Food
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One of the oldest methods of food preservation is pickling, which preserves food items in vinegar, brine, or a similar solution. The pickling process, combined with proper canning procedures, inhibits the growth of microorganisms like bacteria and denatures enzymes that cause spoilage, which extends the shelf life of the food. There are a few…
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Plants need a few things in order to thrive, primarily adequate light, nutrient-rich soil, and sufficient water. Water is one of the six essential nutrients for all living things. In plants, water is required for seed germination, nutrient transportation, photosynthesis, transpiration, and structural support. Too much water can be just as harmful as too little.…
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If you’re having trouble growing fruit in our area, did you know that the Extension office can help identify what’s going on? I’ve had several samples brought to me in the last few weeks off of plum, pear, and peach trees. Unfortunately, every single one of them has had the same problem – insect damage…
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A few weeks ago I was able to visit with a colleague of mine down in south Georgia whose county produces over $12 million dollars in watermelons each year – roughly $6k per acre in profit. While I don’t necessarily recommend that you try to grow watermelons at quite that big of a scale, they…
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Farmers have always been the backbone of America, tirelessly working to produce the food and materials we rely on for a comfortable life. As we look ahead to the future of agriculture, the concept of precision agriculture is gaining more relevance, importance, and funding. Although not a new idea, precision agriculture has become more accessible…
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Gardening can be an excellent hobby and has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and prevent disease and illness, as well as allowing for the production of flowers, ornamental plants, and foods. Being a successful gardener requires a lot of planning, learning, patience, and hard work. One of the most important skills for…
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Most everyone knows to pass on the coffee, sweet tea and energy drinks and opt for more water, but it isn’t always that simple. Healthy water consumption takes effort and commitment, but it is an effort that is well worth it. Water is vital to the health of the human body, providing for everything from…
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One of the cool things about being an agriculture agent is that we are encouraged and expected to pursue training opportunities to help us be the best resource possible for our communities. A few weeks ago, I was able to attend a mushroom production training at the UGarden in Athens, and I thought I’d share…
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In the U.S. alone, there are over 48 million cases of foodborne illness reported every year. Many of these cases are mild, but around 3,000 of them are fatal. As we head into the holiday season, I’m sure we’re all looking forward to enjoying delicious meals with family and friends. One important consideration to keep…
Posted in: Food -
By: Robyn Stewart When I was in college at UGA, one of my favorite classes I took was called “Issues in Animal Agriculture.” The class, led by Dr. Jillian Fain, discussed some of the most commonly referenced conversations about current agricultural practices. We covered topics like product labeling, environmental stewardship, the use of growth hormones…