USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins visited UGA’s Iron Horse Farm for a listening session with Georgia agricultural leaders. Producers and commodity representatives shared concerns on disaster relief, labor shortages, trade and the future of farming. They also highlighted the vital role of CAES researchers and UGA Cooperative Extension in boosting efficiency, yields, and food safety, strengthening Georgia’s agricultural economy.

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.

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’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.

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.

From bringing more than 50 varieties to market to monitoring the growing economic impact of the blueberry, this series dives into the multidisciplinary University of Georgia research behind the top-10 Georgia commodity. “The UGA blueberry breeding program has been a key to the success of launching a significant commercial blueberry industry in Georgia in the 1980s and helping sustain it for four decades,” said Scott NeSmith, professor emeritus in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.