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Love them or hate them, bugs are a fact of life in the South. But some UGA researchers are determined to make these little beasties your new besties. CAES News
A Bug’s Life
While bees and butterflies often feel the public’s love, less conventionally attractive creepy-crawlies like cicadas and Joro spiders are left out in the cold—or, worse, squished. “I think insect conservation is one of the most overlooked areas of conservation biology,” says William Snyder, a professor of entomology in UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “They’re not huggable; not many species of insects are charismatic. But insects support so many ecosystems.” Why should you care? Well, for starters, bugs are everywhere. Insects alone make up more than half of all the animals on Earth.
For more than 25 years, Andres Villegas has dedicated his career to promoting agriculture and the healthy, sustainable management of forests. (Photo Special) CAES News
Andres Villegas
Andres Villegas knows a thing or two about trees, and he wants you to know them as well. Throughout his career in the agriculture and forestry industry, Villegas has become an advocate and bridge builder connecting rural and urban communities through sustainable food and fiber products. Villegas was born in Colombia but moved to Athens at 8 months old when his parents, Pedro Villegas and Angela Villegas, returned to the University of Georgia for his father to become a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine. From a young age, Villegas was interested in natural resources and agriculture.
CAES research shows that community volunteers have significant influence over adopting climate-adaptive practices in community gardens, such as the North Fulton Community Garden in Atlanta. Above, local resident Maxwell Barton and Fulton County Cooperative Extension Agent Gabrielle LaTora pull weeds from a planting bed during a community cleaning day at the garden in 2023. (Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA) CAES News
Community Solutions
Approximately 18 million U.S. households experienced food insecurity at some point in 2023, representing more than 13% of the population. One effective solution to confront this harsh reality on the local level is community gardens, but specific effects of climatic changes like altered rainfall patterns are introducing new hurdles for many grassroots efforts dedicated to growing and producing healthy, fresh foods, according to research from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Georgia 4-H'ers and Georgia 4-H leaders were welcomed to the Georgia State Capitol on Feb. 25 by state representatives and senators, who posed with the group on the Oglethorpe steps. CAES News
2025 4-H Day at the Capitol
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.
Angela Dupree CAES News
Sweet Role
Angela Dupree’s office is overflowing with elfin magic. Her office mate is Ernie the Elf, the Hollow Tree conference room is around the corner, and it’s her job to make sure the cookies you buy in the store are perfect, batch after batch. Dupree, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental health and a minor in environmental soil science from the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 1992, is the food safety and quality manager at Ferrero Bakery in Augusta, Georgia.
Consuelo De Moraes, is a chemical ecologist and full professor who directs the Laboratory of Biocommunication and Entomology at ETH Zürich. 1998 PhD Entomology CAES News
World Wonderer
Over a Zoom call from Switzerland, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences alum Consuelo De Moraes shows a video of a bumblebee nibbling on a leaf in a semicircular motion, a behavior that accelerates the flowering process when pollen is scarce. As she explains the movements of the bumblebee, she is wide-eyed and fascinated. This insect behavior is one of the latest discoveries for De Moraes, a chemical ecologist and professor who directs the Laboratory of Biocommunication and Entomology at ETH Zürich.
jouman hassan and issmat kassem CAES News
International Postdoc
From the small village of Batloun in the mountains of Lebanon to the American University of Beirut, Jouman Hassan carried the lessons her parents instilled in her. Their guidance has served her well at the University of Georgia. At the graduation ceremony for the UGA Griffin campus in December, Hassan shared powerful wisdom from her mother. “Jouman, the word ‘impossible’ doesn’t exist in my dictionary — I erased it,” Hassan recalled her mother saying to her, and she has used the words as a talisman throughout her academic journey. 
Young lettuce seedlings growing in a greenhouse. CAES News
Seed Starting
Starting seeds indoors can give you a jump on the growing season, helping you stay ahead of the stifling summer heat and the inevitable wave of insect pests. While the cold lingers, plenty of garden prep can be done indoors, including ordering seeds, mapping out your garden and purchasing supplies online or from your local gardening store. With mild afternoons upon us, you’ll be ready to tackle outdoor preparations. To help you get the best results when starting seeds, we turned to three top experts from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension to set you up for success.
Leah Whitmoyer is currently in Tunisia working on a variety of agricultural research projects through the Fulbright U.S. student program. In this photo from 2024, she conducts field work during a study abroad trip. (Submitted photo) CAES News
Fulbright Students
Seventeen University of Georgia students received Fulbright offers for the 2024-25 academic year, placing UGA among the top-producing institutions for Fulbright U.S. students. This is the third year in a row — and the seventh time in 12 years — that UGA has been named a top producer of Fulbright U.S. students. Leah Whitmoyer, Fulbright recipient and recent College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences grad, is in Tunisia working on agricultural research projects addressing compost production, well water sampling for salinity and aquifer monitoring.