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N.C. State hosts spring seminar series

By Ben McNeely | Media General

Published: April 14, 2009

Updated: 04/14/2009 01:38 pm

KANNAPOLIS - N.C. State will host its "Discovering Nature's Possibilities" seminar series in May.

Featuring faculty members from the Plants for Human Health Institute and the Program for Value-Added and Alternative Agriculture, the series aims to let Kannapolis residents know just what N.C. State does at the North Carolina Research Campus.

Seminars will be at the Core Research Laboratory every Tuesday in May, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., starting May 5. The seminars are free, but seating is limited. Call Leah Chester-Davis at 704-250-5406 or leah_chester-davis@ncsu.edu or Tara Vogelien at 704-250-5400 or tara_vogelien@ncsu.edu to register.

Seminars are as follows:

May 5
Making Sure You Get Your Piece of the PHHI! – Mary Ann Lila
Meet N.C. State's Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) and its director, Dr. Mary Ann Lila. She will outline the focus of the groundbreaking research taking place on our campus, including the institute's current research.

Dissecting the Blueberry – Jeremy Pattison
Attendees of this informational session will no longer have to work until they are blue in the face to grow blueberries! Learn the essentials of growing blueberries whether you're a professional producer or backyard grower.

May 12
From Farm to Fork: Understanding Food Safety Today – Diane Ducharme
Food safety is a major topic today and the importance of producer and consumer education is a critical component of the Program for Value-Added and Alternative Agriculture's work. Gain a better understanding of how to minimize risks with the foods we eat.

May 19
North Carolina's Changing Agriculture – Blake Brown
This presentation identifies the diverse components that make up agriculture in our state and the trends that continue to shape the industry. Blake's goal is to answer the question: "Why is agriculture important to you?"

May 26
Apples to Zucchinis: How Postharvest Studies Affect Your Food Choices – Penelope Perkins-Veazie
If you're wondering what processes fruits and vegetables go through before they make it to your farmers market or store shelf, this seminar is for you. Postharvest treatment, including the cleaning, sorting and packing of a crop, largely determines final quality and safety.

Building a Better Broccoli – Allan Brown
Broccoli is nutritious, tasty and possesses anti-cancer properties. However, this cool-weather crop does not grow well in North Carolina's warm climate. Learn how we hope to extend the broccoli growing season in N.C and increase its nutritional value.