Southside Farms on NC Weekend

Southside Farms grows strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and much more in eastern NC.  UNC TV's NC Weekend visited Shawn & Tracey Harding and highlighted their thriving you-pick operation.  The segment at Southside Farms starts at 6:22.

Watch the full episode. See more NC Weekend.

Our lab has a connection to Southside Farms--Mandi Harding, our resident hops insect expert, is Shawn & Tracey's daughter, and has picked her share of fruit and veggies at the farm!  Now Mandi track the diversity and seasonal biology of potential insect pests of hops in North Carolina.

Once in a blue moon

It's been a hectic (and productive) field season, but being this busy means that lab members are rarely in the same place at once. So, imagine my surprise this afternoon when everyone was in the lab working at the same time! Shelley, M.S. student studying blueberry pollination ecology; Monique, M.S. student studying tobacco splitworm larval biology; and Richard Reeves, Ph.D. student revising tobacco treatment thresholds were all setting up various experiments.

Shelley was measuring and weighing blueberries from pollination efficiency locations. Monique was assessing no-choice feeding assays, and Richard was setting up a bioassay.

This lab togetherness won't last for long; tomorrow all of us are back out in the field. But I had to snap a picture with everyone working!

Now hiring -- summer research assistants needed!

Summer 2010 research assistant, Justin, near our organic aphid management trial. You, too, could spend your summer in the beautiful tobacco, blackberry, blueberry, and strawberry fields of North Carolina.

The Burrack Lab is seeking up to 2 motivated, reliable summer field assistants. These positions are a great opportunity for someone interested in applied entomology, agriculture, pest management, or field ecology. The right applicant will be enthusiastic, able to follow directions, and a team player.

Minimum requirement:
Individuals will assist with field work and data collection at various locations throughout NC. Applicants should be available Mon-Fri and have the ability to travel daily. Field work will take place in an agricultural setting where pesticides are used. Individuals must be comfortable around pesticide application and willing to wear proper personal protective equipment as deemed necessary by their supervisor. Data collection will involve following specific instruction and keeping accurate notes. Applicant must be physically fit and able to work outdoors in summer heat.

Experience or coursework in entomology a plus.

Contact Anna Chapman for further details and application procedures.