The Ag e-Dispatch

May31 deadline for Food and Agribusiness Summer Program applications

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:12:59 -0500

The SAES's Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education and the STEM Early College at A&T are joining forces for a Food and Agribusiness Summer Program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in business, science, technology and mathematics. The non-residential summer program will host students from July 8 to 18. Students selected for the program will get a close look into supply chains in food and agribusiness industries. Dr. Kenrett Jefferson-Moore is the SAES contact for additional information. The application deadline is Friday, May 31.

Research mentoring helps students up the Hill and across the ocean

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:30:37 -0500

Drs. Paula Faulkner of the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education and Patricia Lynch of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences were the faculty mentors for a poster Jasmine Scott, a sophomore majoring in agricultural education, was invited to present at Posters on the Hill, an annual event established by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) to give members of Congress personal insights into the importance of undergraduate research. Scott's poster topic was "Lessons Learned from 4-H Rural Youth Concerning Living Healthier Lifestyles." The project was a comparison of attitudes toward nutrition and physical activity among rural youth participating in Cooperative Extension afterschool programs and those who aren't, and it was one of only 60 projects selected from more than 800 submissions (from undergraduates across the nation) for this year's Posters on the Hill competition.

Faulkner's talents as a mentor for student research were also lauded in email from Minnie Battle Mayes, director of International Programs at A&T, announcing A&T's first-ever student Fulbright Scholar, Emmanuel Johnson. Johnson is a senior, majoring in computer engineering, whose Fulbright award will be used to pursue a master's in robotics at the University of Birmingham in England. The email from Mayes announcing Johnson's Fulbright noted that "Special recognition and appreciation must go to Dr. Paula Faulkner who specifically worked with Emmanuel throughout the entire summer of 2011 and into the fall semester to help him prepare his research proposal."

Wool pull a prerequisite

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:16:57 -0500

There is a June 1 application deadline for an American Sheep Industry Association scholarship program that awards $1,500 for "sheep-related graduate studies." The scholarship’s objective is to advance and promote industries dependent on sheep, lambs or wool by providing financial support to a graduate student. Applicants should be enrolled in an animal science, agricultural economics or veterinary medicine program, or a related area. Two letters of reference and proof of graduate school acceptance must accompany applications.

Swine and dandy

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:15:07 -0500

The National Pork Board has set 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, as the deadline for research proposals that have potential for helping pork producers comply with animal welfare, swine health or pre-harvest safety standards; or research with potential to lower producer feed costs or the environmental impacts of swine production. Among the specific research topics mentioned in the call for proposals are: transportation of weaned or feeder pigs, salmonella prevalence in ground pork, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus, and the effects of meat preparation and cooking methods on various meats. The six committees that will be reviewing proposals have between $150,000 and $900,000 to distribute in the current funding cycle.

Food and Agribusiness Summer Program applications due by April 27

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:04:02 -0500

The SAES's Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education and the STEM Early College at A&T are joining forces for a Food and Agribusiness Summer Program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in business, science, technology and mathematics. The non-residential summer program will be hosting students from July 8 to 18. A primary agribusiness focus for the 2013 program will be a close look into supply chains in food and agribusiness industries. Dr. Kenrett Jefferson-Moore is the SAES contact for additional information. The application deadline is Friday, April 27.

Food and Agribusiness Summer Industries Program applications due by April 27

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:30:29 -0500

The SAES's Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education and the STEM Early College at A&T are joining forces for a Food and Agribusiness Industrries Summer Program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in business, science, technology and mathematics. Students selected for the program will get a close look into supply chains in food and agribusiness industries. The non-residential program will run from July 8 to 18. Dr. Kenrett Jefferson-Moore is the SAES contact for additional information. The application deadline is Friday, April 27.

Special funding for specialty crops

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:25:19 -0500

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is administering grant funding (from a USDA program established by the 2008 Farm Bill) for new projects that will help make specialty crops more competitive in the marketplace. Among the projects with funding potential are those that increase nutritional knowledge of specialty crop consumption, those that improve distribution infrastructure, those that promote better food handling and manufacturing and those that expand food access in "food desert" communities. Nonprofits, commodity associations, state and local government agencies and universities are eligible to apply. The NCDA&CS will accept grant applications for projects of at least $20,000 until the application deadline at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26.

Research into training needs gets posterized

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:50:06 -0500

Dr. Paula Faulkner of the SAES teamed up with a colleague from Tuskegee University on a poster presentation for the American Association for Agricultural Education's (AAAE) Southern Region meeting, which was held in Orlando, Fla., in February. Faulkner, of the Dept. of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education, teamed up with Prosper Doamekpor, Tuskegee's state youth development specialist, for a poster presentation of research into "Youth as Agents of Change: Assessment of Training Needs of Youth Extension Paraprofessionals for Effective Delivery of Obesity Prevention Programs," at the Southern Region AAEA, which was held in conjunction with the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists' 2013 annual meeting.

Votre attention, s'il vous plaît, Mesdames et Messieurs

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:49:55 -0500

March 15 is the Office of International Programs' application deadline for SAES students who would like to take advantage of a study abroad opportunity in Montreal July 2 – 20. Students accepted will study international agriculture as well la langue française, and their instructor for the former will be a familiar face: John Paul Owens of the Dept. of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education. The University of Quebec at Montreal is host institution for the program, which will include more than 100 other students from around the world in addition to those from A&T.

The class in international agriculture will acquaint students with the relationships among agricultural systems in the United States and other countries, and the impact of developments in global agriculture on domestic production and policies. Students will attend classes in the mornings and the afternoons will be reserved for expanding cultural horizons. The program will offer students many opportunities to supplement their classroom work with cultural outings in the world's second largest French-speaking city, and field trips to Laval, Quebec City and the Canadian capital, Ottawa. McGill University is also a collaborating institution for the program. Students can apply to the Montreal program through the Office of International Programs.

Ides of March is Farm Bureau scholarship deadline

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:47:55 -0500

March 15 is the first in a series of deadlines for applications for the North Carolina Farm Bureau scholarship program that is now awarding 24 scholarships of $ 3,750 annually for four years of study at a college or university in an agriculturally related curricula. Each county Farm Bureau singles out an applicant to forward along for the statewide competition, which means the most immediate piece of advice to offer high school seniors is that they need to complete an application and get it to their county Farm Bureau by the 15th. Applicants must also have satisfactory grades, financial need, and describe a plan for pursing a career in an agricultural field and an understanding of the agricultural and agribusiness community.

Spotlight to shine on current research projects on March 21

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:42:48 -0500

Four SAES research scientists and two post-doctoral researchers will be presenting (concise-and-to-the-point) overviews of current research projects, beginning at noon and 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, in Room A-16 of the C.H. Moore Agricultural Research Station. Presentations and presenters are:
• Economic Feasibility of Sustainable High Oilseed-Based Biofuel Production: The Case for Biodiesel in North Carolina
— Dr. Anthony Yeboah, chair, Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education and Dr. Cephas Naanwaab, post-doctoral researcher
• The DIRT on Agricultural Dusts
— Dr. Jenora Waterman, assistant professor, Department of Animal Sciences
• Expedited Production of Alexandrian Laurelthrough Micropropagation
• Swine Waste Treatment in Constructed Wetlands and Technology Development
— Dr. Gudigopuram "G.B." Reddy, professor, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design
• Influence of Post Harvest Technology and Probiotics on Immune Response, Oxidative Stress and Aging
— Dr. Kwaku Gyenai, post-doctoral researcher, Department of Animal Sciences

All SAES faculty, staff and students are welcome to stop by Moore for the research presentations on March 22, and early arrival is recommended.

Economists delve into canola quandaries

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:52:01 -0500

Dr. Anthony Yeboah and John Paul Owens of the Dept. of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education, Dr. Osei Yeboah of the Leonard Cooper International Trade Center and two SAES research associates, Cephas Naanwaab and Jarvetta Bynum, comprise an SAES research team that has had its investigation into the “Economic Feasibility of Sustainable High Oilseed-Based Biofuel Production: The Case for Biodiesel in North Carolina” published in the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review's first issue of 2013. Their research has been assessing the economic feasibility of a hypothetical biodiesel plant that converts canola seeds to fuel. Findings are that a biodiesel facility relying on canola to reduce North Carolina's dependence on petroleum fuels may be economically feasible, but only if the current biodiesel subsidy of $1 per gallon remains intact. The SAES research scientists' article in the February issue of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review includes a review of biodiesel production facilities in the state and the five biodiesel plants in the United States now using canola oil as feedstock.

SAES cultivating French connection

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:44:54 -0500

The Office of International Programs has set March 15 as the application for SAES students interested in a study abroad program in Montreal July 2 – 20. Those accepted will study international agriculture as well la langue française, and their instructor for the former will be a familiar face: John Paul Owens of the Dept. of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education. The University of Quebec at Montreal is host institution for the program, which will include more than 100 other students from around the world in addition to those from A&T.

USDA adds more than $170k to Cooper coffers

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:09:00 -0500

The Leonard C. Cooper Jr. International Trade Center has received a one-year grant of $173,000 from USDA's Office of Advocacy & Outreach to provide assistance to socially disadvantaged small-scale producers. According to Dr. Osei Yeboah, the project director and interim director of the Center, "The project’s goal is partnerships with cooperatives to offer technical assistance to this group of producers. The project will provide training to enhance farm incomes in the areas of farm management, and financial techniques to enhance the viability of farms as businesses. Project scope will also extend into market analysis research, and design work for a low-cost drip irrigation system for specialty crop production in high tunnels and traditional field plots using alternative energy. Dr. Godfrey Gayle of the Biological Engineering Program and Dr. Frank Yeboah of the School of Technology are project co-directors."

Visitors receive impressive visitors

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:16:34 -0500

Three SAES students were invited to present overviews of learning experiences from the summer of ‘12 to the University's Board of Visitors (BOV) on Nov. 2. Leland Baptist, a Charlotte native majoring in agricultural economics, was a member of the trio and his presentation covered an internship with International Paper Company in Riegelwood, N.C., where he had opportunities to get involved with safety orientation and logistics efficiency, and went through the company’s training matrix. An animal sciences major originally from Baltimore who is working toward a certificate in biotechnology, Brittany Luster, gave the BOV some insights into a summer studying abroad in West Africa, where additions to her portfolio included a survey of emerging markets in Ghana. The third SAES student to give the BOV an overview of her summer of ‘12 was Canisha Cierra Turner, a junior majoring in agribusiness and one of A&T’s USDA 1890 Scholars. Turner, whose hometown is Waverly, Va., had a summer internship with her USDA sponsoring agency, the U.S. Forest Service, that took her halfway across the country and to the its northern border for an internship at Superior National Forest offices in Duluth, Minn., where she conducted land surveys, explored encroachments and worked with other realty issues.