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Harvester
Volume 3, Issue 1
Winter 2016
The Newsletter of the Department of Crop Science at North Carolina State University
Rachel Atwell
Graduate student in the Department of Crop Science
at North Carolina State University.
From the Front Office
Growing the Future
The theme for our strategic plan, “Growing the Future”, appropriately describes
Crop Science in 2015 as we have experienced growth in our teaching, research
and extension programs. Enrollment growth in undergraduate programs is
good news considering the high demand for trained workers in agriculture,
especially agronomy. Our students are trained by the best faculty, they learn
in the classroom and in the field, they travel internationally to learn about
agriculture, and they do community service projects. If you can’t tell, I am very proud of our students and I am
comforted knowing they will be future leaders in agriculture. Our graduate students are stellar! They train under
nationally and internationally recognized faculty and our graduate students continually win awards at regional and
national conferences. We continue to receive more requests from students for graduate school but funding limits
how many we accept into Crop Science. In 2016, we will focus on professional development and leadership training
opportunities for our students.
In research, our faculty advanced science through innovation and discovery in areas like harm reduction technology
in tobacco, leaf shape in cotton, cellulose synthesis, hi oleic peanuts, stress tolerance in soybean, using climate data
to reduce risk for farmers, sustainable farming practices, shade and cold tolerance in turf grasses, etc. We continue to
bridge fundamental science with applied science to ensure these discoveries and technology are available to farmers
and the NC agricultural industry. Likewise, the faculty share this “new science” with our students through the various
courses we teach in Crop Science. Given the global challenges facing agriculture, research and development in Crop
Science is needed today more than ever.
Demand is growing for Extension programs as farmers and the agricultural industry work together to feed 9 billion
people by 2050. Extension programs in Crop Science historically are among the best in the nation. Today, because
we live in the information age, our clientele demand faster delivery of science-based information from our Extension
faculty. We continue to deliver educational programs at a very high level even though the number of faculty in
Extension has declined from recent budget reductions.
Change in 2016
Dean Rich Linton recently announced a plan to restructure the college to improve innovation and efficiency in teaching,
research and extension. Included in the new plan is a merger of Departments of Crop Science and Soil Science. The
merger will begin in January 2016. This merger will enable us to maintain the excellent educational programs in both
departments while enhancing interdisciplinary efforts to better serve our students and the agricultural community in
NC. We are excited about the new possibilities and we look forward to working with you as we “grow the future”.
Happy Trails,
Jeff Mullahey
Head, Department of Crop Science
Reach us by mail at:
Department of Crop Science
North Carolina State University
Campus Box 7620
Raleigh, NC 27695-7620
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Reach us by phone at:
919.515.2647
or on the internet at:
http://www.cropsci.ncsu.edu
Harvester - Volume 3, Issue 1 - Winter 2016
Crop Science Graduate Student Profiles
Alexandra (Alex) Knight
Alexandra (Alex) Knight is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the
Crop Science Department at NCSU under the direction of
Drs. Chris Reberg-Horton and Wesley Everman. This work has
investigated the role of various conventional and organic systems
as well as weeds and herbicides on greenhouse gas emissions. Her
M.S. project was completed in 2013 and looked at the movement
of nitrogen in corn systems based on different nitrogen sources,
rates and weed removal timings. Alexandra grew up on a beef
cattle farm in east central Ohio where her family also raised sheep,
grew corn, soybeans, and hay. In 2011, she graduated from
Walsh University (N. Canton, OH) with a B.S. in Biology and
minors in Chemistry and Environmental Studies. In the future,
Alexandra hopes to continue working in research.
Zachary Jones
My name is Zachary Jones, and I am a Seed Matter Fellow in Organic Plant
Breeding and a PhD student in Crop Science at NCSU. I am fortunate to
work in maize breeding with Major Goodman and Matt Krakowsky. My
research focuses on identification and utilization of gametophyte factors
from tropical germplasm. The goal of my research is development of pollenblocking single and double-cross hybrids to prevent pollen-mediated gene
flow. I am also working to integrate a stabilizing genetic resistance discovered
as part of my Master’s research into new and existing pollen-blocking systems.
grew up in Spring Garden, AL, where my passion for agriculture allowed me
to serve as State FFA President, and then attended Auburn University (War
Eagle!) for my undergraduate education. I came to NCSU for graduate school
to learn from the diverse set of experts in various aspects of plant breeding,
and have been fortunate to gain insights from so many perspectives. My career
goal is to become a commercial plant breeder, helping to increase productivity
to feed a hungry world. In my spare time, you will find me watching college
sports, flying my UAV, or traveling.
I
In this issue:
Page 2
From the Front Office
Page 3 -5 Graduate Student Profiles
Page 6
News and Awards
Department of Crop Science - www.cropsci.ncsu.edu
Page 8 Graduates of Fall 2015
Page 9 Graduation Pictures
Page 10 Nashea Williams earns White House recognition
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Angel Cruz
My name is Angel Cruz and I am a Ph.D. student in the Crop
Science Department at NCSU. I work in the Agroecology
lab with Dr. Michelle Schroeder-Moreno. My research is in
El Salvador where I am doing participatory action research
examining the relationship between agroecological soil management practices and food security for smallholder farmers.
The goal is to conduct on farm experiments to test different
management practices, as well as report on the food security
levels of farmers already using such methods. I chose to come
to graduate school at NCSU after spending 2 years working
in El Salvador and realized I didn’t have the knowledge and
training necessary to be an expert in agroecology and international agriculture development. Because I grew
up in the mountains of NC, choosing NCSU seemed like the natural choice, but I looked into a lot of other program and in the end I chose NCSU because of Dr. Schroeder-Moreno’s expertise in agroecology and
her reputation as a great advisor. Before starting my Ph.D. research, I also completed a M.S. at NCSU. My
M.S. research examined how different farming systems impacted soil microbial communities. I learned a lot
from my Masters research, but international agriculture and working with smallholder farmers is definitely
my passion. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do my research abroad in an area that I am so passionate
about. After graduating, I hope to continue working internationally in both research and education. When
I am not in the lab, writing, or traveling, I love to homebrew, make homemade lotions and soaps, and hike
in the mountains.
Matt Granberry
My name is Matt Granberry and I am a graduate student in the Crop Science department at North Carolina State University. I work in the NCSU Small Grains Breeding Program under Dr. Paul Murphy. I am
currently finishing up my M.S. degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics. My research is focused on identifying QTLs for Italian Ryegrass suppression in the AGS 2000 x
NC-Neuse soft red winter wheat mapping population. Then use identified QTLs to screen future wheat cultivars for ryegrass suppression
and help address the ryegrass problem that both organic and conventional wheat growers are facing today. I grew up on a family farm in
Salisbury, North Carolina and attended North Carolina State University for my B.S. in Plant and Soil Science-Crop Production and a
minor in Agricultural Business Management. I chose to attend graduate school at NC State because NCSU has always been highly regarded
for its plant breeding programs and I was fortunate to have worked for
some of the breeders during my undergraduate years. I knew I wanted to become a plant breeder and with the invaluable knowledge and
experience during my undergraduate work, I knew I wanted to attend
graduate school for plant breeding at NC State. In the future I want
to be a technician/assistant plant breeder conducting field research to
produce better cultivars for farmers to grow. My hobbies are playing
with my son, hunting, fishing, sports and farming.
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Harvester - Volume 3, Issue 1 - Winter 2016
Andrew Howell
My name is Andrew Howell and I am a MS graduate student in the
Crop Science department. I grew up in Sanford, NC and obtained
my BS in Crop Science at NCSU in 2013. As an undergraduate,
I worked on several research farms with diverse commodities and
decided after graduation I wanted to continue doing research. I
began my MS under the direction of Dr. Rob Richardson in 2014
in the aquatic weed science division. My research focuses on the
early detection, monitoring, and mapping of invasive, submersed
aquatic vegetation using boat-based remote sensing technologies.
After my master’s, my plan is to continue doing invasive species
research, ideally working with the federal government. I am an avid
outdoorsman and diehard bowhunter, so in my spare time (which is
rare), that’s where you’ll find me.
Bajinder Kaur
My name is Baljinder Kaur and I am a graduate student is Crop Science department at North Carolina
State University. I am working in cotton breeding under the supervision of Vasu Kuraparthy. My research
is focused on screening for thrips resistance in Gossypium hirsutum germplasm and mapping the genomic
regions conferring thrips resistance using back cross generations. I am also studying the genetic architecture
of photoperiodism and leaf shape in cotton. Working on these diverse projects gave me an opportunity
to expand my knowledge and develop both field and lab skills. I grew up in Punjab, a state in Northern
India. I received my bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from DAV College, Chandigarh, India. For my
M.S degree, I attended Punjab Agricultural University and worked on cotton genetics as part of my master’s
research. In fall 2012, I came to NC State to start my PhD. This was a great opportunity and wonderful
experience for me. In my free time (if possible ;)) I would like to travel, read a book, and spend time with
family and friends.
Department of Crop Science - www.cropsci.ncsu.edu
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Department News
Jenny Kimball won third place in the Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics Graduate Student Oral Competition and
Matt Jeffries won first place in the Turfgrass Cultural Practices, Ecology and Environment Graduate Student Oral
Competition category at the Crop Science Society of America Annual Meetings in Minneapolis, MN.
Dr. Tom Stalker received the Peanut Research and Education Award (PREA) from the American Peanut Council
(APC) at their meeting in Asheville, NC.
Three of our Crop Science Plant Breeding Students ​​received awards for travel to the NAPB (National Association of
Plant Breeders) meeting held at Washington State University in Pullman, WA, July 27 -30, 2015.
The awards are as follows:
David Eickholt’s poster was judged to be number 1 out of 75 graduate student posters presented at the
meeting. He received an award to cover his travel expenses to the meeting.
Jose Martin Sarinelli and Mai Xiong each received a travel scholarship in the amount of $1,000 for travel
expenses to the meeting.
Jenny Kimball and Matt Jeffries were selected by the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina (TCNC) board to
receive the 2015 TCNC Eagles’ Award.
Welcome new Lake Wheeler Field Lab Manager
Marty Parish
Marty Parish joins NCSU as the manager of the Lake Wheeler Field Lab in
Raleigh. Marty originally graduated from NC State with a degree in psycholobut the talent and expertise he showed working at North Carolina golf courses as an undergraduate prompted his superintendent to urge him to go for
degree in turfgrass science. That he eventually did, at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
gy,
a
Marty Parish
Follow us online at: www.cropsci.ncsu.edu
On Facebook at: www.facebook.com/NCStateCropScience
On Twitter at: https://twitter.com/NCSUCropScience
and by email at : [email protected]
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Harvester - Volume 3, Issue 1 - Winter 2016
Esteemed NC State Research Specialist Joe Priest - in Memoriam
Joe Priest, 71, a long time research specialist in Crop Science and with the USDA during a career of 48 years, died
unexpectedly two weeks ago. Dr. Loren Fisher shared
these thoughts:
“Joe’s hard work, vast experience, and friendship were invaluable to all who worked on tobacco projects. He set a
standard that can not be matched. I started working with
Joe in 1993; he taught me more about field research than
I can remember and took great pride in his work. He
touched the lives of many faculty, staff, students, agents,
and growers and will be greatly missed.”
Joe Priest accepts the Excellence in Agriculture
Last year Joe received the Excellence in Agriculture award
Award in 2015
for his nearly 50 years of outstanding service to tobacco
farmers. We are grateful to Joe for his many years of outstanding service, as a scientist and a friend to the Department of Crop Science.
NC State Turfgrass research team awarded USDA grant
NC State Crop Science Department’s Dr. Grady Miller and Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis are part of a turf research
team to receive $4.4 million to study drought resistance in warm-season turfgrasses. The grants were announced Oct. 5 by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), a division of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
Drs. Miller and Milla-Lewis will work with Dr.
Kevin Kenworthy of the University of Florida in
conjunction with scientists at Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and the University of Georgia to further
test warm season turfgrasses for their water requirements and ability to persist under long-term
drought conditions.
Dr Milla-Lewis
“Our newly funded project will involve input from
turfgrass breeders, plant physiologists, turfgrass
Dr Miller
management specialists, turfgrass Extension specialists, economists and statisticians,
and it will provide information relative to these advanced lines for their sod and weed
management practices,” Kenworthy said. “A significant component of the project will involve Extension efforts
to learn more about what the industry understands regarding drought responses of turf, what traits are most
important to end users and the development of educational tools to inform the industry about new drought-resistant turfgrasses that may become commercially available from this project.”
Congratulations to our NC State turfgrass faculty, Susana Milla-Lewis and Grady Miller!
NC State University promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon one’s age, color, disability, gender
identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status.
Department of Crop Science - www.cropsci.ncsu.edu
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Graduates of Fall 2015
Bachelor of Science - Natural Resources
Drew Austin Matthews
Bachelor of Science - Turfgrass Science
Nicholas Landon Burkhart
Wendell J. Hutchens
Bret Taylor Corbett
Michael David Moore
Bachelor of Science - Plant and Soil Sciences
Joseph Britt Wilson
Jourdain Ross de Fontes
Zackary Douglas Ross
Master of Crop Science
Anthea Cristina Saez
Master of Science - Crop Science
Zachary Ryan Taylor
Doctor Of Philosophy
Ryan James Andres
Thierry Eric Besancon
Jennifer Ann Kimball
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Jonathan Mark Rinehardt
Amanda L. McWhirt
Harvester - Volume 3, Issue 1 - Winter 2016
Fall Graduation
Congratulations to Our Graduates!
Department of Crop Science - www.cropsci.ncsu.edu
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Crop Science student Nashea Williams earns White House recognition
December 14th at the White House, NC State Crop Science student Nashea Williams shook hands with Vice President Joe Biden as her mentor Dr. Lori Unruh Snyder awaited his keynote speech. A 100,000 Strong in the Americas
grant recipient, Nashea met and talked with the Vice President and program organizers for nearly 45 minutes as a
showcase student who had participated in the program.
“She’s exactly the profile of who we hope to inspire to
study abroad in the 100,000 Strong Program,” said Vice
President Biden in his remarks later in the event.
North Carolina State University is one of nine universities from the U.S., Canada and Latin America to win a
100,000 Strong in the Americas innovation grant given
by the U.S. Department of State, Partners of the Americas and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing hemispheric competitiveness, increasing prosperity and better preparing a
globally aware workforce. Nashea was the sole student
chosen to meet with Vice President Biden to discuss her
studies in the program.
All this has been made possible due to Nashea’s mentor,
Dr. Lori J. Unruh Snyder, Associate Professor and Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator at NC State’s College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences, who partnered with the
Study Abroad office to submit the 100K Strong grant
Nashea Williams (left) and Dr. Lori Unruh Snyder at
titled, “Cultivating Study Abroad in Underrepresented
the White House
Agriculture Disciplines,” with the goal of broadening
the possibilities for agricultural majors least represented in international course exchanges. The biography that Dr.
Snyder submitted resulted in Nashea’s selection as a prime example of the program’s spirit and purpose.
A senior majoring in Plant and Soil Science with a concentration in Crop Production, Nashea Williams grew up in
Clinton, NC. Recently she traveled to Costa Rica on a short term study abroad to learn about sustainability and
food security, an opportunity she would have never had without the 100,00 Strong in the Americas Innovation grant
support.
After graduation, Nashea hopes to use her acquired knowledge and creativity to develop crops that meet the needs of
farmers while making efficient use of environmental resources.
Stay up to date with the latest news from the Department of Crop Science.
Sign up for news online at Crop Science Updates
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Growing The Future The Strategic Plan
of the Department of Crop Science
Download your copy at: go.ncsu.edu/growing_the_future
Help Support The Department of Crop Science
Become a Friend of the NCSU Crop Science Program!
Supporting The Department of Crop Science financially is an important way in which you
can advance the work of the department and in turn the profession of crop science. As a
member of our community, you can help us to build a stronger future for Crop Science.
Much of the success of the Department of Crop Science is already due to your support.
Donations can be made to directly to individual faculty programs or to specific areas
within Crop Science.
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Mail to:
NC Agricultural Foundation,
Campus Box 7645,
Raleigh, NC 27695 or fax to 919.515.5274
If you have questions, please contact Chris Wessel: 919.515.7678 or [email protected]
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