Browse General Agriculture Stories

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins visited UGA’s Iron Horse Farm for a listening session with Georgia agricultural leaders. Producers and commodity representatives shared concerns on disaster relief, labor shortages, trade and the future of farming. They also highlighted the vital role of CAES researchers and UGA Cooperative Extension in boosting efficiency, yields, and food safety, strengthening Georgia’s agricultural economy.

You’ve probably heard of the U.S. Farm Bill, but do you know what it is? While it may seem like it only affects farmers, this complex legislation impacts everyone — whether you buy groceries, care about conservation or rely on nutrition programs. Yet, despite its broad reach, it remains one of the most misunderstood laws in the country. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agricultural economist Amanda Smith, a faculty member in UGA’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, breaks down some of the most common questions about this complex but crucial bill.

Leadership came to life for the largest-ever Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol delegation in Atlanta as 4-H’ers engaged with the civic process. Elected officials joined nearly 800 youth, staff, volunteers and supporters on Feb. 25 to celebrate the impact of 4-H in Georgia. State Sen. Larry Walker and Georgia Rep. Rick Jasperse served as legislative hosts for the 4-H delegation. County 4-H groups explored and toured the Capitol building, and many 4-H leaders arranged direct meetings with senators and representatives from their districts. Georgia’s current slate of elected officials includes many 4-H alumni, parents and supporters who welcomed students to the place where government comes to life.

William “Bill” D. Branch, Georgia Seed Development Professor in Peanut Breeding and Genetics in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, has been elected as Fellow for the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Branch is the 17th UGA faculty member to receive this honor, which recognizes inventors whose innovations have had a significant impact on society, economic development and quality of life.

Organic fruits and vegetables often face a higher risk of spoiling and harboring foodborne pathogens than their conventional farming counterparts. Because organic growers and packers must adhere to higher production standards and restrictions on chemical additives, University of Georgia experts are exploring alternative methods for protecting organic products and consumers through a new $3.5 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Building on the strong foundation established with the first cohort of Romanian-American Foundation Fulbright Scholars at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, a second slate of scholars recently completed a four-month fellowship with UGA Cooperative Extension to gather insight and inspiration for establishing extension services in the eastern European nation.

Arriving on the Athens campus of the University of Georgia in August 2023, five Romanian scholars experienced the same anticipation, excitement and apprehension as many first-year students.  Chosen as Fulbright Romanian-American Foundation Scholars, each serves on the faculty at one of three Romanian universities, specializing in fields from economics and engineering to plant breeding and biotechnology. The five scholars comprised the first cohort of the Romanian Extension Education Development Program, an ambitious three-year pilot effort to facilitate planning and implementation of extension services in Romania. 

From the heart of rural Georgia to downtown Atlanta, the newest cohort of the Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry program at the University of Georgia has been chosen from a broad field of applicants. The 2025-26 cohort of 25 participants was selected from more than 90 nominations, 70 applications and 40 interviews for the innovative, 18-month leadership development program.

Industry professionals, researchers and the public will soon have access to the latest in sustainable infrastructure technology with the construction of a green stormwater demonstration site at the University of Georgia Research and Education Garden on the UGA Griffin campus. The groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 22 with plans to complete several demonstration areas by the end of 2024.

Third-year University of Georgia student and Banks County 4-H alum Georgia Simmons has been in the center of the political action this fall with the Georgia 4-H Washington DC Intern Program. Simmons, an environmental resource science major in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, works in the office of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. As an intern on his staff, she interacts directly with policy experts and lawmakers, participating in the legislative process while earning a semester of credit hours.