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Articles by UGA Extension
Repotting container plants for long-term health
Container gardening continues to grow in popularity across Northeast Georgia, allowing homeowners to enjoy trees, shrubs, and other ornamental plants on patios, porches, and small landscapes. While growing plants in containers offers flexibility and beauty, it also requires a little extra maintenance to keep plants healthy over time. One of the most important tasks is repotting. As plants grow, so do their root systems.
Keep flies in check to improve beef cattle health and performance
As temperatures climb across Northeast Georgia, fly populations increase rapidly and become one of the most common summertime challenges for beef cattle producers. While flies are often viewed as little more than a nuisance, they can significantly reduce cattle performance and profitability if left unmanaged. An effective fly control program not only improves animal comfort but also helps protect herd health and maximize weight gains throughout the grazing season.
Candler County 4-H attends summer camps
Summer Camp is a quintessential part of the 4-H experience for youth in grades 4 through 12. At summer camp, 4-H’ers practice life skills in responsibility, cooperation, teamwork and camaraderie while having a great time! This summer, 79 youth and adults from Candler County attended 4-H summer camp. On June 1-5, one rising 7th-9th grader and one adult leader attended […]
Well water safety in Madison County
Many families in Madison County rely on private wells for their drinking water. Unlike public water systems, private wells are not routinely monitored by a utility, which means well owners are responsible for ensuring their water is safe to drink. According to UGA Extension, regular water testing is one of the most important steps homeowners can take to protect their family's health.
The value of scouting your home vegetable garden
Many home gardeners look forward to harvesting baskets of fresh tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans each summer. However, one of the most overlooked keys to a productive garden is not fertilizer or irrigation—it is regular scouting. Taking a few minutes each week to inspect plants for insects, diseases, and other problems can often mean the difference between a healthy harvest and a season filled with frustration.
Diel variations in demersal assemblages in the Strait of Sicily, central Mediterranean Sea
Abstract Day-night variations in catch of demersal species were examined by a six-day trawl survey carried out in September 2017 on the shelf-break (125–155 m depth) off the southwestern coast of Sicily. A total of seven hauls per day were performed, distributed between full daylight and complete darkness. Two main assemblages separating nocturnal and diurnal hauls were identified using ANOSIM and PERMANOVA analysis.
Georgia Centennial Farm application deadline extended - The Post-Searchlight
Georgia Centennial Farm applications are now open to all qualifying candidates with an extended deadline of June 16, 2026. Nominees must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres of the original purchase, actively involved in agricultural production and must generate at least $1,000 in annual farm-generated income. In addition, farms must have been continuously farmed by members of the same family for at least 100 years or be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Dry weather, tough choices: feeding beef cattle through drought
Drought conditions across the South are creating significant challenges for beef cattle producers this spring, particularly as pasture growth declines and forage supplies tighten. Recent data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly 97–98% of Georgia is experiencing some level of drought, with a large portion of the state classified in severe to extreme drought (D2–D3) and some areas reaching exceptional drought (D4).
Reduce clutter with spring cleaning
Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start— and that includes your home. While decluttering can happen year-round, the season naturally inspires a sense of renewal that goes beyond basic tidying. What feels like “clutter” varies from person to person: some find comfort in having many items nearby, while others feel calmer with less. Why does clutter happen? Busy schedules and lack of organization systems often lead to piles of clothes, mail, or household items.
Helene wreaks havoc on crop production
The recent storm has caused widespread destruction across the agricultural sector, particularly affecting crops and infrastructure. Key industries hit include pecans, timber, cotton, poultry, and cattle farming. The southern and western parts of the county experienced the most severe damage, although impacts were felt throughout the area. Peanut crops emerged relatively unscathed and are seen as a potential saving grace for farmers.
Weathering the storm: Debby’s effect on local crops
By Blake Carter, ANR Agent, UGA Extension This past week, we faced our first real storm of the season in Debby. As with any storm, once the initial weather passes through, our attention turns to the aftermath. The question arises, what is the damage on our crops? This is where things get tricky. There are a few things to consider when determining what the damage is or will be. A hard estimate of yield loss is almost impossible to gauge currently.
UGA Extension Ag and Natural Resources earns state, national recognition
By Blake Carter, ANR Agent, UGA Extension Hey everyone, it has been a busy summer so far both personally and at the Extension Office. It has been a few months since my last article and I wanted to highlight a few things that have taken place since then, as well as share some new ways to get timely updates on what is happening in the ag world around our area.
UGA Extension: The buzz around the yellow-legged hornet
By Blake Carter, UGA Extension. The Georgia Department of Agriculture eradicated a yellow-legged hornet nest and queen on April 8. This was an embryo nest, reported by a citizen, located at a private residence in the Savannah area. On Saturday, April 13, a homeowner in the Savannah area also successfully located and eradicated a yellow-legged hornet embryo nest and queen.
The buzz around the yellow-legged hornet
By Blake Carter, ANR Agent, UGA Extension Hey Effingham County! Over the past two weeks, the UGA Extension office has received more than 15 calls and emails related to potential yellow-legged hornet sightings. So, what is the deal? Do we have them in Effingham? What can we do? What should we do? I hope to help clear the air a little and answer some of those questions. The Georgia Department of Agriculture eradicated a yellow-legged hornet nest and queen on April 8.
Music can play a role in brain development
Music has a powerful effect on our emotions. A quiet, gentle lullaby can soothe a fussy baby, and a majestic chorus can make us swell with excitement. But music also can affect the way we think. In recent years, researchers have learned a lot about how the brain develops. Babies are born with billions of brain cells, called neurons. During the first years of life, those neurons form connections with other neurons. Over time, the connections our brains use regularly become stronger.
UGA leads effort to tackle emerging threat to watermelons
Growers of cucurbits — which include melons, pumpkin, squash and cucumbers — face numerous challenges in production, leading to decreased profitability and less produce on grocery shelves. Weeds, insect pests and plant diseases are prominent biotic threats. Seven East Coast states harvested nearly 102,000 acres of watermelon and cucumber in 2019 and 2020, representing more than 62% ($410 million) and 45% ($180 million) of the U.S. production of the two crops, respectively.
Researchers attack emerging threat to watermelon, cucumber production
Growers of cucurbits — which include melons, pumpkin, squash and cucumbers — face numerous challenges in production, leading to decreased profitability and less produce on grocery shelves. Weeds, insect pests and plant diseases are prominent biotic threats. Seven East Coast states harvested nearly 102,000 acres of watermelon and cucumber in 2019 and 2020, representing more than 62% ($410 million) and 45% ($180 million) of the U.S. production of the two crops, respectively.
Widespread storm damage reported in Georgia
Strong storms, hail, wind and torrential rain have hammered parts of Georgia over the past week. There are multiple reports of damage to Georgia fruit and vegetable production as well as row crops. As officials work to assess the damage, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) reminds growers to document losses with photos and data and to contact their local FSA office as soon as possible. GFVGA is also working with its partners at the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension.
Farmworker health videos offered by UGA Extension
University of Georgia Extension is releasing a series of videos to promote farmworkers’ health and wellbeing. The video series is in Spanish and English. UGA is part of a national effort to improve farmworker health. In 2021, Georgia was in the bottom five states for adult COVID-19 vaccinations. UGA received grant funding to collect data on local vaccination rates. The data was used to develop programs about COVID-19 and other illnesses.
UGA Awarded $4 Million To Design Farm of the Future
Researchers at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences have been awarded nearly $4 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to develop a climate-smart “4-D Farm.” The project, The Digital and Data-Driven Demonstration Farm (4-D Farm): Juxtaposition of Climate-Smart and Circular Innovations for Future Farm Economies, is part of NIFA’s investment in regional innovations for climate-smart agriculture...
Is it good stress or bad stress?
Now that April and Stress Awareness Month has come to a close and we have moved well into Mental Health Awareness Month, I thought it would be a good time to talk about the difference between good stress and bad stress and how they affect your mental health.
Trees For The Future: Developing Climate-Adapted Pecans
Georgia is the nation’s leading pecan-producing state — and University of Georgia researchers intend to keep it that way. Working with an international team of experts, four faculty from the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) have received a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture award for the second phase of a study to adapt one of Georgia’s top commodities, the pecan.
Georgia Ag Forecast scheduled
Growers can view the latest research offered by the University of Georgia (UGA) at the 2023 Georgia Ag Forecast. Registration is now open. The annual seminar, scheduled for Jan. 27 at the UGA Tifton Conference Center on the UGA Tifton, Georgia, campus. A live virtual option will also be available.
Growers, rural communities aided by UGA stress effort
From forces of nature to inflation, stressors have an outsized impact on farmers and families. Producers depend on University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension agents for research-based advice to improve production practices. Now, UGA Extension and the university’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) faculty are working to provide important information and resources for helping farm communities under stress. “Farmers are tough.
UGA fruit pathologist inducted into IPM Hall of Fame
The Southern Integrated Pest Management Center (Southern IPM Center) has inducted University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit pathologist Phil Brannen into the Integrated Pest Management Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to commercial fruit growers throughout the Southern U.S. over the past 30 years. Each year, the Southern IPM Center recognizes an industry member for extraordinary contributions to the development and implementation of IPM for the honor.
Freeze damages pecans
An early budbreak just prior to last weekend’s freezing temperatures has caused damage to the developing buds of early pecan varieties. Below are some photos of budbreak on Cape Fear pecans taken in Crisp County on Friday (March 11). Elliott buds in the same orchard were also open. Budbreak occurs from the bottom up, so most of the budbreak on trees that had broken bud was occurring on the lowest limbs. Temperatures at this site reached 23 degrees on Saturday.
The 12-point checklist to ensure your planter is ready
Brad Haire Here is a 12-point checklist to make sure your planter is ready and dialed in for peak performance during planting. Simer Virk and Wes Porter, UGA Extension | Mar 21, 2022 When it comes to planting, preparation is the key as any breakdowns in the field due to planter malfunction or planting mistakes can cost growers both valuable time and money.
UGA Extension to offer solar energy seminar for landowners
Brad Haire Investing in solar panels as an energy provider or leasing to outside companies has been a growing topic in the last few years.
Price is right: Get moving now!
TIFTON – How many hours do you sit in front of the TV or stare at the computer or cell phone? Back away from the electronic devices! Do you want to live longer and be healthier? Of course you do!You can do this by being physically active. A big advantage of being active is the decreased risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer and high blood pressure. Being physically active can also enhance your ability to perform daily tasks that once were a lot easier to do.
Price is right: Get the blues - blueberries!
TIFTON – Now is the perfect time to reap the benefits of blueberries.Georgia is producing an average of 96 million pounds of blueberries and ranks first in production in the US. Blueberries not only taste great, but they're also a good source of vitamin C, iron and fiber. They're cholesterol-free, sodium-free and an important source of potassium.
Price is right: Beans are inexpensive, nutritious alternative
UGA ExtensionTIFTON – When thinking of a main dish for dinner, do you automatically think meat, poultry or fish? Why not add a little variety with beans?The possibilities of using beans are endless – and with just a little touch you can prepare an easy, inexpensive and nutritious meal for your whole family. They are high in fiber, low in fat, rich in complex carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals such as folate, iron, B-vitamins and calcium.In addition beans alone can be low in sodium.
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