CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 11/22/16

12 days of Georgia agriculture

By Casey Chastain

As you begin planning your holiday meals, be sure to include some of Georgia’s top commodities. Pecans, blueberries, peanuts and chicken liven up your holiday feast and serve as a celebration of Georgia’s unique agricultural heritage.

Here are Georgia’s top 12 commodities and helpful hints on how to incorporate some of Georgia’s top commodities into your holiday.

  1. Broilers: Substitute your turkey for a chicken this holiday season. Not everyone enjoys eating turkey, let alone cooking it. A whole roasted chicken can be just as showy as its larger, gobbling cousin and much easier to roast.
  2. Beef: The holidays are a time for special meals, right? Consider serving steak for holiday dinner.
  3. Cotton: Use cotton in your decorations. Incorporate whole cotton bolls into your centerpieces or in place of the fiberfill “snow” in other holiday displays. Do not use cotton on a Christmas tree – it’s flammable!
  4. Eggs: This is a given. You are most likely using eggs in your recipes already. If not, scramble some eggs for an easy holiday breakfast.
  5. Timber: Much like cotton, wood can be used to decorate the house. You could also use it to make a fire and to roast marshmallows. Use caution when burning wood outdoors this season. Georgia is facing a drought, and one stray ember could cause your bonfire to spread quickly.
  6. Peanuts: Serve peanuts as a snack. You and your guests won’t have to break out the nutcracker to enjoy them. You can also make peanut brittle or peanut butter cookies as a dessert or for gifts. Make sure guests don’t have allergies before using nuts in your holiday meals.
  7. Dairy: Santa must have milk with his cookies, right? Chances are you are using one or more dairy products in your holiday recipes, and there’s a good chance those products came from a good, old Georgia cow.
  8. Blueberries: While blueberries aren’t exactly in season during December, adding frozen blueberries to pies or muffins can bring some of that summer sunshine to the table, even if it gets dark at 6 p.m.
  9. Horses: You’re probably thinking, “How can I use a horse in my holiday meals?” Well, you don’t. The days leading up to a holiday can be stressful. Consider taking the family to go horseback riding. Finding a stable that gives guided rides is a great way to spend time together as a family, even if you’re new to riding.
  10. Pecans: No matter how you say it, pecans are one of the highlights of holiday food in Georgia. Use them to make a pecan pie, pecan brittle or cookies. Once again, be sure to check for nut allergies among your guests.
  11. Pork: Step outside your turkey comfort zone. Try making a pork roast this holiday season. You can make it in the oven or in the crockpot so you can have more time with your guests.
  12. Ornamental plants: Be sure to decorate your house with plants and a live Christmas tree this year. Do not place plants near a fireplace or heat vent. Be sure to water plants and trees. Check for bugs before bringing any plant into your home.

For more information about Georgia’s top commodities, visit the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development at caes.uga.edu/center/caed.

Casey Chastain is a student writer working in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Office of Communication and Creative Services.

Authors:
Casey Chastain
Experts/Sources:
Kent Wolfe
From green beans to turkey to pecan, Georgia farmers have you covered this Thanksgiving.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
HurricaneHeleneGreenhouseDamageCropped CAES News
UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera
Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.
Holidaydinner CAES News
Holiday food safety 101: Tips to avoid foodborne illness from UGA Extension experts 12/04/24 Jordan Powers
The holiday table: For many, it is the highlight of the season, packed with roast turkey, savory stuffing, homemade pies and perhaps a cold glass of eggnog. It is also a place where bacteria can linger, turning a holiday gathering into a very different type of party. As holiday menus are planned and grocery lists assembled, Carla Schwan, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension food safety specialist, urges home cooks to remember one key rule. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
In Georgia alone, there are nearly 400,000 individuals employed in some segment of hospitality. With the unique mix of leisure travel in coastal Georgia and convention travel in Atlanta, HFIM students have a wealth of opportunities to choose the area that suits them best. CAES News
UGA redefines Southern hospitality through a thriving degree program 11/27/24 Claire S. Kinnard
There are nearly 400,000 individuals employed in some segment of hospitality in Georgia. With the unique mix of leisure travel in coastal Georgia and convention travel in Atlanta, University of Georgia hospitality and food industry management students have a wealth of opportunities to choose the area that suits them best. This versatile experience — with its focus on quality curriculum, meaningful interaction with local and national business, and experiential learning — has already begun graduating the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Conner Hall CAES News
CAES welcomes 2024 cohort of Rural Scholars 11/20/24 Maria M. Lameiras
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences welcomed its fourth cohort of students chosen for the CAES Rural Scholars Program this fall just weeks after celebrating the program's first graduation. Georgia Orman, one of four inaugural Rural Scholars in CAES, graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. The new scholars for 2024, all from Georgia, are Ela Ash of Ocilla, Lauren E. Coley of Cochran, Amelia Housley of Canon, and London O’Steen of Ambrose.
TiftonCampusSunset2 CAES News
CAES Transfer Pathways Program expands enrollment access for rural students 11/12/24 Emily Cabrera
The Transfer Pathways Program is opening new doors for rural students who dream of attending the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). In partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Southern Regional Technical College, students who complete required coursework at these institutions can transfer to CAES to complete bachelor’s degrees in one of three majors — agribusiness, agricultural education, and agriscience and environmental systems. 
Georgia is consistently one of the top five states to use the H-2A visa program and depends on H-2A workers for 60% of agricultural jobs. CAES News
Journey to work 10/14/24 Emily Cabrera
On a farm in southwest Georgia, the rising sun is just beginning to shine upon acres of lush fall crops growing in neat rows. Migrant workers are hunched over, quickly picking the dew-covered leafy greens destined for grocery stores throughout the country. At the end of a hard day, they head home to a shared house that has been provided to them for the duration of their employment. The next morning, they will wake and return to the fields for another day of work in the elements and finish with a shared evening in the communal housing.