CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 10/07/21

October's Georgia National Fair and Sunbelt Ag Expo are headline events for ag community

By Claire S. Kinnard
CAES representatives will be on site at the Georgia National Fair and Sunbelt Ag Expo to provide information about the college's research, extension and instruction efforts.
Digital strategist Carly Mirabile shows off the UGA CAES and Extension displays at this year's Georgia National Fair, which opens Oct. 7 in Perry. CAES and Extension representatives will be on-site at both the Georgia National Fair and Sunbelt Ag Expo to provide information about the college's research, instruction and extension initiatives.

With the harvest season in full swing, October brings the welcome return of two of the largest events of the year for the agricultural and environmental science communities: the Georgia National Fair and the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo.

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is no stranger to these two events, with delegates from each of its three mission areas — research, instruction and Extension — representing the college at both the Georgia National Fair and the Sunbelt Ag Expo to showcase recent research discoveries and educate the public on resources available through UGA Cooperative Extension.

Georgia National Fair

The Georgia National Fair, held from Oct. 7-17, is an annual celebration of Georgia agriculture that brings awareness through outreach and family-friendly activities for the community. The fair is held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, one of the premier fairground facilities in North America.

In addition to this year’s contests and competitions, including a much-anticipated scarecrow-building competition, UGA Extension professionals will be on hand to engage with fairgoers on a variety of topics. These resources, all provided free of charge, are a result of CAES’ continual commitment to providing high-quality, science-backed resources to the community.

Master Gardeners, volunteer community members trained in horticulture through UGA Extension, will be on-site as part of the “Ask a Master Gardener” initiative. Fairgoers have the opportunity to ask questions and receive immediate feedback on their home gardening, crop and ornamental landscaping issues. The Master Gardeners will be joined by UGA Extension agents who can field questions ranging from proper planting cycles to healthy eating and beyond.

Sunbelt Ag Expo

Following the Georgia National Fair, CAES will move a little further south to the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia, from Oct. 19-21.

Community members can learn more about the opportunites and services provided by UGA's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Community members are welcome to come learn more about the opportunities and services provided by UGA CAES and Extension.

An agricultural showcase held annually at Spence Field, the Sunbelt Ag Expo includes a 100-acre exhibit area adjacent to a 600-acre working research farm. The event boasts nearly 1,200 exhibitors who provide demonstrations of harvesting technology, tilling devices, irrigation advancements and precision agriculture practices.

Among the high-tech demonstrations, Sunbelt Ag Expo offers many opportunities for family fun, including pig races and cooking courses.

For CAES Dean Nick Place, the most highly-anticipated event is the annual Cow Milking Contest. A friendly competition for deans of Southeastern colleges and universities, the event will be a fun way to kick off the 42nd annual Sunbelt Ag Expo.

“Sure, I’m looking forward to the milking competition — it’ll be great to get back together with friends to see who’s kept up their milking skills over the last few years. After a sore loss in 2019, I’m planning to reclaim my title this year as a Georgia Bulldog,” Place said.

As one of the South's most important research institutions, CAES provides valuable demonstrations for community members, with this year’s focus centering on CAES efforts in integrative precision agriculture. CAES exhibits will highlight researchers who are developing drone technology that will enable producers to use object recognition technology, assess landscape cover, and take advantage of plant phenotyping.

Along with these high-tech displays, Extension specialists will also be on hand giving expert advice on best practices for dairy and beef cattle production, farm-raised catfish, and forage and nutrition.

“All of us in CAES are looking forward to both the Georgia National Fair and the Sunbelt Ag Expo — these are two events that allow us to connect with our communities, showcase the work we are doing in research, and provide UGA Extension resources to those who need them,” Place said.

For more information about the events, visit the Georgia National Fair website and the Sunbelt Ag Expo website.

Claire Sanders Kinnard is the senior public relations specialist in the CAES Dean and Director's Office.

Authors:
Claire S. Kinnard
Experts/Sources:
Nick Place
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.
Recognizing the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UGA graduates CAES News
UGA celebrates 15 years of Bulldog 100 12/13/24 Rachael Andrews
The University of Georgia Alumni Association released the 2025 Bulldog 100, a list of the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UGA graduates. The program, organized by the Division of Development & Alumni Relations, celebrates 15 years of honoring alumni and their entrepreneurial endeavors. Among this year’s class, businesses are headquartered in a total of eight states, with 87 of the businesses located in Georgia. In total, 142 alumni representing over two dozen industries are being recognized as a part of this year’s list.
A groundbreaking ceremony for a green stormwater demonstration site was held on Nov. 22 at the UGA Research and Education Garden at UGA-Griffin. This site will allow visitors to get a firsthand look at the green infrastructure technology that can be used both in the green industry and in private homes. Pictured are (l-r): Rolando Orellana, urban water management state agent in the UGA Center for Urban Agriculture; Jeffrey Dean, Assistant Provost and Campus Director for UGA Griffin; Bethany Harris, Director of the UGA Center for Urban Agriculture, Joy Hinkle, Grants Unit Manager for Georgia EPD, and Martin Wunderly, UGA Northeast District Extension Area Water Agent. CAES News
UGA-Griffin breaks ground on green stormwater demonstration site 12/11/24 Ashley N Biles
Industry professionals, researchers and the public will soon have access to the latest in sustainable infrastructure technology with the construction of a green stormwater demonstration site at the University of Georgia Research and Education Garden on the UGA Griffin campus. The groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 22 with plans to complete several demonstration areas by the end of 2024.
Georgia Simmons at the office of U.S. Sen. Warnock CAES News
Georgia 4-H alum, CAES student spends semester serving at the nation's Capitol 12/03/24 Josie Smith, Cooper Hardy
Third-year University of Georgia student and Banks County 4-H alum Georgia Simmons has been in the center of the political action this fall with the Georgia 4-H Washington DC Intern Program. Simmons, an environmental resource science major in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, works in the office of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. As an intern on his staff, she interacts directly with policy experts and lawmakers, participating in the legislative process while earning a semester of credit hours.
Longtime faculty member George Vellidis was named the first permanent director of the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture. IIPA was launched in 2022 and has grown to include more than 70 faculty members. (Photo by Paul Privette for UGA CAES) CAES News
Vellidis named director of Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture 12/02/24 David Mitchell
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Professor George Vellidis has been named director of the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture (IIPA). His term began on Nov. 1, and he will serve as the unit’s first permanent director. “Dr. Vellidis has been a vital member of our UGA faculty for years and played a key role in launching IIPA,” said Chris King, interim vice president for research. “Whether it’s his impact as a first-class researcher and educator or the work he does behind the scenes to elevate our reputation in the field abroad, his presence has made UGA a hub for precision agriculture research.”
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.