As a plant breeder/geneticist, I am really pleased to see that there is going to be federal legslation passed to bar genetic discrimination for the general public http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=bill-bars-genetic-discrimination&sc=rss.  Now the only step left is for President Bush to sign the bill.  Back in the Clinton years, a law was passed that protected federal employees only. 
 

As a society addicted to convenience, one of our preferred items of use to help rush us through our day is our bank or credit card. It provides quick payment processing times for purchases without all the headache of carrying cash and coin or trying to write a check. I have been a “Swiper” for years, not only for the convenience but to track my spending habits as well. This blog is specifically for Swipers.
 

Everywhere there are signs of spring, but for me the real sign it is spring is when we start to plant the seeds for the field trials.  Yesterday, one of the students and I planted 52 flats in the afternoon.  We planted tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, brussels sprouts, etc.  Now I just can't wait to see the seedlings pop up through the dirt.  Then I will actually know spring is here and summer is on it's way. 
 

Remember the days when bigger bullies beat up smaller kids on the playground, or gave wedgies in the hallways, or swirlies in the restrooms? No, I am not waxing poetic on the good old days gone by. I have just been thinking lately about the newer, more sinister ways that kids are bullying each other. 
 

It’s that time of year that everyone is getting their seeds ordered for their garden and I am barraged with questions asking about what is the best tomato variety to plant.  To be honest I don’t have a favorite tomato variety. I guess I have tasted too many tomatoes and find that there are many varied uses for the tomatoes to pick just one or two favorite varieties.  My staff has some favorites: Orange King was a big favorite last summer in our field along with Juliet, a large grape or saladette tomato that was a1999 AAS winner.

           Hopefully the luck of the Irish will be with West Virginia State University (WVSU). Next week, I and a group of nine other travelers representing the University, Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute (GRDI), and state government will visit Ireland to learn and experience their internationally known tourism first hand. Ireland doesn’t offer just any tourism vacation; they are experts in a select new type of sustainable tourism called Ecotourism.

I’m looking for some feedback. I get questioned all the time about what kind of business will work in Charleston, WV. Potential clients often know they want to go into business for themselves but have no idea what type of business will survive in the Charleston area. As consumers, what do you think Charleston needs? How’s the night life? Are there enough family friendly activities?  Is there a trendy new style of restaurant that you’ve seen elsewhere and think would work here?

It’s true what they say: the camera DOES add 10 pounds!  At least that’s what I’m telling myself, and my friends in the broadcast industry corroborate the notion so I’ll go with it.  And my southern West Virginia accent, which I affectionately call my Appalachian Twang, is audible after all.  I guess five years in Charleston hasn’t been enough to totally reverse it, huh?  Not that I’m complaining.  Apparently it’s also true what else they say: we are our own worst critic! 

Welcome to the new and improved home on the web for the West Virginia State University - Gus R. Douglass Institute (GRDI). Today is our official launch day and we have great expectations for our new site. I hope that all of you who visit will feel free to offer input and suggestions on how we can continue to better serve your needs here.