News Stories - Page 81

Alfalfa, once a dominant forage in Georgia, is the third-highest crop for economic returns in the United States. Combined with cheap nitrogen prices, difficulty growing the desirable forage crop in Georgia’s challenging climate led to a decline in alfalfa production in the state after its peak in the 1960s.

As vibrant holiday plants begin to adorn the shelves of hardware stores, grocery stores and garden centers, consumers are attracted to the pinks, reds and whites atop deep green foliage, which add festive pops of color in winter homes. The appearance of plants like poinsettias and Christmas cacti usher in the holiday season and we love to fill our halls and entryways with their holiday cheer. But what about after the holidays?

Following the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, global leaders have committed to supporting and implementing actionable climate change measures.

Friends and family are invited to join fall graduates at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Convocation ceremony to honor the college’s newest alumni. The ceremony will take place in person at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall of UGA's Performing Arts Center on Dec. 17 beginning at 12:30 p.m. There are no tickets required, as the event is free for all students and accompanying guests.

A first-year animal science major from Metter, Georgia, Gracie Grimes considers her small hometown to be a haven. Her passion for agriculture, coupled with her excellent academics, helped Grimes earn one of four spots in the first cohort of the Rural Scholars Program in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Wayne Hanna, a legend in the plant breeding world, specifically with turfgrass, retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2002. He immediately joined the faculty at the University of Georgia’s Tifton campus. When he arrived, he asked the assistant dean if he could work on developing a cold-tolerant citrus tree that produced seedless fruit. “Go ahead” was the answer.

The Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island — an important hub for environmental education and youth development in southeast Georgia — celebrated 75 years of operation on Nov. 1.

A publicly commissioned sculpture at the new home of University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in Athens-Clarke County takes the age-old question of “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” to new heights.

University of Georgia researchers have identified a new species of bacteria, which they have named Pseudomonas alliivorans — from “allium vorans,” which translates as onion devourer or eater.