This year’s SSAWG conference will have eight tracks of conference sessions, covering current issues in sustainable production and direct marketing for horticultural and livestock producers. There will also be programs and workshops devoted to enterprise management and community food systems development. ]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/sare-sharing.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/sare-sharing.html Cooperative Extension SAES Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:30:58 -0500 Dr. Anthony Yeboah and John Paul Owens of the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education are project co-directors for a Capacity Building Grant, announced in the fall of 2007, that provides SAES students with scholarships for study abroad, and also funding to help defray the costs of airfare, passports, visas, vaccinations, health insurance, and other costs associated with international travel. In the summer of 2008, nine SAES students were able to add international study experiences to their academic portfolios with funding support from this grant. Academic enrichment destinations included Italy, Greece, Australia, Cost Rica, Great Britain and France.

Applications are now being accepted from SAES students who would like to apply for study abroad scholarships for the summer of 2009.  Students receiving scholarship funds are expected to complete a project or course related to one of the six major goals in the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension System’s (CSREES) Strategic Plan. The CSREES Strategic Plan’s six major goals are augmented with 13 specific objectives that should give students some concrete guidance in proposing an international study experience that meets criteria.

SAES faculty members who know of students who might be interested in international enrichment next summer should consider adding a couple of sentences to holiday greetings: include a reminder about the study abroad scholarships, and a hint that the holiday break will be a great time to research international study possibilities for a course or project proposal.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/winter-break-a-good-time-to-mu.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/winter-break-a-good-time-to-mu.html Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:29:24 -0500 Raleigh TV station WRAL recently produced and aired a documentary, hosted by news anchor Bill Leslie, on the controversies concerning offshore drilling and alternatives to fossil fuels in North Carolina. One of the experts who was asked to weigh in on the current status and long-range potential for biofuel supplements for the state’s energy needs was Dr. Abolghasem Shahbazi, an SAES research scientist. The WRAL documentary on North Carolina’s energy issues, "Focal Point: Power Shift," is available for view on the WRAL website, and the Shahbazi segment begins at about 7:48 into the video.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/raleigh-tv-station-gets-saes-r.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/raleigh-tv-station-gets-saes-r.html Natural Resources and Environmental Design SAES Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:28:05 -0500 The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is making funding available for six workshops or programs in support of sustainable agriculture next year, and the CEFS is encouraging county Extension personnel to submit proposals. Grants of up to $500 will be awarded to support such expenses as speaker honorariums, tour bus rentals, handouts, and supplies for demonstrations. The list of suggested sustainable ag. topics that will get the attention of the selection committee include farm energy use assessments, beneficial insects in vegetable production, transitioning to organic production, and farmers market and roadside stand guidance.

Those interested in applying for funding for a sustainable ag. workshop or program should send a brief description of their proposal to Dr. Steve Washburn by Dec. 15. Proposal briefs should include a budget and a date for the workshop or program.

The CEFS is also working on a statewide action plan for building local food economies: a plan will that will outline specific steps for the roles of government agencies, universities, and public policy decisions in tightening the food-supply connections between producers and consumers in North Carolina. The  plan for building local food economies will incorporate recommendations for new farmers markets, farm incubator programs, youth gardening education and health and nutrition projects. The final installment in the series of regional meetings for public feedback and concerns will be Thursday, Dec.15, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Greenville.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/cefs-looking-for-grant-applica.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/cefs-looking-for-grant-applica.html Cooperative Extension Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:26:18 -0500 On Feb. 17, 2009, all full-power TV stations in the U.S. will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. This transition, which will require a new converter box for those receiving their TV signals though antennas, will undoubtedly catch many households unprepared despite the advance publicity that has been devoted to it.  Because of the role that TV broadcasts have come to play In emergency preparedness and crisis  communications, retirees and residents of rural  areas are of particular concern to the agencies coordinating the changeover from analog to digital, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service has been asked by the Department of Commerce and the FCC to gear up county Extension centers to assist with questions and concerns that come in regarding the changeover from analog to digital TV reception. The Department of Commerce has a website that covers all the nuts and bolts of TV reception come Feb. 17. But if your holiday rounds bring you in contact with anyone who is not only out of the loop and unprepared, but also living in a household without Internet connectivity, remember to advise them that help is also as close as a phone call to their county Extension center.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/response-is-extension-when-tv.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/response-is-extension-when-tv.html Communications Corner Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:20:47 -0500 Dr. Donald McDowell, interim dean for the SAES, has been named to the 34-member  AgBiotech Steering Committee that will be co-chaired by former Gov. Jim Hunt. According to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the steering committee is, “A who's who list of political, educational and industrial leaders from across the state [that will] help create a plan to grow North Carolina's biotechnology and agricultural industries.” The committee will be looking at strategies to ensure that biotechnology both strengthens and enriches North Carolina's agricultural heritage, and it will have work groups assigned to six areas: crops, trees and biomass; farming and rural advantage;  animals; aquaculture and marine; niche, specialty and value added crops; and issues, policies and implications. A report from the committee is scheduled to be submitted to the General Assembly and other groups next spring.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/mcdowell-named-to-agbiotech-st.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/mcdowell-named-to-agbiotech-st.html Academic Departments SAES Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:19:03 -0500 A&T's Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management has a series of "Aggie Nite" recruitment receptions scheduled for high school students in January and February.  Aggie Nites are scheduled for: Winston-Salem, Jan 20; Charlotte, Jan. 22; Washington, Jan. 29; Durham, Feb. 5; Roanoke Rapids, Feb 11; Greenville, Feb 12; and Fayetteville, Feb 14. Starting time for all Aggie Nites is 7 p.m. If you know of high school students who might be interested in attending an Aggie Nite (and finding out more about SAES degrees and academic programs), direct their attention to the online registration form.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/cultivate-potential.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/cultivate-potential.html SAES University Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:17:57 -0500 The American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC) has set Dec. 15 as the deadline for letters of intent for those planning to submit nominations for ADEC’s 2009 Webb-Godfrey-Hill Award. The award is named to honor two former SAES deans, Drs. Burleigh Webb and Daniel Godfrey, along with Dr. Walter Hill, dean of the College of Agriculture, Environmental, and Natural Sciences at Tuskegee University, for their work to get 1890 land grants involved in online learning and other distance education technologies. The award honors teams and individuals for contributions to distance learning methodologies at 1890 land grants, and the winning team or individual will receive a plaque and $2,000.

Dec. 15 is also the proposal deadline for  ADEC’s Award of Excellence in College and University Distance Education, which  recognizes distance education programs (at A&T and other ADEC member-institutions) that are innovative and have made an impact. With the award comes a $5,000 cash prize for the winning team or individual. Nominees can come from teaching, research or Extension.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/dec-15-deadline-for-adec-dista.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/dec-15-deadline-for-adec-dista.html Academic Departments SAES University Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:15:41 -0500 The application deadline for the 2009 USDA 1890 Scholars Program is Sunday, Feb. 15. If you know of high-achieving high school seniors who might be interested, send them the URL for the program’s Web page along with a reminder about the Feb. 15 deadline (and maybe some gentle encouragement to take care of their application over the holiday break). For students selected as 1890 Scholars, USDA pays full tuition and fees for them to attend one of the 1890 institutions for four years, and the 1890 they attend gives them free room and board. USDA 1890 Scholars also receive employment with a USDA agency (and employee benefits) during each of the years they are working toward a bachelor's degree.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/1890-scholars-deadline-is-midf.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/1890-scholars-deadline-is-midf.html Academic Departments SAES University Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:14:12 -0500 Two of the three individuals honored with what has come to be known as “North Carolina’s Nobel Prize” have connections to The Cooperative Extension Program at A&T that shed additional light on their qualifications for the  Z. Smith Reynolds Foundations’ 2009 Nancy Susan Reynolds Awards. Dr. Phyllis Crain, executive director of the Crossnore School, was an accommodating administrator who helped the Ag. Communications and Technology staff in an article for the 2004 issue of Solutions for North Carolina that showcased an adaptation of A&T Extension’s “Mini Society” youth entrepreneurship program to meet the needs of children from troubled backgrounds. Another winner of the 2009 Nancy Susan Reynolds Awards is Benny Bunting, a Martin County farm who has become a national advocate and advisor, “helping[ing] farmers manage the ups and down of growing and market conditions.” News coverage of Bunting’s award notes that he “first learned [of various programs offering assistance to farmers] when he was fighting for his own farm,” a fight that had A&T Extension in his corner early on. Bunting was one of 50 small-scale producers selected for the “Ways to Grow” program, which, in the late 1990s,  used  funding from  the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, to provide farmers with technical and marketing advice for development of specialty crops.  Bunting  used his Ways to Grow grant to convert buildings used for swine production to shiitake mushroom facilities, and to add aquaculture to his farm’s production mix.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/two-of-three-2008-honorees-hav.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/two-of-three-2008-honorees-hav.html Communications Corner Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:12:47 -0500 Small-scale farmers who would like to apply for funding support for lodging, meals and waiver of registration fees for Small Farms Week activities on campus have until Jan. 16, 2009 to get their applications in. Applicants must rely on farming for at least 50 percent of annual gross income.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/midjanuary-next-small-farms-we.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/midjanuary-next-small-farms-we.html Cooperative Extension Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:59:17 -0500 The two finalists for the position of farm management and marketing specialist with The Cooperative Extension Program at A&T will be presenting seminars on Tuesday, Jan. 6.  Dr. Marcus Comer, currently a member of the Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education faculty, will begin his seminar at 9:45 a.m. Dr. Carlos Mayen Solorzano, currently a graduate research assistant at Purdue University, will begin his seminar at noon. ]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/finalists-for-farm-management.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/finalists-for-farm-management.html Cooperative Extension Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:58:29 -0500 There will be three public forums for stakeholder input into a comprehensive new plan for modernizing the state’s 18 agricultural research stations and managing them with greater efficiency and effectiveness. The second of the three regional public forums will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Commons Building at the Wake County Office Park. The third and final meeting in the series will be Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Mountain Research Station near Waynesville, and this meeting will begin at 1 p.m.]]> http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/new-plan-for-state-research-st.html http://www.ag.ncat.edu/agedispatch/2008/12/new-plan-for-state-research-st.html Agricultural Research Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:57:25 -0500