Recent Posts
-
From Gardens to Ag Days – Spring Growth in ANR Outreach From April to June, ANR programming included a variety of educational and community engagement efforts. A home vegetable gardening class was offered, which taught participants how to start and maintain a successful garden. A forage farm tour was also held, covering a wide range…
-
Georgia pond owners are grappling with an increasing presence of two invasive aquatic plants—Duckweed (Lemna spp.) and Watermeal (Wolffia spp.)—that are threatening the health of freshwater ecosystems across the state. These tiny, free-floating plants reproduce quickly and can blanket pond surfaces within days, leading to severe consequences such as oxygen depletion, fish kills, and ecosystem…
-
One of the most important steps in grilling is making sure your meat and poultry are cooked to the correct internal temperature. Harmful bacteria are destroyed only when food reaches certain temperatures, and eyeballing it isn’t enough. Always use a food thermometer for accuracy. Here’s a quick guide to safe minimum internal temperatures: And remember:…
Posted in: Food -
Now that spring has sprung and we’ve enjoyed our early bloomers, it’s time to take care of a few maintenance tasks in the garden. Shrubs like forsythia, early azaleas, and dogwood all bloom early in the spring. It’s time to prune them after they bloom and before they set buds for next year. A few…
-
May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month! This is a great opportunity to highlight proactive measures parents can take to reduce the risk of food allergies in children. One significant advancement in this area is the early introduction of peanut-containing foods to infants. What Does the Research Say? Groundbreaking studies, such as the LEAP…
-
When it comes to keeping our homes clean, simplicity is key. Many traditional cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can negatively impact indoor air quality. The good news? You don’t need a cabinet full of chemicals to keep your home fresh and spotless. By choosing multipurpose, natural alternatives, you can reduce harmful chemicals,…
Posted in: Home Health -
Written by Michaela Brown Madison County 4-H had a great weekend at Northeast Junior/Senior District Project Achievement. It was a special treat this year as 6th graders across the district were able to attend the weekend. Madison County had 11 students, grades 6-12, represent us over the weekend. We are so proud of our 4-H’ers…
-
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day often brings to mind images of lucky green festivities and traditional Irish dishes. This year, why not embrace the holiday’s vibrant spirit by “eating the rainbow”? Just like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, incorporating a spectrum of colorful fruits and vegetables into your meals leads…
-
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, is an invasive pest that has become a significant issue for both agriculture and landscaping in the United States. Native to Asia, it was introduced in the mid-1990s and spread rapidly, largely due to its unique overwintering behavior. The BMSB seeks dark, dry areas like vehicles and…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
Written by Michaela Brown, Madison County 4-H Agent Madison County 4-H attended Cloverleaf District Project Achievement on February 15, 2025, at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Project Achievement is one of the largest and most exciting, challenging and rewarding programs offered by Georgia 4-H. 4-H’ers choose a project area of interest, research a topic, then write…