Elevate is a federally funded, evidence-informed program that helps couples manage stress, spend quality time together, and develop new skills to strengthen their relationship, said project director Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension human development specialist in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The program leverages the statewide UGA Extension network and community partners to deliver training both virtually and in person.

Checking expiration dates is second nature for many consumers, a routine part of deciding what’s safe to eat. But those dates often indicate peak quality rather than actual safety, leading people to throw away perfectly good food out of caution — wasting both meals and money in the process. Between 30% and 40% of the food supply in the United States is wasted, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. A portion of that stems from consumer misunderstanding of food labels, said Carla Schwan, a food safety specialist with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

Ben Hill County 4-H captured a first place win in the National Consumer Decision Making division at the Family and Consumer Science National Championship and Conference on Jan. 17 in San Antonio, Texas. The winning team members included Thomas Holt, Nandini Patel, Landon Sinyard and Ruby Witt, with support from coach Laura Lee Hughes, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension 4-H agent and county coordinator for Ben Hill County.

The University of Georgia contributed $8.4 billion to the state’s economy in fiscal year 2024, an increase of $300 million from the previous year and a record for the state’s flagship university. The increased economic impact was powered by growth in the number of degrees conferred at the graduate and undergraduate levels, an increase in externally funded research and the positive effects of UGA’s public service and outreach efforts across the state.

For the first time in its history, the University of Georgia topped $600 million in research and development expenditures in fiscal year 2024. Its $628.1 million in expenditures represents a 10% increase year over year and yet another record high in R&D activity, marking the sixth consecutive year of growth for the university. “The University of Georgia is embracing its role as one of America’s top public research universities, and I am grateful to everyone who is helping us advance this vital mission,” said President Jere W. Morehead.

Five alumni from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will be honored next month at the 69th annual CAES Alumni Association Awards banquet on March 21 at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. The annual ceremony honors college alumni for their outstanding achievements. The event also includes recognition of new inductees into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame. “Agriculture and agribusinesses are vital to many of our communities and vital to each of us in our daily lives,” said Carlton Self, CAES Alumni Association board president.

In their later years, many people find themselves unprepared to manage the assets they’ve worked a lifetime to accumulate. Without a clear estate plan, families can face emotional turmoil, legal disputes and the potential loss of generational wealth. To address this topic, a collaborative effort between University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and Fort Valley State University Extension hosts workshops and one-on-one clinics designed to equip residents with the knowledge and resources they need to protect their assets.

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the nation’s first drinking water standard for “forever chemicals,” a group of persistent, human-made chemicals that can pose a health risk to people at even the smallest detectable levels of exposure. The new rules are part of efforts to limit pollution from these per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which can persist in the environment for centuries. Supported by a nearly $1.6 million grant from the EPA, researchers from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are developing improved, cost-effective treatment systems with advanced technologies for removing PFAS.

A new cohort has been selected for the Rural Engagement Workshop for Academic Faculty. The award-winning interdisciplinary program leverages the community engagement experience of UGA’s public service and extension faculty to support collaborative academic research that benefits rural Georgia. The primary aim is to enhance partnerships with communities throughout Georgia by fostering collaborative, rural-focused research and scholarship.