Dr. Brian Whipker
State ESP Early Career Award
Dr. Brian Whipker has had a very active extension program. In a very short time in NC he has became widely known throughout the state for valuable information for flower grower. He has shared his knowledge at many in-service training sessions for county agents and at grower meetings. He has supported all the extension specialists in floriculture in their efforts to educate agents and growers in floriculture and has gained the respect of all faculty working in floriculture. He works closely with other departments at NCSU and throughout the region in crafting innovative extension programs. Brian has continued the pioneering effort of a multi state meeting started before his arrival and helped it grow in numbers of growers attending and numbers of states participating.
Brian conducts a very active applied research program with several graduate students. This program is aimed at solving grower problems. As part of their graduate program students often accompany Brian on grower problem calls, or to conduct in-grower-greenhouse trials. He has forged a team with the students along with the clients. Further, he has partnered with other floriculturist in NC and region in a coordinated effort to respond to industry needs. These responses to industry need are achieved not only through presentations at grower and professional meeting, but also in numerous popular press articles (88), grower manuals (11), web publications (11) and journal articles (17). To get these needed publications printed he has obtained commercial sponsorship because extension publication funds were lacking. His publications have taken many different forms of particular innovation are a color manual for poinsettia production or several color pocket sized card sets of production disorders for various floricultural crops.
Brian Whipker has been very active in developing new knowledge to feed a very active extension program in floricultural crops. He has numerous research, popular publications, websites, manuals, and ID card sets to service the growing floricultural industry in NC. He has been a leader of a team of floriculturist who conduct cutting-edge of knowledge and information development programs for the floricultural industry.
2001 ESP Awards
Xi Chapter ESP
