes articles summarizing research into sociological and demographic implications of clothing and textile trends, and she is also the author of studies of initiatives for recruiting and retaining faculty from racial and ethnic groups that are traditionally under-represented on college and university faculties.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/family-and-consumer-sciences-h.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/family-and-consumer-sciences-h.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:45:00 -0500 The early bird registration cutoff has been extended to Aug. 15 for the North Carolina Association of Extension Program Assistants, Associates and Technicians (NCAEPAAT) annual conference in Hickory Aug. 18 - 20.  The early bird registration fee for members is $80 before the cutoff and $90 thereafter. For nonmembers the rates are $100 before Aug. 15 and $120 after.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/early-bird-edge-gets-extension.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/early-bird-edge-gets-extension.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:44:00 -0500 The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Project has an Oct. 1 deadline for grant applications from individual producers, community groups and farm support organizations in Alexander, Beaufort, Burke, Caldwell, Caswell, Craven, Cumberland, Davidson, Forsyth, Greene, Guilford, Harnett, Iredell, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, McDowell, Nash, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Wayne, Wilkes, and Wilson counties. Grants of up to $10,000 to individuals and $20,000 to groups and organizations will be awarded for proposals with potential to fill the farm income void resulting from lost tobacco revenue in the 24-county region. Projects involving products, services and on-farm resources are eligible, along with new crops and innovative farm-based enterprises. To qualify, producers must be full- or part-time farmers who were depending on tobacco crops for a significant amount of their farm income coming at the time of the Master Settlement Agreement (crop years 1997 and 1998). Community groups must include farmers from the target counties and have farmers active in group leadership. The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Project also has an on-farm demonstration funding program for farmers under 40, regardless whether or not they are former tobacco farmers. The requirements are that applicants have at least three years of farming experience, and be a resident of one of the following counties: Burke, Caldwell, Caswell, Cumberland, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, McDowell, Wayne or Wilson.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/funds-for-former-tobacco-farme.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/funds-for-former-tobacco-farme.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:42:00 -0500 Two members of the Cooperative Extension faculty retired recently with 81 years of service between them. Dr. Thelma Feaster retired from the position of personal and organizational development leader after 42 years with Extension, and Sheilda Sutton retired after 39 years of Extension work. On Tuesday, Aug. 12. Feaster and Sutton will be honored at a luncheon in Stallings Ballroom that will begin at noon. The cost is $25 per person. To make a reservation, contact Anita Wright by Thursday, July 30. (Make checks or money orders payable to North Carolina A&T University Foundation and reference Feaster/Sutton retirement in the memo field.)]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/spotlight-on-81-years-of-exten.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/spotlight-on-81-years-of-exten.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:38:00 -0500 The American Sheep and Goat Center (ASGC) is accepting proposals for $200,000 in competitive grants for a program that includes animal health, producer information, and genetic research. Although individual producers are ineligible for grants, most awards in previous funding cycles have gone for research projects led by land-grant institutions and producer groups. The deadline for proposal submissions is 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/crystal-ball-grazing-the-ag-ed.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/crystal-ball-grazing-the-ag-ed.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:34:00 -0500 There will be a workshop on media relations for Cooperative Extension personnel (stationed at A&T, on the N.C. State campus and at county Extension centers) from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13. The workshop will be accessible at downlink facilities at Appalachian State, Elizabeth City State, East Carolina, N.C. State University, the Hickory Metro Center, the Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center near Plymouth, UNC Pembroke, UNC-Asheville, UNC-Wilmington and Winston-Salem State University. The guest speaker for the workshop will be Linda Williams, a senior editor for the Raleigh News & Observer. The Extension Learning Management System is now geared up for online registrations. Members of county Extension staffs who attend one of the marketing workshop downlinks and return home with some new ideas for marketing programs and activities will find added online support for their enthusiasm now available in the "Toolkit" of templates that Extension's marketing team has put together. Recent additions to the "Toolkit" include table tent, newsletter and conference display templates.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/price-of-gas-adds-to-lure-of-d.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/price-of-gas-adds-to-lure-of-d.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:29:00 -0500 Small Farms Field Day at the University Farm is set for Thursday, Aug. 7.  To register, contact Andrea Brooks, 336.334.7957. On Aug. 7, check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Extension specialists and research scientists will discuss several research projects with profitable potential for small farms. This field day agenda includes new varieties of bell peppers, pastured swine, using GPS for production management, on-farm biodiesel production, biosecurity considerations for beef cattle marketing, organic vegetable production and prepping produce for direct marketing. Dr. Keith Baldwin, Cooperative Extension's program leader for agriculture and natural resources, is coordinating the 2008 Small Farms Field Day at the University Farm.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/small-farm-field-day-only-a-fe.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/small-farm-field-day-only-a-fe.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:26:00 -0500 USDA recently announced $28.4 million in funding for research and Extension projects that will "address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address needs of specific crops." The program has five focus areas: 1) plant breeding, genetics and genomics research; 2) addressing pests and diseases; 3) mechanization and technologies — especially those that delay or inhibit ripening; 4) improvements in production efficiency and profitability; and 5) detection, monitoring and control of food safety hazards in the production and processing of specialty crops. The deadline for proposals is Thursday, Aug. 14.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/farm-bill-funding-for-research.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/farm-bill-funding-for-research.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:08:00 -0500 Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer paid a visit to Capitol Hill in late June to announce a new national 4-H initiative. Oct. 8 is going to be "National Youth Science Day" across the United States, and students, teachers and parents will be joining six million 4-H'ers in a designated science activity. Details of the experiment will be announced later this summer. "National Youth Science Day" is a part of 4-H's new public service campaign that has a lofty goal of getting a million more youths participating in 4-H science, engineering, and technology programs by the year 2013. "National Youth Science Day" is also a response to a report issued by the National Academy of Sciences, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm" which concludes that the future of U.S. competitiveness rests largely on the country's ability to train more scientists and engineers. Dr. Claudette Smith, The Cooperative Extension Program at A&T's program leader for family and consumer sciences and 4-H, is urging all members of the SAES faculty and staff who might not be fully familiar with 4-H to pay a visit to the organization's national website while information on 4-H science, engineering and technology is front and center. There's a video clip from FOX Business — an interview with a 4-H'er and the president of National 4-H Council — that provides some food for thought about networking potential for 4-H and other SAES programs and activities.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/good-time-for-fox-hunt-the-ag.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/good-time-for-fox-hunt-the-ag.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:07:00 -0500 There is an Aug. 1 deadline for paper and presentation proposals for a national educational technology symposium that the Texas Computer Education Association will be hosting in Austin in February 2009. The deadline for submitting papers is Aug. 1. Submissions should be no longer than eight pages, and suited to a 20-minute presentation at the symposium. The short-list of 34 "possible paper topics" includes cultural attitudes and technology, online learning, gender and diversity issues, Web-based instruction and women in technology.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/fourtoeight-singlespaced-pages.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/fourtoeight-singlespaced-pages.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:05:00 -0500 The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design's application deadline for the position of department chairperson is Aug. 1. Applicants must have a doctorate or terminal degree in environmental, soil or plant sciences; agronomy; horticulture; landscape architecture; agricultural or biological engineering; or a related field. Administrative experience in an institution of higher education is required. Applicants also should possess a distinguished record of research, teaching and scholarly achievement.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/applications-accepted-until-au.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/applications-accepted-until-au.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:04:00 -0500 High school students are now feeling added pressure to get their college planning under way in their junior and sophomore years, and that pressure often translates into a spike in inquiries from prospective students in late summer. SAES faculty and staff should have the "Cultivating Potential" portal bookmarked so the URL is loaded and ready to go when inquiries from prospective Aggies come their way. The "Cultivating Potential" website also has links to University admission requirements and financial aid programs, as well as links to SAES programs and career opportunities that SAES degrees can lead to. Another recruiting URL to keep handy right now is the Amtrak Campus Visit Discount promotion, which will continue through Dec. 8. Parents and guardians of high school juniors and seniors can get a ticket for half-off when traveling to prospective college campuses on Amtrak routes. And here are five URLs to have handy as students start returning to campus in August, and assistance that will further SAES student retention needs to be loaded and ready to go: The U.S. Department of Education has a budget calculator to help students determine expenses and weigh them against estimated available income.
There's a transportation cost calculator available when a car deal is under consideration. One of A&T's sister schools in the UNC system, Appalachian State, has a GPA calculator for quick answers to questions about the potential impact of course grades on overall GPAs. There's an online calculator for comparing the apartment and home rental rates in Greensboro with surrounding cities. The online exchange portal for used books, abebooks.com has gone into the textbook business. A starting point for five other online sources for used textbooks is Snagabook.com. And MSN has a website with an interactive map that will be of keen interest to every student with a car. Go to the website, enter a zip code, et voilà:  gas stations that currently have the cheapest prices per gallon in that locale.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/urls-for-keeping-recruitment-a.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/07/urls-for-keeping-recruitment-a.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:02:00 -0500