Look and listen, but don't stop

Members of the SAES faculty and staff whose summer professional obligations or family vacation schedule kept them from attending Dean Alton Thompson's back-to-school address at the school-wide meeting on Aug. 11 can catch up on what's in store for the academic year ahead by listening to the dean's address here.

At the SAES academic year kickoff, Dr. Thompson encouraged all faculty and staff to take a look at a new interactive feature on the SAES Web page. It's an SAES online forum, set up for faculty and staff to discuss topics of concern and top priority issues facing the SAES. Dr. Terrence Thomas has helped inaugurate the forum with some thoughts on the SAES faculty's roles in student recruitment, retention and graduation rates. To get in on the discussion of student recruitment, retention and graduation rates, simply click here.

Posted 4:11 PM | Comments (2)

Reading 'n' writing 'n' stress relief

The SAES is collecting back-to-school supplies for children at Washington Elementary School. Please bring all donations to the B wing of the C. H. Moore Agricultural Research facility. Donations will be collected through Monday, Aug. 22. In addition to conventional school supplies such as pens, crayons and book bags, the request list from Washington also includes educational games on CDs, bottled water, stress relief squeeze balls, plastic storage bins and some other items you might run across during a visit to a store not ordinarily associated with school supplies. For the complete supply list, click here.

Posted 4:10 PM | Comments (0)

Nada podía ser más fino que estar en Carolina

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension System is collaborating with the Center for International Understanding to offer advanced training to 50 Extension agents for their work with the state's growing Latino population. The training for Extension agents will be at the Brownstone Hotel in Raleigh Sept. 19-21. A second phase of this initiative will send 25 of the Extension agents who complete the September training to Mexico for a week in March, 2006, for in-depth study of the cultural, political, social and economic background of the migrants and immigrants coming to North Carolina from Mexico. Complete details are in a memo located here.

Posted 4:09 PM | Comments (1)

Conflict resolutions

No later than Friday, Aug. 20, all SAES SPA employees should have their annual "Annual Conflict of Interest Certification" form completed and at the dean's office. And all EPA employees should have an "EPA - Annual Conflict of Interest/Commitment Statement" at the dean's office by Aug. 20. The forms are available at the Division of Business & Finance's forms page, http://businessfinance.ncat.edu/FORMS%20LIST.htm.

Posted 4:07 PM | Comments (0)

Farm Bill feedback

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and other senior USDA officials are conducting a series of public forums across the country for input on the development of the 2007 Farm Bill. One of A&T's sister 1890 Institutions, Tuskegee University, was recently added to the list of forum sites. The Farm Bill forum there will start at noon and continue until 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25.

 

USDA is asking for forum participants to focus on one or more of the following questions:

1. How should farm policy address any unintended consequences and ensure that such consequences do not discourage new farmers and the next generation of farmers from entering production agriculture?

2. How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness and our country's ability to effectively compete in global markets?

3. How should farm policy be designed to effectively and fairly distribute assistance to producers?

4. How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental goals?

5. How can federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance in rural areas?

6. How should agricultural product development, marketing and research-related issues be addressed in the next farm bill?

 

Responses to these questions can also be sent to headquarters electronically. The online response form is here .

Posted 4:06 PM | Comments (0)

Front-liners headed to Winston

It's not too late to get in on the NC Association of Extension Program Assistants, Associates and Technician's annual conference, set for Winston-Salem's Hawthorne Inn (near Baptist Hospital) Aug. 22-24. Walk-in registration will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, and the conference's opening session will begin at 1 p.m. For a look at the conference agenda, click here.

Posted 4:04 PM | Comments (0)

Voices from mountains to sea

Dr. Michelle Eley, Extension's community and economic development specialist, has a one-day training program for county Extension staff members interested in using the "Community Voices" leadership development curriculum with local groups. Eley will be offering "Building a Base of Trained Leaders" at the:

· Vernon James Research and Extension Center in Plymouth, on Tuesday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

· Guilford County Extension Center on Monday, Aug. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

· Broyhill Conference Center in Boone on Tuesday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

To register for any of the three "Community Voices" training programs via Extension's interim Learning Management (iLS) system, start at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/pods/. For additional information on the training, contact Eley at mleley@ncat.edu.

Posted 4:03 PM | Comments (0)

Community calendar

There's a Sept. 10 deadline for workshop and research presentations for the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) conference in San Antonio Feb. 13-16. The organization, composed of county- and state-level Extension professionals from across the United States, is looking for skill building and training workshops, project success-story and program curriculum presentations, research papers and poster sessions. For a listing of the eight tracks that will be the conference focus, visit the http://srdc.msstate.edu/nacdep/confs/2006/proposal.htm.

 

The Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program and the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) has a grant program for projects that strengthen both agriculture and communities by connecting sustainable agriculture to community development. County Extension centers, farm support organizations, and community development agencies (local, state and regional) are eligible to apply for SARE/SRDC "Sustainable Community Innovation Grants" of up to $10,000. The deadline for proposals is Sept. 1. All proposals must be submitted online, http://www.ciids.org/sare/scig/.

Posted 4:02 PM | Comments (0)

Meating new challenges

Livestock production has changed dramatically for small-scale producers in the Southeast in recent years. Stronger government regulations and the trend toward consolidation in the meat-packing industries have led to a marked decline in local processing facilities that small-scale producers depended on. In cooperation with The Cooperative Extension Program at A&T, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is offering a comprehensive train-the-trainers program Sept. 13-15. The objective is to give Extension agents and other farm-support personnel an overview of the meat processing regulations, marketing options and farm management issues that now dictate the parameters for livestock production on small farms. For registration and complete details, visit the "Producer Managed Marketing of Livestock Products" on the SAES Web site at http://www.ag.ncat.edu/sare/welcome.htm.

Posted 4:01 PM | Comments (0)

Analytical addition

Dr. Vestel Shirley's Analytical Services Laboratory is now equipped with a Nicolet Impact 400 Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The FTIR, donated by Lorillard Tobacco Company, makes it possible to identify vibrationally active subunits of a molecule from its absorption and transmission of infrared radiation. One potential upgrade for this instrument is an FTIR microscope, which would then allow researchers to focus a beam of infrared light on a sample of hair, plant leaf, or section of animal organ only a few square microns in surface area. This would in turn make possible the "tracking" of a chemical in different parts of the biological specimen. Dr. Shirley would welcome the opportunity to discuss the FTIR's potential roles in current research projects and proposals for research funding with SAES researchers. To get the ball rolling, contact him at shirleyv@ncat.edu.

Posted 3:54 PM | Comments (0)

Ruminant resource

Martha Mobley, an agricultural Extension agent with the Franklin County Extension Center, is coordinating two days of workshops and a trade show for goat and sheep producers at the Wake Commons Conference Center in Raleigh August 23-24. The workshop lineup includes sessions covering consumer trends, health management, predator control and other issues of equal interest to farmers already involved in small ruminant production and those thinking about testing the waters alike. The registration fee for participants is $75. The complete conference itinerary is at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/copubs/ag/livestock/005/, and the online registration form is at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/copubs/ag/livestock/003/.

Mobley's work to establish the goat-meat co-op (http://www.ordergoat.com/index.htm) has received considerable statewide and national attention for successfully blending the tastes of the growing Latino population in Wake and adjoining counties to fit the needs of small-scale farmers looking for alternatives to tobacco. The initial seed-money for her research-based Extension outreach came from a 2001 grant from The Cooperative Extension Program at A&T.

Posted 3:53 PM | Comments (0)

Thought for food

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans in mid-July lived up to expectations as one of the 200 largest conventions in the United States. It attracted 18,243 participants and 1,055 exhibiting companies. The IFT conference is also a magnet for thousands of food scientists and technologists, who come to present and learn about cutting-edge research. SAES research was well-represented at the IFT meeting this past July, as Drs. Mohamed Ahmedna, Ipek Goktepe, Salam Ibrahim, Omoanghe Isikhuemhen, C. W. Seo, Willie Willis, Hong Yang, and Jianmei Yu were members of research teams that had work accepted for presentations. Nearly all of the 24 SAES projects were collaborative efforts, with most involving graduate research assistants and several involving scientists at other institutions. For a project abstract as well as the complete research team, follow the URL after the project name in the listing below:

 

• Nutritional composition of wild black sea bass and hatchery-reared black sea bass fingerlings - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_31377.htm.

• An optimized immunodetection of Campylobacter jejuni in chicken carcasses - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_30902.htm.

• Functional properties of peanut protein concentrates from defatted peanut flour - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_30533.htm.

• Inhibitory activity of tiger milk mushroom on cancer cells - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_30568.htm.

• Acid resistance of Enterobacter sakazakii - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_28221.htm.

• Effects of processing on allerginicity of two common peanut allergens - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_30507.htm.

• Use of a Lactobacillus reuteri supernatant to control survival and growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in beef - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_29755.htm.

• Pecan shell-based activated carbons for drinking purification: Carbon production and properties - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_30664.htm.

• Antimicrobial effect of lactic acid alone or in combination with caffeine and copper on growth of Escherichia coli O157: H7 in laboratory media - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_28113.htm.

• Microbiological quality of green leafy vegetables treated with oxine and warm water - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_31318.htm.

• Growth of probiotic cultures in laboratory media supplemented with milk protein hydrolysates - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_29385.htm.

• Peanut skin procyanidins: Composition and antioxidant activity as affected by processing - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_32062.htm.

• Use of chemical preservatives to extend the shelf life of hummus - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_29044.htm.

• Improvement of the resistance of bifidobacteria to cold storage by natural selection - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_28120.htm.

• Optimization of extrusion parameters and consumer acceptability of a peanut-based meat analog -http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_30067.htm.

• Effects of salt, acid, and milk solids on the survival and growth of E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_29081.htm.

• Determination of buffering capacity of amino acid in acidic conditions - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_31208.htm.

• Evaluation of bisphenol: A contamination in canned baby foods - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_29322.htm.

• Evaluation of modified M17 broth for growth of bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus reuteri - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_29381.htm.

• Using Origanox in combination with sodium lactate and sodium acetate to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_28356.htm.

• Effect of caffeine to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in laboratory medium - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_28114.htm.

• Sensory evaluation and acceptability of sugar-free doughnuts - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_29062.htm.

• Citric acid production by Aspergillus niger using date base medium fortified with whey, methanol and tricalcium phosphate - http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_30255.htm.

 

Drs. Goktepe and Yu were also invited to serve as moderators for one of the IFT general sessions concerning research into "Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods," and Dr. Ahmedna joined a colleague from Louisiana State in moderating a session on the "Status and prospects of value-added nutraceuticals from underutilized food industry byproducts."

Posted 3:25 PM | Comments (0)

Vitro Las Vegas

The SAES's Agricultural Research Program had its grow-how on display at the American Society for Horticultural Science's annual conference in Las Vegas July 18-21. Drs. Yang and Niedziela presented a study of their work to expedite galax seed germination in vitro. Zhongge Lu, a research associate, was also part of the project team, which investigated different culture media's pH conditions and explored suitable explant materials for aseptic cultures. Niedziela and Yang also presented their research into the potential for using tobacco transplant greenhouses for Celosia cristata L. 'Persimmon Chief'- a variety of cut flower suitable for commercial production. The project involves a comparison of four different production systems. For complete abstracts on these projects, start at http://www.ashs.org/annualmeeting/conference/index.lasso, and enter the name of one of the SAES faculty members in the search form.

Yang's trip to Las Vegas for the ASHS's annual conference did something to contradict the television commercial's claim that, "What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas." ASHS President Paul E. Read asked Yang to serve on the selection committee for the ASHS's Outstanding International Horticulturist Award. Yang's selection committee responsibilities may have begun in Las Vegas, but they certainly won't end there.

Posted 3:19 PM | Comments (0)

Staff update

Sabrina Snider has joined Ag. Communications and Technology as computer consultant. Snider, who comes to A&T from Winston-Salem State University, received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Appalachian State University. Snider's office is 242-C of Carver Hall, she can be reached at 334-7711, ext. 2269, and her e-mail srsnider@ncat.edu.

Posted 3:17 PM | Comments (1)

Photo Opportunity

Ag. Communications & Technology's (ACT) photographer, James Parker, will have his studio at C. H. Moore open for the business of new and updated SAES faculty photos on Thursday, Aug. 25. It's especially important that all new SAES administrators and faculty come by for a photo session the morning of Thursday, Aug. 25. When newspapers and other publications request a photo to accompany an article about a research coup or Extension expertise, ACT has to move quickly and there isn't time to arrange a photo session. SAES faculty and administrators who already have photos on file are welcome to stop by for an updated shot on Aug. 25. Parker will be taking photos from 9 to 11 a.m. His strong suggestions for a top-quality photo that looks good in publications and reflects professionalism are:

• Business dress (tie and jacket for men)

• Avoid white clothing

• Avoid seasonal clothing (such as summer dresses that will look strange in a January newspaper)

• Extensive or highly reflective jewelry

If you have any questions about clothing or other photo session details, please contact Parker (jfparker@ncat.edu) before you come to C. H. Moore on Aug. 25.

Posted 3:16 PM | Comments (0)