Agriculture & Natural Resources

Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents, are the educational links in relaying current research-based information from the University of Georgia to the local community. Agents teach agriculture and natural resources subject matter and provide educational programs through individual and group instruction.

Learn more about our Agricultural and Natural Resources programs and services including the Master Gardener program and testing services.

For questions regarding soil testing or other Agricultural and Natural Resources services, please contact either our North (404-613-7670) or South (404-762-4077) office.

Agricultural Services Update

As of December 14, 2021

Our offices are currently open to the public.

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The Soil, Plant, and Water Laboratory will be closed for the Christmas break:

Monday, December 27 – Monday, January 3, 2022

However, Monday, December 20, 2021, is the last day to take soil, water, and plant samples into the office before the Christmas holidays.

**The lab and our offices will re-open on Tuesday, January 4, 2022**

Thanks and have a Happy Holiday Season!

Upcoming Adult Programs

Chickens

Are you interested in having chickens at home? This 4 part webinar series will cover the basics of raising poultry for beginners. The classes will be held at 6 PM each Tuesday in February and will cover the following topics: Foundations of small flock management, breeds and selecting the right birds, nutrition basics, laying hen management, and behaviors.

Master Naturalist Continuing Education

If you are a GA Master Naturalist we invite you to attend any of our free continuing education webinars this year! February’s topic is Forensic Climatology, presented by Pam Knox, UGA Weather Network Director. See the list for other upcoming and exciting topics in 2021!

Hostas - Perfect Addition to Shade

Sunday, February 21 at 2:00 pm

This class is presented by Carole MacMullan, a North Fulton Master Gardener. No shade garden should be without a hosta. Hostas have been the mainstay of shade gardens for at least one hundred years. Even though their flowers are insignificant, the appeal is the diversity of their leaves. The leaves of hosta, thanks to hybridizers, come in a variety of sizes, colors as well as textures. Learn how to plant, care for, fertilize, and prevent eradication from hosta enemy number one - deer.

Below are some of UGA Extension's most broadly useful resources for those involved in agriculture on the farm, in schools, and around the home.

Production Agriculture:

Statewide Variety Testing Which varieties should you plant? The variety testing team does the work and research for farmers.

UGA Weather Network Reliable weather information for agricultural and environmental applications, including soil temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and more.

Pesticide Safety Education Everything you need to achieve certification and maintain the knowledge to safely and effectively make use of restricted-use and all other types of pesticides.

Commodity Resources

Sustainable Agriculture A collection of resources for those interested in production and marketing practices that are profitable, environmentally sound, and that improve the quality of life for farmers, farm workers, and the community.

Ag Budgets and Economics Resources for production economics, farm management, marketing, situation and outlook, risk management, financial management, farm policy, labor, and taxation.

Farmgate Value Report Annual county-level reports documenting the value of all food and fiber commodities grown in the state.

Search for UGA Extension Publications

Home & Garden:

Soil Testing Ensure that your soil is productive! Get your soil tested to determine the amount and kind of nutrients that should be added for the best growth.

Pest Management Recommendations for pest control around homes, on pets, in the home garden, and more.

Household Water Quality Water quality has an immediate and a prolonged effect on the health of your household. This publication series contains basic information about home water quality and treatment.

Home Garden Publication Series Topics include garden planning, soil preparation, weed control, pollination, disease and insect control, harvesting, and preserving.

Georgia Green Industry Professional Development The UGA Center for Urban Agriculture offers professional training and certifications for the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional, Georgia Certified Plant Professional exam and Super Crew employee training series.

Georgia Green Landscape Stewards The Georgia Green Landscape Stewards program provides fact-based information to help businesses and residences in Georgia implement sustainable green practices in their landscape.

Schools:

Community and School Gardens This Community and School Gardens blog is designed to help community and school gardeners succeed by connecting them to UGA Extension and other research-based resources.

Lesson Plans and Teacher Resources Whether you'd like to help protect the environment, teach your students how to avoid chronic diseases with healthy food and physical activity, or train food handlers in your cafeteria, University of Georgia Extension can help.

Extension News

Disease-Resistant Hybrids CAES plant breeders use wild peanut genes to produce a more sustainable crop. By Allison Floyd | Published: 1/20/2022
Cover Crops, Living Mulches The multiyear study will examine the use of living mulches and annual cover crops in cotton production in Georgia. By Maria M. Lameiras | Published: 1/6/2022
Starting Seeds It’s almost that time of year again: January is the month for seed catalogs galore. By Alicia Holloway | Published: 12/30/2021