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Published on 12/22/00

2000 in Review: Agriculture

  • Agriculture
  • Weather
  • Environment
  • Science
  • Foods

Jan. 5: Family Debt: Farm Crisis Hits Home. The farm crisis is taking its toll on farm family finances.

Feb. 9: 'Great Chill' a Blessing to Blueberry, Peach Growers. Donnie Morris doesn't describe the frigid midwinter weather the way many Georgians would. "It's just wonderful," he says.

March 14: Tomato Disease Hits Georgia Fields. A tomato disease that ravaged crops in the Caribbean and Florida has arrived in Georgia. Growers here wish it had stayed south of the border.

March 28: Fuel Prices Running Up Farm Bills. If prices continue to rise, University of Georgia experts say farm fuel costs could top $200 million this year.

April 26: Prices Down as Onion Harvest Hits High Gear. Most Vidalia onion varieties are heading to the markets with palate-pleasing quality, say University of Georgia experts.

May 5: Georgia Farmers Have Bumper Crop of Berries. Cool, dry weather early in the season helped you-pick strawberry growers develop a big crop. Warm, sunny days now bring out pickers.

May 9: Green Industry Going Strong in Midst of Drought. On the heels of a dry April planting season, there is one bright spot in the economic picture for agriculture: the "green industry."

June 19: Georgia Melon Growers Face Gloomy Fourth. For Georgia farmers who have struggled to grow melons in the midst of a hard, lingering drought, nature has added insult to injury.

June 27: Crop Insurance Act Good for Georgia Farmers. Georgia farmers struggling through another drought can take heart that a new law will help protect them against future crop failures.

July 25: Georgia Farmers Having to Abandon Crops. Many farmers have decided to give up on some of their crops because of the drought. Now they must decide what to do next.

Aug. 16: Coverdell Ag Scholarship Planned for UGA. Georgia agricultural leaders are starting a University of Georgia scholarship honoring the late Sen. Paul Coverdell.

Aug. 23: UGA Focuses on Emerging Crops, Technologies. A new effort to help the state's farmers began this week with the UGA's Emerging Crop and Technologies Initiative.

Sept. 21: Georgia Vineyards: Fine Wine in 'Shine Mountains. People have always come to Dahlonega looking for a brighter future. In 1828, it was the gold rush. Today, it's more of a grape gush.

Sept. 25: UGA Research: Cotton Farmers Losing Money. Georgia farmers who delay picking their cotton could lose money by sacrificing the crop's quality, say UGA cotton experts.

Sept. 27: UGA Opens Poultry Research Center Phase 2. A $5 million expansion of the UGA Poultry Research Center has great potential to help the state's $2.7 billion poultry industry.

Oct. 3: UGA, Cuban Scientists Trade Agricultural Knowledge. It's a straight shot south from Atlanta to Havana. And UGA scientists are ready to open doors to better relations.

Oct. 17: Peanut Crop Fares Well, Cotton Struggles. Georgia's peanut crop will be better than expected, but state cotton yields and quality struggle through another discouraging year.

Oct. 23: UGA Delegation Makes Historic Trip to North Korea. University of Georgia scientists this week became the first academic delegation to visit North Korea since the Korean War.

Oct. 23: UGA Ag Hall of Fame Inducts Three. Earl Cheek of Perry, Tommy Irvin of Mt. Airy and Josiah Phelps of Fort Valley have been inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Oct. 25: Peanut Prices Low on Farm, Steady in Store. Farmers are getting low paychecks when they take some of their peanuts to the market. However, shoppers will see no change in prices.

Oct. 27: Congress Marks $2.57 Million for Research. Congress has allotted more than $2.5 million for research projects at the University of Georgia.

Nov. 8: Gift of Land Becomes Key to Irrigation Research. At 80 years old, C.M. Stripling gave up 133 acres of his family land, strictly with an eye to the future.

Nov. 8: Farmer, Cows Like Georgia 'Dairy-Go-Round'. Dub it a dairy-go-round, or a cowasel. Whatever you call it, Tim Cabaniss likes what his carousel for cows does for his dairy.

Nov. 15: Georgia Pecan Crop Small, but Prices Stable. Georgia pecan growers expect a smallish crop this year. But a supply from last season should help meet demand for the holidays.

Nov. 20: Peanut Harvest Better than Expected. Considering drought has dominated the state for three straight years, the crop this season has turned into a pleasant surprise.

Nov. 29: Study: Oilseed Growers Can Raise Profits. A study released this week shows that Georgia farmers who grow oilseeds can make their crops more valuable.

Nov. 30: North Korean Scientists May Visit UGA. A University of Georgia agricultural delegation hopes to host North Korean scientists this spring.

Dec. 12: Sweet Crop Gets Ready for Winter. Vidalia onion farmers are planting the last of their fields and checking them twice.

Dec. 20: 2001 Outlook Upbeat for Georgia Farmers. Economists say better days could be ahead for the state's agriculture.

Brad Haire is the former news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Faith Peppers is the director of public affairs with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.