The Ag eDispatch

Stipend for student solutions

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:58:56 -0500

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity, and the Planet” will award grants of up to $10,000 to teams of college students for research projects that offer solutions to challenges that society faces for protecting the environment. The five research areas of specific interest this year are: agriculture, materials and chemicals, energy information technology, water, and built environments. The application window for projects to be conducted during the 2008-09 academic year closes Dec. 23. For ideas and inspirations, check out the Web page with flash presentations covering last year’s winners.

SAES bioengineers on right track

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:55:12 -0500

Among the technical sessions at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ (ASABE) 102nd annual meeting this past summer were three that sprang from the Bioengineering Program at A&T. Dr. Manuel Reyes gave a progress report on “Agroforestry and Sustainable Vegetable Production in Southeast Asian Watersheds,” that covered policy analyses and recommendations for incentives for environmental stewardship that are outgrowths of a $1.2 million research project he is coordinating. Dr. Abolghasem Shahbazi was on a team, along with Shuangning Xiu, an SAES research associate, and James Croonenberghs, a graduate student, that had a presentation on “Thermochemical Liquefaction of Duckweed to Biofuel” among the ASABE technical presentations. Shahbazi was also part of a team, along with research associates, Michele Mims and Lijun Wang, which had a presentation on “Anaerobic Co-fermentation of Crude Glycerol and Oil-Seed Meal to Ethanol and Hydrogen.”

As an organization devoted to both science and education, the ASABE, has evolved into an international clearinghouse for research in biological, food, and agricultural engineering. With more than 9,000 members from more than 100 countries, ASABE membership includes scientists and other professionals specializing in farm safety, nursery and greenhouse operations, power systems, and farm machinery and structures.

SAES headwaters of Muddy Creek

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:52:56 -0500

Burke County’s Muddy Creek Mushroom Farm caught the attention of the local paper, the Morganton News-Herald, which ran a story ran on Sept. 21 that covered the history and vicissitudes of shiitake mushroom production at Muddy Creek. The News-Herald story notes that the origins of the Muddy Creek mushroom operation can be traced to, “an article in Southern Living magazine about growing mushrooms,” and that the two families operating Muddy Creek “found help through North Carolina A&T State University....” The mycologist the tips and training allude to is Dr. Omon Isikhuemhen of the SAES.

Molecular sponging

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:49:46 -0500

The first-ever National Science Experiment will be Wednesday, Oct. 8. The experiment that 4-H’ers and other youths from across the country will be conducting has a focus on the environment and water conservation, and it will explore the properties of water-absorbing polymers — chains of molecules that can be used in agriculture, erosion control, soil management and environmental clean-ups. Soil and water get involved also, as the experiment tests the effectiveness of polymers in preventing the spread of contaminants. Once they have completed the National Science Experiment, student scientists and their adult mentors can go to a special Web page to submit results, and compare their findings to those of other student scientists across the country.

National Science Experiment National Youth Science Day was announced in June alongside a new 4-H public service campaign One Million New Scientists. One Million New Ideas. The campaign supports the organization’s long-term goal of attracting a million new youths to 4-H science, engineering, and technology programs by the year 2013.

TV personality Steve Spangler is serving as the official spokesperson for National Youth Science Day, and Spangler’s website currently has a seasonal offering that will be of interest to teachers, 4-H leaders and parents who would like to insert an educational component into the festivities on Oct. 31. The “Making Science Fun” website is featuring instructions for six experiments with Halloween resonance.

In the news and on the record

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:27:14 -0500

The Sept. 11 issue of the Greensboro News & Record ran an article about SAES Web developer Stephen Charles' photography: the training, equipment and career that led to a book of photos that "features many well-known city landmarks including the February One statue in front of the Dudley Memorial Building, an iridescent bird's eye view of the downtown skyline at night as well as the now demolished Pomona Cotton Mill." Earlier in the week, Dr. Marihelen Glass of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design was one of the sources interviewed for a News & Record feature on Cove Creek Gardens, which promote horticulture and natural resources management by giving the public a series of model gardens for study and recreation. Glass uses field trips to Cove Creek Gardens to supplement classroom instruction.

Media energized

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:23:25 -0500

The Carolina Peacemaker sent a reporter to Small Farms Field Day at the University Farm on Aug. 7, and he came away from the program with some interesting facts and figures on the growing economic incentives for producing as well as using biodiesel on small farms in North Carolina, compliments of Dr. Jimo Ibrahim of The Cooperative Extension Program at A&T and Dr. Ghasem Shahbazi of the Agricultural Research Program. The Peacemaker reporter zoned in on Ibrahim’s estimate that small biodiesel units such as the one at the University Farm (small but still capable of producing as much as 40 gallons of fuel a day recycling cooking oil from restaurant fryers) cost about $2,000. The Peacemaker quotes Shahbazi as saying, “The advantage with biodiesel production is that there is no refinery. People can produce their need and demand in their area using local resources.”

Propagation explication

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:10:26 -0500

Dr. Guochen Yang of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design had some SAES research on exhibit in San Francisco in early August. Yang has been working with Dr. Paul Read of the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska on a study of plant growth regulators with potential for expediting the propagation of woody ornamentals used in the nursery industry. Findings were presented at the research poster presentations at the annual meeting of the Plant Growth Regulation Society of America’s 35th Annual Meeting (PGRSA), Aug. 3 -7.

The PGRSA has been giving scientists from many areas of specialization a central agency for collecting and disseminating information on plant growth regulators, plant tissue culture and other propagation techniques since the organization was established in 1973. The organization publishes reference books and a quarterly journal of technical articles.

Cattail tale

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:34:56 -0500

Dr. Ghasem Shahbazi’s research work at the University Farm fueled some interest at the Greensboro News & Record, and on July 28 the paper ran an article covering a couple of his research projects. The story provides some insights into the research Shahbazi is conducting that is looking into the potential to convert cattails and other cellusic plants into ethanol, and also potential for converting swine waste into a heavy oil that can be used in manufacturing.

Acceleration through micropropagation

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:14:45 -0500

Dr. Guochen Yang and Zhongge “Cindy” Lu of the SAES Agricultural Research Program presented findings from promising research into micropropagation of Alexandrian laurel at the 105th Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) in Orlando in late July. When propagated from seeds, the ornamental shrub has a germination rate of only 20 percent, and it then takes growers up to six years to produce a commercially viable one-gallon plant. Yang and Lu have been researching a micropropagation method that is resulting in a germination rate of 80 to 100 percent, and one-year-old plants the size of three-year-old plants grown conventionally.

Yang was also cited for his contributions as member of the selection committee for the ASHS’s International Horticulturist Award in the conference program.

The ASHS is the largest organization in the world working to advance research and education in horticulture and related areas. The organization’s 2008 conference featured more than 900 scientific presentations, and more than 1,000 scientists and students participated.

Applications accepted until Aug. 1

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:04:43 -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.

Trusted ally

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:27:20 -0500

The deadline for proposal applications for the next funding cycle for grants from the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission is Aug. 1. The Commission’s priorities for the upcoming funding cycle include community economic development, farm profitability, natural resource management, farmland preservation, and other projects that will support the state’s agricultural economy. Proposals that address areas affected by changes in the tobacco industries, and to projects with broad geographic and demographic impact potential will be given special attention. The commission will be announcing grant recipients by the end of October.

The N. C. General Assembly established the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission eight years ago to direct lawsuit settlement funds from cigarette manufacturers (the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement) to farmers and tobacco-related businesses.

Search to end on Aug. 1

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:20:53 -0500

Search to end on Aug. 1

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design now offers bachelor’s degrees in earth and environmental sciences, ornamental horticulture, landscape architecture and bioenvironmental engineering. The department’s master’s program gives students a choice from three concentrations: plant, soil or environmental sciences.

Chair search to be off one table on first of August

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:22:21 -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.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design now offers bachelor’s degrees in earth and environmental sciences, ornamental horticulture, landscape architecture and bioenvironmental engineering. The department’s master’s program gives students a choice from three concentrations: plant, soil or environmental sciences.

KY Poverty Research Center has funding for junior faculty research

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:20:51 -0500

The University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research is looking for proposals from junior faculty with full-time academic appointments who are untenured and have received their doctorates in the past seven years. The Center is looking for social science research regarding low-income populations — including child and family well being, and the economic status of disadvantaged and underrepresented populations. Preference will be given to proposals that address poverty in the South.

The Center is planning to fund three proposals of up to $7,500 each. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, July 11.

Search under way for new department chair

Wed, 28 May 2008 16:21:39 -0500

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design is now inviting applications for the position of department chairperson. The selection process will begin 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 closely 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.

One of four SAES departments, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design now offers bachelor’s degrees in earth and environmental sciences, ornamental horticulture, landscape architecture and biological engineering. The department’s master’s program gives students a choice from three concentrations: plant, soil or environmental sciences.