Arkansas suitable for Bio-mass energy

Are you paying high for gas in Arkansas? Do not worry Arkansas State University Assistant professor Kevin Humphrey finds out that Arkansas is suitable place for bio-energy.Dr. Kevin Humphrey demonstrated the class of agriculture communication on Wednesday morning how the bio-energy is extracted from the different types of grass. After conducting long time research by Director of agricultural lab Dr. Humphrey and his colleagues has found that Arkansas is the suitable to grow the grass “Sky keepers” for bio-energy production.

To test the different pesticides and the mineral uses to grow the grass Dr. Humphrey has cultivated using the different minerals in different plot. “All the plots grasses are grew well, and it will be tall around 16 feet” Humphrey said.“In all regions of Mississippi Delta regions these sky skippers can be grown, and after some test and procedures we will encourage farmers to grow such grass” Humphrey added. Even he claims that due to the political interfere in alternative source of energy it is taking long time to come in the market for the costumers.

Not only the sky skipper’s soybean, Camel ion and other different crops can be also use for bio-energy. And these all can be easily grown in Arkansas. Likewise, after the tour of the field, Dr. Humphrey took the class to the lab and show how the bio-energy is produce.

Dogs at Northeast Arkansas are in danger of “Dog Heartworm” diseases

Jonesboro- A recent study by Entomologist Tanja McKay reflects that more than 73% of the dogs are in danger of mosquito diseases “Dog Heartworm” at Northeast Arkansas.

Mosquito specialist of Arkansas State University, McKay explains the class of agricultural communication that in Northeast Arkansas more than 7% of overall mosquitoes are positive on “Heartworm” diseases. She says “among those mosquitoes more than 73% of them were found at the kennel of people houses”. “Firstly, infected mosquitoes bite the dogs and leave the worm. The worms reach to the heart of dog and die after some days” she explained to the class.

She added that to treat such diseases is very danger and it is very tough. Dogs should be kept in hospital more than a month and for several days dogs are not allowed to move their body.

During her presentation she explains the life cycle of the mosquito and explains the some of the diseases caused by the mosquito such as Malaria, Dengue etc. Mosquito, which are more likely to grow in silent water, are dangerous rather than useful.

Female mosquitos are those which bite the human beings and animals. To prevent for the different diseases McKay explains several prevention techniques. Firstly, she explains the biological way to control the mosquito. If some fish are leave in the water they usually eat up the larva and pupa. So, this way biological we can control the mosquito. Secondly, she explains to use some chemicals such as Larviciding.

Likewise, McKay shares that different kinds of lotions found in the market also prevent bite from the mosquito. Meanwhile, during the night time net is the most effective tool to prevent from the mosquito. If we sleep inside the net it prevents from the mosquito bite and several dieases too, she explained.

During the presentation McKay answers the several questions of the students. Even she invited the entire student to visit the mosquito room located at Arkansas State University Biological Science building.

Practicing Agriculture News Writing

McKay discussing on Mosquito

Jonesboro- Dr. Tanja McKay is discussing about the mosquitos at agricultural communication class on Thursday at department of journalism, Arkansas State University.

McKay is discussing about the mosquito life cycle, diseases transmitted from mosquito and the prevention that is needed to be done from mosquito to the agricultural communication class early morning at 7:30 am.

Last month Arkansas State was affected by the flood where most of the counties were under severe weather of flood warning. After entering the flood water into the field and the communities there is high chance of increase in the mosquito which might result of epidemic diseases. For the information, agriculture communication instructor Dr. Lillie Fears had invited MacKay as a guest speaker in the class.

Dr. MacKay has her research interest on mosquito, dung beetles and other insects. She has published her numerous research papers in different journals.

Communication Student’s at agricultural lab

Jonesboro- Students of agricultural communication of Arkansas State University is visiting Agricultural lab on this Wednesday at 7:30 am.

During the visit students will be provided information about the lab by specialists Dr. John Humphrey. Humphrey is assistant professor at agriculture department. Class will be visiting

biomass field test plots, oil seed test plots and tour to the different agricultural farms.

After the visit students are supposed to write an article regarding to the information they got from the field visit. Even they are supposed to post some information that they learned from the tour and discussion with Dr. Humphrey.

Development of Agriculture in the United States

When my professor Dr. Fears started to explain about the history of agriculture in the United States, I was thinking why most of the Universities in the United States were named before as A & M college. But later, I realized for the more development and to conduct more research in the field of agriculture such Universities were established. As, the class was going smoothly, I came to know lot of facts. From 18th century in the States agriculture communication started. The first american periodical, the agriculture museum was published in 1811.

Likewise, there were some more facts about Massachusetts agricultural society which plays a vital role to develop the agricultural communication. Massachusetts Agricultural society created communication channels and published a agricultural journal in 1832. Likewise, according to the development of the communication in the United States, agriculture communication was also developed.

So, to know how the red Indians used to do the agriculture and how it develop progressively, Dr. Fears took us to field visit at Arkansas State University Museum. It was very educative visit. I saw the different ancient agricultural tools.

But I was surprise till now in our country some of those equipments are used. Now I realize how much other country are backward in the agriculture. They are using very old fashioned equipments till now while, the U.S. is using digital technology.

Agriculture Communication- Lots of fun, excitement and intresting

It has been long time I did not post any document. It is now time to rock this summer with fun, joy, and to gain lot of new things. As, I was confused which class I could take this summer, I search all the departments and the courses offered by Arkansas State University. I was confused I had taken already "Journalism Seminar" last summer. So, my department (Department of Journalism) offers this time too Journalism Seminar.

I was completely lost with other department subjects and courses they offered. But when I

knew from Dr. Gilbert Fowler, that journalism seminar which is offered in our department was "Agriculture Communication". I have heared about Development communication, Investigative Journalism, and bla..bla.. bla... But Agriculture Communication was new for me.

Then I came to know Dr. Fears is teaching that course. Then I was glad. It must be something new, some thing more intresting, and something more exciting. This solves my all confusion to take the course. I was glad. This was my fourth Class with Dr. Fears in my Masters Program.

Last two weeks ago I received an email from Dr. Fears, regarding some field visit and some tour related to agriculture. I was more excited. Then I was pretty much sure that this class will be more interesting, new, and fun class. MMMM!!! and This is Dr. Fears always. She teaches any courses so lightly, and so intrestingly, and she makes everything clear to student. Whenever I took class with her I never feel pressure. I always enjoy, I always learn something new in her class.

Today was the first day of my class. Early morning 5:00 am I woke up and went for morning walk with my sweet heart (Jeenu) and make my mind fresh. I reach the class 10 minutes earlier and meet some of new friend form Nigeria and Mississippi. We had really very diverse class. Some of them were from Mississippi, India, South Carolina, China and Me from Nepal. Oh!!! I am sorry I forget Azzz!!. He is from Saudi Arab.

When Dr. Fears handed the syllabus I directly jump the activities of class and see the different contents. I was glad. Even in the first day of the class I came to know about lot of facts about Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi. And the agriculture activities done at Arkansas. As, I read the course contents, there was field visit to Crowley's Ridge Nature Center by tomorrow. But unfortunately it was cancelled.

Whenever, Dr. Fears was talking about the agriculture in Arkansas, I was comparing the agriculture system in Nepal, with Arkansas agriculture. Nepal where more than 70% people depend their life in agriculture. (Agriculture in Nepal)

After going through all of the content in syllabus I was happy. There are some field trips, there are some guest speakers, and some watching documentaries.

I believe the must knowledgeable part of this class will be during field visit, while talking with some other people about the agriculture. How the media has view the agriculture at Arkansas. As, in our country most of the popular newspaper separates the pages for the agriculture. Is it the same here I am curious!!!!!!

In my opinion, this should be highly preferred in journalism or in mass media where people are highly dependable. I think in the United States also most of the people are dependent on agriculture. But I have never heard that journalists do investigation on agriculture, encourages people or the farmers to grow the products. Always whenever I see the news site there is either politics, either economics.

But many of people dont have idea that agriculture is most essential thing. And i bet there will be more viewers or readers if there is some agricultural news because most of the people are dependent on agriculture. Either in Nepal, or in China, or in India, Saudi, or in different other country agriculture is neglected by the media. But i am confuse either it is neglected or people give priority to politics.

Lets hope I could raise some questions on the coming up classes why we find less news regarding the agriculture in mass media rather than other areas as politics, economics, sports etc.