A welcome to our newest BAE faculty member Dr. François Birgand. He has accepted a position as assistant professor which began April 2008 and he will be working in the area of ecological engineering and water resources.

Birgand earned his MS in France at the Ecole Nation-ale Supérieure Agronomique in Rennes, Brittany, France, in 1994.  He obtained his Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University in 2000 under the direction of R. Wayne Skaggs. Birgand has worked as a research scientist at Cemagref Research Institute in France for 8 years, both in Rennes and in Paris.  He is considered a water quality specialist in rural watersheds.

At BAE Birgand will be developing research and teaching programs in ecological engineering and water resources. His office is room 148 Weaver Labs, stop by and say hello...

Spring GRADUATION

• Ceremony Photos
• Formal Photos 
• Reception Photos (to come)

Graduates now that you are alumni of the department don't forget to visit the BAE Alumni page. You will be receiving the newsletter by mail once our database is updated and don't forget you can always access it on the web.

Keep in touch! and stay connected... throughout your career.

We would like to hear from you in the future... Consider sending the BAE Alumni Newsletter your alumni update (use the BAE e-form). If you ever need help finding a job don't neglect the many resources on campus which are always available to Alumni (no matter how long it has been since your graduation). The BAE alumni page will direct you to campus career services and other interesting things that alumni can do. Our best wishes are for  your future success.

One thing we would ask of you is to help us recruit new students into the department. We depend on our alumni because you are our best emissaries so, "talk-us-up".

 Remember education is a lifelong process...

Should you need to update your skills BAE offers continuing education training and credit.  After you earn a PE license you can also take engineering PDH hours through BAE (see workshops). Many of our graduates also return to take the Graduate Certificate program or to attend graduate school - Graduate Programs.

Last years the lawn mower clinic received such rave reviews that the students did it again this year. The students event is developing repeat customers base. Student advertise the clinic and anyone can drop off a small mower for the $25 spring tune-up .
The students continue to accept donations throughout the year to support the 1/4-scale tractor competition. To donate parts, please contact the department. For monetary donations, give on-line at: www.pack-pullers.com/ or mail a check to NCSU-BAE Student Chapter of ASABE, Campus Box 7625, Raleigh, NC 27695-7625

More pictures

Career Services Office

There will be 3 workshops for High School students given on topics in Biological Engineering. The workshops are part of this years Engineering Summer Programs established to introduce younger students engineering disciplines . BAE will teach workshops in Bioprocessing options, Environmental Options and Biofuels & Energy Cycles. To learn more visit: http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/summerprograms/workshops.html

WE CONTINUE OUR WINNING WAYS
For many years, BAE has had winners at the NCSU Undergraduate Research Symposium and this years is no exception!
Please Congratulate these students on a job well done!
Link to see the Photos and the Posters

Co-winners in the Engineering and Technology Area

Co-winner:
Title: Water Quality Improvements at a Large-Scale Wetland Restoration in Eastern North Carolina
Presented by: James R. Etheridge, Reid W. Huntley, Michael G. Smith & Rachel A. Watts
Mentored by: Dr. Michael R. Burchell

Honorable Mention

Title: Design of a Low Impact, Self-propelled Seed Planter for Small Scale Crop Production in Sustainable and Organic Applications Capable of High Residue Field Conditions
Presented by: E. Nicole Hill, Brandon D. Batten, Wesley C. Hicks & Tristan R. Lasell
Mentored by: Matthew W. Veal/Biological and Agricultural Engineering

April 24th Banquet photos

Each year the ASABE student Club participates in a professional development program. This year student members form our department and Virginia Tech meet in Charlotte, N.C. to participate in a ropes course at the Charlotte Outdoor Adventure Center (www.coacinc.com). The center specializes in providing action-learning programs that develop leadership and team skills. After the course the groups toured the Deer-Hitachi machinery plant in Kernersville, N.C. where they build excavators in a 400,000 ft. plant on 61 acres of land. See photos from the outdoor center

On April 15, BAE Extension Specialist Rhonda Sherman, who works in the 
Waste Management area, was featured on the evening news on NBC-17. 
Sherman demonstrated how vermicomposting and composting could be 
used to manage food waste instead of dumping it in the trash or using sink 
waste disposal units.  Here is the recent video:http://blogs.wncn.info/green/2008/04/15/go-green-with-worms/

Check out all the ways to learn about the earth, energy and the environment:

http://www.ncsu.edu/earthday/

NCSU Pack Pullers: Spring is right around the corner and that means pulling out that old lawnmower that has been sitting around all winter with nothing to do. There's a lot of work required to get your mower in shape for the season. That's why the Pack Pullers, NC State's Quarter-Scale Tractor Pulling Team, are operating a Lawnmower Clinic on Saturday April 19, 2008 from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.
You can drop your *push lawnmower* off at D.S. Weaver Labs where the student group will perform basic maintenance to the mower and have it ready to return to you by that afternoon. Mowers will only be accepted on Saturday between 8:00 am and 12 Noon, *(PUSH MOWERS ONLY, PLEASE!)*.
The cost of this service is only $30 and includes:
   * Changing the oil;
   * Cleaning the air filter;
   * Sharpening the blade;
   * Cleaning the spark plug;
   * Cleaning and lubricating the mower.
This clinic is a fundraising event for the NC State Quarter-Scale Tractor Pulling Team. This group of students design and build a new tractor each year where they compete against other universities across the US and Canada in Peoria, IL. More information can be found on the team's website:
http://www.pack-pullers.com
Hope to see you at this year's Pack Pullers Lawnmower Clinic!
NCSU Pack Pullers
www.pack-pullers.com

NC Irrigation Society Annual Meeting An invitation to join and attend the annual meeting.
Registration information: Fee $50 to include annual membership dues Student $20 Late fee $20 cutoff date 10/24
Program: 3 sessions (general not concurrent) -fruit and vegetable irrigation -wastewater irrigation -field crop irrigation Professional Education Credits -PE 5.5 hrs (pending) -Wastewater system operators 5.5 (pending) -Animal Waste system operators 2.0 (pending)

For more information contact:
Garry Grabow, PhD
Assistant Professor Biological and Agricultural Engineering
919.513.7348

March 29th. 2008, a number of students in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering participated in the Service Raleigh Event. Students were put to use cleaning up Rocky Branch which is a stream that runs through the NC State University campus. Service Raleigh is an annual citywide day of service started in 1998 by NC State's Student Government and Park Scholars. Each year, volunteers from the university and surrounding community unite to undertake a variety of projects, each of which provides much needed assistance to local organizations. Service Raleigh is funded by the Park Foundation, NCSU Student Government, and local donors. See MORE PICTURES

The 2nd Annual Departmental Mini BAE Job Fair was held March 26th in room 158 Weaver Labs. There were about 15 companies exhibiting and they were eager to discuss part-time, summer-time internship and full-time opportunities with our students. Many of representatives are graduates of our department and they know that BAE students are a good fit for their companies. After browsing the booths, networking and exchanging resumes folks could also enjoyed a buffet spread. See photos from the Job FAIR.

To build awareness of engineering ASABE students challenged other NCSU students to think like an engineer and solve a tough problem. Students who were passing through the main campus courtyard could stop and make something with only duct tape and aluminum foil. See photos of the event.

Students traveled to a farm in Wendell, NC to plant trees for the environment. Every tree helps. BAE students always get involved in some sort of tree planting event each year.

See more photos of the event

Check it out.... A WRAL news segment including a video about our student ASABE club constructing rain barrels http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2491884/ . The water harvesting cistern rain barrels were pre-sold to homeowners with the idea of helping with the drought. In addition to being the groups yearly fundraiser, the students had a great time learning and reinforcing their engineering knowledge of cisterns. The article also mentions software developed by student Matthew Jones which can help citizens calculate the size of a rain barrel a yard will need. More information about water harvesting and Matt's software is at http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/waterharvesting/ .

See more pictures of the event in action...

National Ag Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless other across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture. http://www.agday.org/

    More pictures

February  28th 2008- This was the second year the department held a Chili Cook-off in February. February is a perfect time of the year to spend some time in a warm kitchen cooking and who doesn't want to enjoy a hot bowl of chili on a cold winter day. This year the winter weather has been warmer than usual but the day didn't disappoint with a 28 degree wake-up call --- a perfectly chili (chilly) day. About 30 people gathered in room 154 Weaver Labs to sample from 7 pots of chili. Staff members Heather Austin and Cyrus Yunker were this years winners. They received special BAE aprons as prizes. It seems Heather Austin is the BAE'er to beat since, this is the second year she has won with a different recipe.

Making a Difference, a new multimedia Web site from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is now focusing on the College's response to the drought. The site is www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/difference/drought The departments BAE extension publications are part of this public information effort.

BioFules are front page news for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Many of our Bioprocessing faculty are doing work in this area. Learn more at:

See also our BAE topic site on Biofules.

FALL GRADUATION PHOTOS Graduates now that you are alumni of the department don't forget to visit the BAE Alumni page. You will be receiving the newsletter by mail once our database is updated and don't forget you can access it on the web. We would like to hear from you in the future... Consider sending us a newsletter alumni update use the e-form.

For help finding a job don't neglect the many resources on campus which are always available to Alumni. The BAE alumni page will direct you to campus career services and other interesting things Alumni can do. Our best wishes are for your future success. Keep in touch! and stay connected... BAE offers continuing education workshops for updating your skills. Once you earn you PE license you can take engineering PDH hours through BAE workshops. BAE now offers a Graduate Certificate in addition to graduate programs. Remember education is a lifelong process...

BAE held its Annual Holiday Party December 20th, 2007, in Room 156 Weaver Labs. The day was pleasant so we were honored to have quite a few retirees come out and join us for dinner. The department feasted on turkey, ham, and plenty more. The social committee created a tree shaped from live poinsettia and under it were gifts to be raffled off after dinner. The dinner was catered by Cracker Barrel and under the Santa beard this year was Dr. Mike Burchell. Enjoy MORE PHOTOS... and the New Year...

December 5-7th. The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering-Extension offered a workshop for contractors who are interested in biding on environmental stream restoration projects. This is a certificate course where contractors learn from state and other private contractors. The training is offered to in-state and out-of-state contractors. At the training contractors review state regulations and gain experience with techniques and machinery. The training took place at the Land and Water training center at the Lake Wheeler Rd field laboratory and on-site at the Rocky Branch Stream Restoration Project. MORE PICTURES and another album of photos are at: Google Picasa