Kay Yow forever linked NC State with breast cancer awareness through her courageous battle with the disease as well as the creation of the annual Hoops for Hope women's basketball fundraiser. Now, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NC State floriculturists have unveiled a new symbol of the fight against breast cancer - pink poinsettias.
NC Cooperative Extension and 4-H - the nation's largest youth organization and the only one based at land-grant institutions like NC State - worked with Trading Spaces designer Edward Walker to develop a design contest for 4-H'ers interested in similar careers, encouraging their ambition while helping to change public perception of 4-H - a group that does so much more than livestock exhibitions.
As organic grocery stores gain popularity and consumers become more aware of what's really in those artificially-flavored, vending-machine snacks, NC State is helping champion the benefits of locally grown food - all-natural delicacies that are key to healthy eating and give an economic boost to North Carolina growers and farmers as well.