The Heirloom Collards Project is a nationwide, community-driven effort to preserve and evolve heirloom collard varieties through seed saving, education and collaborative research. The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has joined the effort to promote seed sovereignty and strengthen resilient food systems across the South, engaging students in hands-on seed stewardship.

Each year, as planting season approaches, one of the most common questions Robyn Stewart receives is how to safely and effectively use manure in home gardens. Stewart, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Lincoln County, said the benefit of incorporating manure into garden soil is that it provides some fertility and nutritional value, but the real advantage is in the addition of organic matter, which improves soil composition and drainage.

June marks the start of hurricane season in Georgia — and there’s no better time to prepare than on a sunny day. In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we’re joined by Pam Knox, agricultural climatologist and director of the University of Georgia Weather Network, to unpack what hurricane season means for Georgia residents. Pam breaks down the difference between weather and climate, how El Niño impacts hurricane activity, and how Georgia’s farmers rely on real-time data from UGA’s 90 weather stations across the state.

Wayne-Sanderson Farms has announced an additional $2 million donation for the new Poultry Science Building at the University of Georgia. The gift brings project support from the Georgia-based poultry producer to $4.1 million. The combined gift will name the Poultry Science Building student lobby, a 1,300-square-foot space for students to study and network with industry partners. Situated on UGA’s South Campus, the 70,000-plus square-foot Poultry Science Building provides nearly double the space per student in each classroom than the previous facility.

As summer approaches and regular rainfall continues, now is the time to focus on managing local mosquito populations. During recent work around my home, I found mosquito larvae in nearly every object that could hold water: the birdbath, plant trays, dog water bowl, garden buckets — you name it. If they are in my yard, they are probably in yours, too. Mosquitoes require standing water for their eggs, larvae and pupae to develop.

Make room, Joro spiders. There’s another invasive species taking over Georgia yards this summer. The Asian needle ant is becoming infamous as a “medical pest.” Although this type of ant has been around in the U.S. since the 1930s, its spread through the Southeast marks a significant danger for those with allergies to other insects like wasps or yellowjackets, said Dan Suiter, an Orkin Distinguished Professor of Urban Entomology in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and UGA Cooperative Extension.

Georgia, traditionally known as the Peach State, is famous for its peaches, pecans and peanuts. But thanks to its mild climate, the state also supports a variety of uncommon and exotic fruits — like kiwi. In a monthly series inspired by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension publication “Minor Fruits and Nuts in Georgia,” we’re highlighting lesser-known fruits that can thrive in Georgia home gardens.

Ten weeks into his tenure as associate dean for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Michael Toews’ focus has remained steadfast: UGA Extension is about people and trust. Toews is kicking off his new role with a listening tour across the state as he expands his vision for UGA Extension with an emphasis on serving Georgia’s diverse population — both urban and rural.

The University of Georgia’s class of 2025 included the first student to graduate from UGA’s new doctoral program in regenerative bioscience. Introduced in 2024 by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the new degree focuses on interdisciplinary training in regenerative medicine, biomanufacturing, and biomedical imaging and computation. “I realized on commencement day that I was the first person to graduate from the program,” said Jinghui Gao. “I felt both excited and very, very proud.”

As we move into the 2025 hurricane season, it is more evident than ever that agriculture is dependent on nature. Even seemingly minor temperature variations have a significant impact on the precise mechanics of plants, animals and insects. As average temperatures have warmed by 3 degrees over the past century, the question remains — how will we adapt our agricultural practices to ensure that all people continue to have access to food, fiber and fuel now and in the future?