Recent Posts

  • 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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  • I know many of our efforts here at the Extension office focus on agriculture and natural resources, but our office can also help connect clients to resources in other areas. For example, one of our close partnerships is with the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which has its nearest branch in Augusta.…

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  • It’s getting to the time of year where I’m seeing questions about insect and disease issues in home vegetables and fruits. As you encounter issues in your garden, please feel free to contact us at 706-359-3233 for assistance with diagnoses and treatment of problems- if you wait too long, there’s usually not much we can…

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  • I love the spring and early summer in Georgia—as the days get longer and temperatures get warmer, I spend more and more time outside, whether just hanging out on the screen porch, working on landscaping projects, riding my horse, or hanging out at the boat ramp. This time of year though, I always get the…

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  • There are truly no qualifications to be a farmer- it doesn’t matter what demographic you are, socio-economic status, background, or experience level— by definition, a farmer is “a person engaged in agriculture.” Women have been a critical part of farming operations in the U.S. for centuries, but the number of women serving as farm operators…

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  • Every year, we hit the first week of April and I wonder how we’re so far along in the year. With some beautiful weather and plentiful rain in the forecast for the next week or two, it’s time to start thinking about chores to get your lawn in tip-top shape for the summer season. Depending…

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  • 2023 Farm Bill

    The U.S. Farm Bill is an important piece of legislation focused on America’s food and agricultural systems with focus on nutrition, insurance, conservation, land access, and more. The bill originated in the 1930’s as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation as a response to the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. The original goals of the…

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  • Extension offices across the state get questions on all kinds of different subjects. As an agriculture and natural resources agent, I joke that I’m helpful for keeping desirable things alive (plants, livestock, etc) and at getting rid of undesirable things (weeds, pests, etc). A common topic of interest I get asked about regularly is fruit…

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