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BirRichard

 

 

Richard E. Bir       

CHS Class of 1963


 

CHS ’63 Drama Club (3 Years), Science Club (3 Years), Science Fair, Green House (1,2,3,4)

University of Massachusetts-Amherst B Plant and Soil Sciences ’67; M Plant Science ‘72

University of South Florida Graduate Work Adult Education & Adult Psychology    

University of Florida Graduate Work Plant Growth & Development, Agronomy & Educational Program Administration

Career
Florida Extension Horticulture Agent (County Level); North Carolina State University Professor & Extension Specialist—Presents educational programs & demonstrations including: Cultivar & species evaluation for landscape & commercial nursery production suitability with emphasis on pest resistance with the aim of reducing the need for pesticide use; Nutritional systems for diverse container crops & media; Field fertilization including fertigation & controlled release delivery; Plant Growth & Development, Propagation & Nutrient Movement in Nurseries; Presentations: Over 250 programs in 3 countries and 19 states, 200 on-farm demonstrations;

Publications
Published over 60 Trade & Research articles including: “Pest Resistant Shrub Roses”, The Secrets to Success with Mountain Laurels”, “Managing Drought on Nursery Crops” & “Fine Gardens” Book “Growing and Propagating Showy Native Woody Plants”

Award
North Carolina in the World, Porter Henegar Award (Southern Nurserymen’s Association) First Extension Specialist to receive this award, North Carolina Extension Leadership Award-Only Horticulturist to receive this award, American Association of Nurserymen Extension (Education Award), Named a Fellow of the International Plant Propagators Society

Community
Southern Nurseryman’s Association Research Conference, International Plant Propagators Society (Board of Directors), The North Carolina Arboretum (President), Epsilon Sigma Phi (District Director), Transylvania County Parks (Governing Board), North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, CHSAA