Recent Posts
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While most boring beetles attack only dead and dying trees, non-native granulate ambrosia beetles (Xylosandrus crassiusculus), formerly known as Asian ambrosia beetles, also attack many species of healthy young trees. They tend to attack deciduous trees with thin bark, such as maple, dogwood, redbud, crape myrtle, ornamental cherry, fig, peach, and plum trees. Granulate ambrosia…
Posted in: ANR -
Erythritol is a type of carbohydrate called a sugar alcohol or polyol. Sugar alcohols taste about 70 percent as sweet as typical sweeteners – like table sugar – but provide far fewer calories. This is because our bodies digest sugar alcohols differently than sugar. Sugar alcohols are commonly used in sugar-free products like sugarless gum,…
Posted in: FACS -
In a typical summer, over 8,000 youth ages 9 to 18, accompanied by over 1,000 adult and teen leaders, travel to Georgia’s five unique 4-H centers for a week of camp that will be remembered and cherished for years to come. The opportunity to attend summer camp is beneficial for youth in numerous ways. For…
Posted in: 4-H -
Late February to mid-March, before plants emerge from dormancy, is the time prune trees and shrubs and apply pre-emergence herbicides to lawns. Pruning basics Pruning is healthy for plants. Strategic pruning stimulates growth and flowering and also opens the canopy to improve airflow and light infiltration for disease prevention. Aesthetically, pruning helps us maintain the…
Posted in: ANR -
For beginning birders, listening to experienced birdwatchers effortlessly differentiate between a Carolina and a black-capped chickadee, compare their life lists, and discuss their travels to see specific bird species can be daunting. But enjoying watching birds doesn’t need to be complicated, especially if we start with the birds in our own backyards. My philosophy around…
Posted in: ANR -
Forsyth County is part of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (Metro Water District), a pioneer organization in regional water planning that was established by the Georgia legislature in 2001. Since then, through the adoption water saving practices by industry, individuals and businesses, per capita water use in the 15-county region has dropped by…
Posted in: ANR -
Insurance is a tool to manage financial risk. Since life is full of risks, there are an astounding number of insurance products to protect against them, including life, renters, short- and long-term disability, vacation, and pet insurance. Within each insurance category are different types and levels of risk coverage. Understanding how insurance protects our financial…
Posted in: ANR -
Every New Year, the top resolutions focus on aspects of health improvement, like eating healthier, exercising more, or quitting smoking. These are challenging goals that require a long commitment. Testing your home for radon gas, however, is quick, easy, and could have a profound impact on your health. Radon is the 2nd leading cause of…
Posted in: ANR -
Living plants are popular as holiday gifts and decorations, but I wait until the last minute to purchase poinsettias, because they always seem to drop leaves as soon as I bring them into my house. I’ve learned a few tricks, however, that help seasonal gift and decorative plants survive through the holidays and become enduring…
Posted in: ANR -
In just a few days, school will be out for the holidays and many of us will be preparing to travel to see family and friends. Growing up in a family that loved cooking (and eating!), I learned that two key ingredients are essential to a memorable holiday gathering: good food and good company. In…
Posted in: 4-H