News Stories - Page 773

Whether you're a beginning gardener or a seasoned veteran, growing herbs can be well worth the effort, says a University of Georgia horticulture professor. "Once you begin to flavor meats and soups with your own plants, all other cooking becomes bland," said Wayne McLaurin.

In the ongoing debate over how safe the U.S. food supply really is, a new study shows getting back to nature may not be the answer. Some experts believe organic foods may be riskier than conventionally grown foods because of potential contamination with E. coli, says a University of Georgia scientist.

A recent cut in crop insurance premiums may help keep many of Georgia's farmers in business. Plunging prices and rising costs have many farmers struggling to stay afloat. For many, that means buying little insurance, or none at all. And a University of Georgia scientist said that can be dangerous for the state's $6 billion farm industry. A sound crop insurance program can keep the United States from depending totally on other countries for food, said Don Shurley.

Before you even plant a new pecan tree, you may have already decided its success, says a University of Georgia scientist. The variety you select and where you plant it are the most critical choices homeowners can make when planting pecan trees, said Tom Crocker.

Don't expect the recently announced federal payments to small pork producers to help Georgia farmers much, says a University of Georgia economist.

I have visited thousands of gardens over the past 20 years. A few of them have clearly been major failures. Many have been fair to good. But a few have been truly outstanding. You know the type - picture-perfect, with beautiful, scrumptious vegetables that would make any gardener proud. Just like those gardens featured on the cover of many seed catalogs.

Milk and fresh juices could soon taste better and stay fresh longer, thanks to a breakthrough pasteurization method developed at the University of Georgia. The new method uses high pressure instead of heat. Right now, the process of heating changes the flavor of juices and milk," said Romeo Toledo.

A nippy new year sent a shiver through Vidalia onion farmers. But they're breathing easier now. The frosty first week caused little damage to the sweet Georgia crop, said a University of Georgia scientist. "We saw some damage to the leaves," said Al Purvis.

If you want your muscadines to grow more grapes and less tangled vines this summer, this winter is an important time for you, says a University of Georgia expert. "Muscadines grow so vigorously every season the vines can get very congested if they go unpruned," said Gerard Krewer.

The bone-chilling cold of early January was exactly what Georgia peach and blueberry growers need, say University of Georgia experts. But they need a lot more.