Georgia’s top soybean producers were honored for producing high yields during the 2018 growing season at the Georgia-Florida Soybean/Small Grain Expo in Perry, Georgia, on Jan. 15.

University of Georgia vegetable horticulturist Tim Coolong received the Donnie H. Morris Award of Excellence in Extension during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia, on Jan. 12.

For more than a decade, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offered through the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Department of Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics has offered free tax help to Georgians with low-to-moderate incomes, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited-English-speaking taxpayers.

Many Georgia families enjoy building roaring fires in their fireplaces or wood-burning stoves during the winter. Whether as a source of heat or for enjoyment, when the flames die down, a pile of wood ash remains. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension consumer vegetable specialist Bob Westerfield says that wood ash can be added to garden soil in moderation.

Mason McClintock, 17, of Alma, Georgia, is the winner of the 2019 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Award for Civic Engagement, according to the National 4-H Council. McClintock will be recognized nationally for his resilience and leadership of his program, the Alma Entrepreneur Tour. 

A forested stand with fewer quality trees is often healthier than a forested stand with a greater density. Small-acreage landowners should consider using the Timber Stand Improvement Method.

South Georgia farmers, community leaders and business owners recovering from Hurricane Michael can learn about additional recovery assistance available at a free resource fair immediately following the upcoming 2019 Georgia Ag Forecast meetings in Bainbridge, Georgia, on Jan. 31 and in Tifton, Georgia, on Feb. 1.

Gov. Nathan Deal recognized three students from northeast Georgia for their efforts to spread the word about the dangers of radon as part of the 2019 University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Radon Education Program Poster Contest.

For the past 12 years, Georgia-based food companies have competed in the Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. Being named a finalist — or better, a winner — in one of the contest’s categories is a great boost for companies seeking success in the competitive food industry. A few of last year’s winners had one thing in common: They have worked with the University of Georgia’s Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center (FoodPIC).