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Vol. 9, 2012
Administrator's Desk - Aggie Leaders Rise to 21st Century Challenges A strong economy is often described as one that "makes, creates and innovates." To this I would add, it is also one that educates. As a land-grant university, we cannot be "makers." That's the province of private industry. But we can improve on what we do best: innovate and educate. Green Gold An N.C. A&T biological engineer is designing sustainablebiorefineries for producing biofuels, chemicals, plastics, andother products from an array of biomass feedstocks. [View Video Interview] N.C. goat industry grows Support from land-grant research and Cooperative Extensionhelps the Tar Heel State’s fastest-growing livestock industry. [View Video Interview] Kannapolis Scholars get inter-disciplined A&T’s Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies at the NorthCarolina Research Campus nurtures new talent in agricultural sciencesthrough the interdisciplinary Kannapolis Scholars program. Farming Systems Research and demonstrations at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems support farmers in transition. Promise in Pomace Food scientists at N.C. A&T arehoping to bring more value to North Carolina wine grapes with research on the health benefits of the fiber and nutrition-rich byproduct of the wine press known as “pomace.” Exporting Conservation Soil conservation researchers at A&T join a race against time to mitigate looming food shortages in Southeast Asia. Gathering Dust Researcher delves into respiratory health effects of agricultural dust in pigs and humans. In The Bag A&T researchers find promise in geotextile bags for filtering hog waste. SAES faculty and student publications 2010 – 2012
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Vol. 8, 2011
Administrator's Desk - From economy to ecosystem, the land-grant mission connects the dots
A strong economy is often described as one that "makes, creates and innovates." To this I would add, it is also one that educates. As a land-grant university, we cannot be "makers." That's the province of private industry. But we can improve on what we do best: innovate and educate. Research is making mushroom production a year round opportunity Growing in the great indoors Researchers smell opportunity in hog waste From waste stream to revenue stream Undergraduate Research Scholars Program Young scientists address issues in economics, health, soils, animal feed [View Video Interviews] Health science's new frontier A look at food safety, functional foods, inactivating allergens, food fiber, designer biochar Building capacity USDA funded projects in the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
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Vol. 7, 2010
Administrator's Desk - Cultivating Minds The School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences has launched a new Undergraduate Research Scholars Program this year, which has potential to increase the ranks of minority scientists and launch individuals onto successful career paths. Equine education Survey shows education is a pressing need in N.C.’s horse industry. “Eat your veggies!” Researchers use play to encourage preschoolers to follow Mom’s advice. Job preparedness Communication, character skills rate highest with ag industry employers. Profiting in poinsettias An economist with the Agricultural Research Program presents evidence suggesting that poinsettia growers might profit more by selling less. Biological engineering students turn Aggie blue and gold into GREEN “Greening of Sockwell Hall” project spurs sustainability movement at N.C. A&T. [View Video Interview] Small farm success What makes a small farm succeed? Researchers in the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education hope to find out in a three-year study, “Factors Influencing Successful Small-Farm Operations in North Carolina.” Corn woes Alternative feed could help hog industry. STUDENT Projects A synopsis of student research projects in the Agricultural Research Program.
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Vol. 6, 2009
Administrator's Desk Cooperation strengthens economies everywhere Post-harvest technologies Post-harvest technologies improve safety and add value to fresh produce. Agroforestry An agroforestry project that marries forestry with farming — and scientific research with international development — is beginning to bear fruit. The food environment in N.C. Study shows connections among obesity, fruit and vegetable consumption and access to supermarkets. Green fuels Biological engineers with the Agricultural Research Program are seeking ways to make cellulosic ethanol (CE) production commercially viable for North Carolina. Miraculous microbes Science might never find the fountain of youth, but a fountain of health could one day be as close as your dairy aisle. Making sense New consumer testing lab brings science closer to markets. Feed and fowl Researchers from three different disciplines have developed a poultry feed that could improve post-molt egg production and bird health. High tunnels, high profits Helping farmers transition to organic by using unheated greenhouses. Organic markets Study examines retail market for organic food. Active Projects A synopsis of projects in the Agricultural Research Program.
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Vol. 5, 2008
Director’s Desk Economic development depends on human development SAES adds Center for Post-Harvest Technologies to research repertoire One of the most promising new initiatives to emerge from the Agricultural Research Program, the Center of Excellence for Post-Harvest Technologies, began operations in June at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. The persistence of poverty Two rural sociologists in the Agricultural Research Program are shedding new light on the Southern Black Belt Vine prospects Economist’s study indicates the potential in wine grapes, even for small growers Functional foods From banana yogurt to carrot juice, food microbiologist seeks new vehicles for probiotics Better business Economists assist rural entrepreneurs Groundbreaking cooperative fueled by biological engineering One of North Carolina’s point men leading the march to new energy sources earned his stripes with biofuels research Predatory lending hits home Researchers examining lending patterns in rural N.C. A Breed Apart A hog research scientist at N.C. A&T embarks on breeding project New Blood Natural pork producers’ cooperative raising standards of product Publications
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Vol 4, 2007 Directors Desk: Industry partnerships bring research to fruition Science is all about asking questions, and in the Agricultural Research Program at N.C. A&T State University, we frequently ask ourselves,“How can we ensure that the work we do in our laboratories improves the well-being of the farming community, families and consumers, the economy and the environment?” Controlling Growth: Plant biotech helps green industry commercialize plants A plant biotechnologist in the Agricultural Research Program is improving the production efficiency of two ornamental shrubs that have a history of being difficult or impossible to commercialize. Peanut Better Dr. Mohamed Ahmedna would like to see a day when every child — allergic or not — can enjoy a healthy, nutritious peanut butter sandwich. That day might arrive sooner instead of later, thanks to a process that he has perfected to inactivate allergens in peanuts. Mastitis Markers A genomics researcher in the Agricultural Research Program at N.C. A&T is exploring the bovine immune system in hopes of one day contributing to antibiotic-free treatments for mastitis. Longer Life A packaging technology for exotic mushrooms that is being researched by the Agricultural Research Program could be a boon to the small but growing shiitake industry in North Carolina. Ag. research produces University’s first spin-off company The discovery of a rare antibodybinding protein in the Agricultural Research Program laboratories has given rise to N.C. A&T’s first spin-off company. Childhood eating habits: Study to examine eating habits of young children and families Overweight is now considered America’s number one killer, outpacing even smoking as the top public health issue facing the United States. But overweight and obesity are no longer the afflictions of the middle-aged couch potato. Overweight increasingly affects young children at alarming rates and with troubling consequences for their developmental years. Asian vegetables With tobacco in decline due to global competition and the end of the tobacco subsidy program, limited-resource farmers in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast are trying alternative crops, including specialty vegetables. Tracking truffles Research into the DNA of a high-value soil fungus in N.C. A&T’s Agricultural Research Program has spurred the creation of a new biotech business to serve and support truffle growers. Progress Report
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Vol 3, 2006 - Directors Desk: Change is in the air When The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching announced its most recent changes in classifying the nation’s colleges and universities, North Carolina A&T found itself at the top. Ag Research Program To Partner in Biopolis Innovations in post-harvest technology from the Agricultural Research Program (ARP) will be making the journey from laboratory bench to grocery-store shelf much more quickly. That’s because the ARP will be a partner with other top research universities in North Carolina in a new worldclass biotechnology research center now under construction by Dole Foods in Kannapolis, N.C. — about an hour south of the N.C. A&T campus. A Rare Breed Poultry researcher focuses on small producers In the new Poultry Research Complex at the University Farm, Dr. Willie Willis is designing new research projects to assist North Carolina’s most important agricultural industry. What Does Free Trade Spell for North Carolina Agriculture? In the present era of free trade, it’s no secret that Wall Street is winning and unskilled workers are losing. But how is North Carolina’s agriculture sector faring? After the Harvest Food scientists in the Agricultural Research Program (ARP) are developing new post-harvest technologies that could help small-scale growers develop new markets for their produce. Dr. Chung Seo, professor of food science, has developed a small-scale vegetable processing system for sanitizing vegetables that uses ozone and chlorine dioxide. Rx for agriculture When Dr. Ipek Goktepe began studying triazole exposure on farm workers last summer, she set out with an open mind and armed with educated guesses, but prepared to have her assumptions challenged by what she found in the field. Following the Leaders Leadership development is a hot topic in the business world, but very little research has ever been conducted on the subject in rural communities. Tracking No-Till It has long been known in the agricultural community that no-till farming conserves soil and reduces runoff. But less clear has been the effect of no-till over the long term: Just how long can the surface remain unbroken before soil density causes diminishing crop yields? Farm Improvements Continue Upgrades and improvements to the University Farm are helping to insure that N.C. A&T’s largest classroom accommodates research and instruction relevant to today’s agricultural industry. Patents and Publications
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Vol 2, 2005 - Launch interactive version or select individual stories below. Directors Desk: Research Making a Difference to Small Farmers What crops or other income producing activities can replace tobacco income, and what do these farmers need to do to make a successful transition to growing or raising these alternative products? Peanut Allergies Food scientists with the Agricultural Research Program have developed a new fermentation process that significantly reduces the allergenicity of peanuts. Waste Not The Agricultural Research Program at N.C. A&T is finding ways to convert byproducts into value-added products. Wetlands and Hog Waste Natural filters remove pollutants from hog waste. Rapid Detection for Truffles Mushroom researchers with the Agricultural Research Program (ARP) are developing a monitoring tool that could help North Carolina growers of the exotic black truffle, a fungus that is considered to be the most lucrative agricultural product in the world. Latino Health A survey of Mexican immigrants in one North Carolina county indicates that obesity is becoming as big an issue for this population as it is for others. Space Age Agriculture If you want to know precisely what is happening on the ground, then your best bet is to get a bird’s-eye view from the air. That’s why precision agriculture might one day become the crop farmer’s best friend. Healthy Stock Animal scientists in the Agricultural Research Program (ARP) hope to shed light on how traditional remedies can fight disease and strengthen immunity. The research is becoming increasingly important as disease-causing organ- isms develop resistance to commercial drugs. New Research, Old Remedies An herb common throughout the Southeast and esteemed by rural folk for its tonic properties is beginning to gain the respect of modern medicine. SAES Active Projects
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Vol 1, 2005 Directors Desk: Strengthening impacts through collaboration Shiitake and Beyond Scientists in the Agricultural Research Program want to jump-start a biotechnology industry based on exotic mushrooms. University Farm: A Community Resource In addition to research, the farm is used for Extension field days geared to the needs of small farmers looking for ideas for niche crops and techniques in sustainable agriculture. Restoring Pork Flavor Through Diet, Genetics A rare, feral pig might hold the secret to pork that not only tastes good, but is good for your heart and arteries too. Biosensor Could Prevent Recalls In an effort to prevent contaminated food from winding up in grocery stores, Agricultural Research Program (ARP) food scientists have invented an efficient biosensing technology for meat and poultry coming off the assembly line. Microbes for Health Food microbiologists in the Agricultural Research Program (ARP) are always searching for new weapons to use against harmful bacteria. When they aren’t engaged in this good fight, then they are developing new technologies to strengthen microbes that promote good health. SAES Journal Publications
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