Chinese develop taste for U.S. pecans
As the holiday season approaches, many American home bakers will be looking for Georgia pecans to add to pies, casseroles or cookies. They won’t be the only ones. Chinese consumers will be buying, too.

Farm breaks new ground to help disabled farmers
Farmers with physical disabilities are often a little too self-reliant to ask for help or don't know where to find it. But help is out there. Soon, they’ll have an entire farm dedicated to equipment and training especially designed to help them farm more comfortably.

Send a taste of home to troops overseas
Millions of American soldiers will spend the holidays away from home. Many stateside family members will ship them tasty treats from home. A University of Georgia expert says to use caution when packing food and pay attention to shipping dates to make sure the gifts arrive on time and edible.

Holiday dinners are more than turkey
Thoughts of Thanksgiving dinner most often turn to turkey. “Last year’s bird was so dry. Perhaps we should try frying it this year.” But, there’s more to a memorable holiday meal than just the meat in the middle. Many family traditions are found in the trimmings.

Christmas tree farms offer fresh tree, experience
Many Georgians remember hiking into nearby woods as children to chop down that most iconic of all holiday decorations: the family Christmas tree. These days, a suitable one is less likely found in the backyard. But the experience can still be found, along with that perfect tree, among the acreage at a choose-and-cut tree farm.

Holiday plants best for looking pretty, not eating
University of Georgia horticulturalist Paul Thomas can’t think of any common gift plants that are necessarily poisonous -- most of the poisonous plants are those cut for Christmas decorations. He can, however, think of one that will light a child’s or pet’s mouth on fire.

Plants liven up the holidays
UGA horticulturist Paul Thomas likes to give flowering plants as gifts. A deep basket filled with a few pots of colored calla lilies or a basket with a cluster of cyclamen topped with white or silver grass “makes a stunning gift,” he said.

Read the fine print on gift cards first
When it comes to buying a gift for that hard-to-please person on your shopping list, gift cards may be the perfect solution. They are convenient and popular and many people view them as the next best thing to cash. A University of Georgia expert warns, unlike cash, gift cards can expire and lose their value.

Volatile October sets record temps in Georgia
Northern Georgia continued to see wet conditions as the southeastern part of the state dried in October. Several record high and low temperatures were set with an active weather pattern that sent both warm and cold fronts moving across the state.

UGA Traffic Injury Prevention Institute awarded $836,470 grant
The University of Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute has been awarded an $836,470 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to continue its education and training programs in the areas of passenger safety education, young and senior driver education and community programming.

How much is too much to gain when eating for two?
A pregnant woman must eat and drink more than normal to ensure the proper growth and development of her baby. The amount of weight to gain during pregnancy depends on body weight before pregnancy.

Putting dairy cows out to pasture more profitable
Since early 2007, grazing-only dairies added 6,000 cows to Georgia’s herd. Another 8,000 cows will be added by the end of 2010. While the grazing dairy industry has expanded, the conventional dairy industry has shrunk.

Adding the ‘ag’ to ‘tourism’
“It’s hard for rural merchants to compete with large chain stores in neighboring counties," said David Dyer of Monticello, who is interim head of the Georgia Agritourism Association. "So by having an attraction in a downtown area, not only do you build a sense of community, but it helps expand your market area.”

Kudzu-eating pest found in northeast Georgia
Researchers from the University of Georgia and Dow AgroSciences have identified a kudzu-eating pest in northeast Georgia that has never been found in the Western Hemisphere. Unfortunately, the bug also eats legume crops, especially soybeans.

Turfgrass institute set for December
Turfgrass professionals will learn the latest about their industry from experts across the Southeast Dec. 9-10 during the annual Turfgrass Institute and Trade Show at the Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center in Duluth, Ga.

Major buyer quits Georgia tobacco
In an industry slowly fading in Georgia, tobacco growers got a recent kick in the pants when their major purchaser announced it would no longer buy from them.

Bring potted plants indoors
When wintry weather rolls in, landscape plants must fend off cold temperatures and frost on their own. But some potted plants are lucky enough to get a free pass indoors.

Plan now for easy Thanksgiving meal
As the holiday season approaches, homes will soon be filled with family and friends. Thanksgiving is a few weeks away, but planning now can make the big day less hectic.

USDA wants to introduce families to their farmers
Kathleen Merrigan believes all families should know where their food comes from. To do that, they must first know where it all begins -- with farmers.

UGA spotlights education at 32nd Sunbelt Expo
Visitors to the 32nd annual Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition learned about the latest agricultural equipment, technology and information firsthand Oct. 20-22. They also got to watch college deans go udder-to-udder in a milking contest and witness the unexpected birth of baby roaches.

Wetter, cooler winter headed to Georgia
There is a high likelihood that Georgia’s winter will be wetter and cooler than normal.

Grant funds weatherization, energy education
A $1.3 million stimulus grant to University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences will help Georgians reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint, and create jobs in Georgia.

Georgia's organic produce acreage is growing
Of the more than 170,000 acres of Georgia farmland devoted to growing vegetables, only 3,000 acres are dedicated to growing organic produce. The numbers are small, but these producers are finding demand is high in their niche market.

Identity theft on the rise
In a single day you might write a check for daycare, charge a lunch bill, rent a car, change cable providers and apply for a credit card. These everyday transactions can give a con artist all the tools he needs to assume your identity and wreck your credit.

How students view time influences dropout rate
In the struggle to keep students from dropping out of school, UGA researchers are finding that how a student views time and rewards play key roles in why some students quit on their educations.

Reduce breast cancer risk with healthier habits
After lung cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. One in eight American women will be diagnosed at some point in her life. Some risk factors associated with breast cancer cannot be controlled, such as family history, genetics and age, but diet and lifestyle habits are risk factors that can be modified.

UGA pumpkin variety grows well for Georgia farmers
Heading to a local pumpkin patch to pick the season’s best is a time-honored fall family activity. Thanks to University of Georgia researchers, a better, Georgia-specific pumpkin is available for carving or baking.

Master Gardeners celebrate 30 years in Georgia
This fall marks the 30th anniversary of the Master Gardener program in Georgia, and Master Gardeners gathered recently to celebrate the occasion by volunteering their skills at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center, located near Buford.

Pickin' up pawpaws - a yummy garden chore
Pawpaws (Asimina triloba) are more likely to grow in bottomland with deep soil than on higher and drier sites. They send up suckers and form a small colony of trees, or a “patch.” It’s is the largest fruit native to temperate North America and has a soft consistency.

Georgia/Florida green industry updates
On Nov. 17, Georgia green industry professionals can learn the latest on their industry via a video conference workshop at five locations across the state.

Contenders sought for ag stewardship award
Nominees are currently being sought for the 5th annual Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award. For the past four years, Gov. Sonny Perdue has recognized those that are not only making a living from their lands, but also using the latest, innovative techniques to protect it for future generations.

Georgia peanut harvest looks promising
Peanut harvest is underway in Georgia, and farmers are on track to set record-breaking yields for the state, say University of Georgia peanut experts.

2009 D.W. Brooks Awards announced
A University of Georgia horticulturist, weed specialist, atmospheric scientist and county agent were honored for their work Oct. 6 in Athens, Ga., during the annual D.W. Brooks Lecture and Faculty Awards for Excellence ceremony.

Annual exotic pest plant symposium set for Nov. 5
The Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council will hold its 2009 symposium on Nov. 5 at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. The conference will focus on meeting the challenges of controlling invasive, non-native plants.

Decreasing food losses important part of food security
“In India, according to a 1999 World Bank Report, post-harvest losses amount to 12 to 16 million metric tons of food grains each year – an amount that the World Bank stipulates could feed one third of India’s poor,” said Philip Nelson, a Purdue University food scientist.

Soggy summer dampens Georgia pecan harvest
A pecan-loving disease enjoyed Georgia’s wet summer weather and is now blamed for cutting what was expected to be a large crop, says a University of Georgia pecan specialist. But farmers still expect to have an “on” year.

Soggy September floods north Georgia
Heavy rains caused record flooding in north Georgia in mid-September, while other parts of the state experienced and normal to below-normal rainfall.

UGA researcher sends new abelia plants to market
Abelias are perfect for Southern landscapes. The drought-tolerant, disease- and insect-resistant evergreen shrub thrives in Georgia’s climate. Thanks to a University of Georgia plant breeder, gardeners and landscapers will soon have four new stunning varieties to choose from.

“Gardening in Georgia” bids adieu in exotic style
The final episode of “Gardening in Georgia with Walter Reeves” will air on Georgia Public Broadcasting stations Oct. 10 at 12:30 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. Learn about orchids, pecan pests, cleaning houseplants and controlling bamboo.

UGA research funding reaches record high
University of Georgia research funding reached a record high last year with UGA researchers receiving more than $173 million from external sources.

Georgia Agriculture Hall of Fame
Wallace Beggs and Johnny Crawford, two pioneers in Georgia agriculture, were inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Athens Sept. 25. The Hall of Fame is a program of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Autumn spiders
From big, fat barn spiders to their yellow garden cousins, between now and Halloween we will be seeing more spiders around our yards.

Agritourism workshops
The University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development will hold three workshops across the state to help those in, or interested in, the agritourism industry.

UGA researcher sleuths stink bug’s on-farm travels
In recent years, the stink bug has become a major problem for Georgia crops, particularly in cotton fields, where it costs farmers millions in losses annually. To develop more efficient methods to control the pest, a University of Georgia researcher wants to learn more about it, especially its travel habits.

Water-logged lawns
As flood waters across the state recede after record rainfall, homeowners are left with a messy aftermath to deal with. This includes water-logged lawns that could suffer from the effect of too much of a good thing.

Home food safety myths busted
Just because your mother and her mother before her treated food a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the safest way. It’s time to bust some common myths about keeping food safe at home.

New iPhone app diagnoses turfgrass problems
What is the coolest thing about the iPhone? Its applications. The phone can convert international currency, find a nearby five-star restaurant, help park your car and do much more. Thanks to some University of Georgia experts it now can help turfgrass managers diagnose and remedy turf problems.

Watery conditions lead to mold, mildew problems
With floodwaters receding from Georgia homes and roadways following recent record rainfall, mold and mildew may seem like secondary threats to the many who find their properties damper than usual. But in a few weeks, that dank smell will alert people that they have a problem.

Make family mealtimes enjoyable
Mealtimes are one of the best opportunities to help children grow and learn. Families can share conversation and time together, while teaching healthy eating habits in a relaxed environment.

UGA process turns forests, farm waste into fuel
An innovative process for turning waste biomass -- such as dead trees, agricultural waste and lumber byproducts -- into a liquid fuel to power conventional engines has been licensed by the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. to Tolero Energy, LLC, a private biofuels company based in Sacramento, Calif.

Control leaf eaters
When insects munch on summer vegetable leaves, gardeners cringe but are happy the tasty fruit is spared. When bugs munch on fall crops like cabbage and turnip greens, well, gardeners must fight back to save the harvest.

Dry food to preserve the harvest
Preserving produce doesn’t have to happen over a hot stove or by finding more room in the freezer. It can be as simple as slicing it, laying the slices in a dehydrator and storing the dried pieces.

Trees go up and down on ‘Gardening In Georgia’
Learn the ups and downs of trees and the ins and outs of bulbs on “Gardening in Georgia” Oct. 3.

Muscadine vs. scuppernong on “Gardening in Ga."
From root to petal, the Sept. 26 episode of “Gardening in Georgia with Walter Reeves” takes viewers through the beauty of fall.

Ban winter rodents from your home
Fall is near. Leaves are turning colors. Squirrels are storing nuts, and mice and rats are looking for the best way to get into your home for the winter.

Is your child’s car seat properly installed?
“Car crashes remain the No. 1 killer of America’s children between the ages of 2 and 14,” said Andrew Turnage, public information coordinator with the Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute.

Rid your home of rodents
As the seasons shift and people spend more time indoors, so do rodents. A University of Georgia wildlife specialist says you can rid your home of those uninvited winter guests.

August weather a mixed bag across Georgia
Rainfall across east Georgia was below normal in August. However, the coastal area received heavy flooding. West Georgia received above normal rainfall, too.

Georgia farms will need more water in the future
A recent University of Georgia report shows that Georgia farmers will need 20 percent more water to grow their crops in the next four decades. They’ll need it to meet increased food demand and to compete globally.

Handy hygiene can help prevent flu spread
Georgia and Alaska are the only two states currently having widespread flu outbreaks, particularly the H1N1 bug, according a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tool storage time
Home gardeners who don’t plan to plant fall crops should pack away their tools for the winter, says a University of Georgia gardening expert.

Ag jobs shine in tough times
Many parents, students and high school counselors across Georgia are beginning to study which schools, degree programs and careers offer the best opportunities in the marketplace and society. Agriculture is not only first alphabetically on many lists but also is at the top of the heap of good opportunity.

Teach kids financial facts of life
Teaching kids the value of money can be harder than getting them to clean their rooms or eat their vegetables. But the knowledge will save them a lifetime of trouble.

Managing land and wildlife
Landowners, farmers or sportsmen who want to increase the value and benefits of the land they own, manage or hunt should attend the 2009 Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day Sept.17 at the University of Georgia campus in Griffin, Ga.

Food prices decrease on lower energy costs
A year ago, food prices were at record highs. Now, many products have hit rock bottom. Decreases in fuel prices and ethanol demand have impacted the consumer market for milk and meats.

UGA cotton and peanut field day Sept. 9 in Tifton
Anyone who wants to see firsthand the latest cotton and peanut research conducted by University of Georgia scientists should attend the annual UGA Cotton and Peanut Field Day Sept. 9 in Tifton, Ga.

Roots, shoots and trees on “Gardening in Georgia"
Gardeners often get dirt under their fingernails. On “Gardening in Georgia with Walter Reeves” Sept. 5, Reeves gets mud up to his armpits. Tune in to find out how on Georgia Public Broadcasting stations Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Fossil finding new life as a landscape tree
Homeowners may soon be able to own a miniature version of a living fossil thanks to a University of Georgia horticulturist and his research team of high school students.