University of Georgia
Landowners, farmers or sportsmen who want to increase the value and benefits of the land they own, manage or hunt should attend the 2009 Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day Sept.17 at the University of Georgia campus in Griffin, Ga. Federal and state experts in the fields of wildlife and forest management will be on hand to present the most up-to-date research-based information. The field day will include both management recommendations and real-life technique demonstrations. More than 25 topics will be discussed, including food plots, pond management, timber marketing, prescribed burning, cost-share programs, invasive insects, disease and plants and wild turkey, dove, quail, deer and small game management. Participants will be transported to field day sites via tram and will receive a booklet with topics and speaker information. Continuing education credits in forest pest control, right-of-way and logger will be available. This event is sponsored by the Georgia Forestry Commission, the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Georgia Department of Natural Resources-Wildlife Resources Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and Fort Valley State University. Registration costs $30, which includes the field day program and lunch. For more information, visit the AWFD Web site at www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd09/.Published on 08/27/09
Managing land and wildlife
Sharon Dowdy is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Experts/Sources:

Why the Farm Bill affects everyone — not just farmers
03/20/25 Emily Cabrera
You’ve probably heard of the U.S. Farm Bill, but do you know what it is? While it may seem like it only affects farmers, this complex legislation impacts everyone — whether you buy groceries, care about conservation or rely on nutrition programs. Yet, despite its broad reach, it remains one of the most misunderstood laws in the country. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agricultural economist Amanda Smith, a faculty member in UGA’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, breaks down some of the most common questions about this complex but crucial bill.

Pioneering the future of healing at the Regenerative Bioscience Center
03/19/25 Charlene Betourney
research.uga.edu
The Regenerative Bioscience Center (RBC) began in 2004 with just a handful of faculty and a bold vision. Today, it has grown into a thriving community of 44 members across eight colleges at the University of Georgia. More than a research center, RBC is a pioneer, launching the nation’s first and only regenerative bioscience program offering both bachelor’s and doctoral degrees. In this video, three co-founders, alongside a Ph.D. candidate, share that story through insights into the center’s groundbreaking research, innovation and commercialization efforts. They highlight the RBC’s greatest strength: a culture of collaboration and diversity.

37 finalists advance to the 2025 Flavor of Georgia finale
03/18/25 Lillian Sosbee
A record-breaking 173 products were entered into the 2025 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest, setting the stage for an exciting competition on April 17 at The Classic Center in downtown Athens. First-round judges tasted their way through a delicious gauntlet to whittle down the 173 contestants to 37 finalists that will compete for top product of the year. The highest number of products entered was previously 148 in the 2008 and 2022 contests. The Flavor of Georgia contest is offered annually by the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The CAES Signature Event showcases the tastiest offerings from market-ready small businesses in Georgia.

CAES drives nearly $900M of economic impact in 2024
03/13/25 Maria M. Lameiras
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences generated a statewide economic impact of $899.3 million in 2024, marking a fourth consecutive record-breaking year for contributions to the state’s economy. Divided among the arms of the college's tripartite mission of teaching ($265.6 million), research ($258.8 million) and outreach ($374.9 million), the total impact of CAES in 2024 was third highest among schools, colleges and units at UGA, factoring into the university’s total economic impact of $8.4 billion in the same year. The 2024 total represents a 7% increase over 2023, when CAES had an economic impact of $838.4 million.

What makes an insect an insect and a bug a bug?
03/12/25 Leigh Hataway
news.uga.edu
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.

CAES alum speaks for the trees
03/11/25 Ireland Hayes
news.uga.edu
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.