News Stories - Page 23

With a name that conjures the spookiest Halloween imagery, the hickory horned devil (Citheronia regalis) caterpillar is a marvel of nature's creativity, boasting a fearsome-looking appearance that is both off-putting and intriguing. This time of year, unsuspecting passersby may have the rare chance to spot this spectacular caterpillar as it drops from trees.

The University of Georgia Graduate School has honored five outstanding graduates with 2023 Alumni of Distinction Awards. These recipients were selected for achieving exceptional success in their professional careers and for significant service to their communities. “Each of these graduate alumni is distinguished by their professional achievement at the regional, national and international levels,” said Ron Walcott, vice provost for graduate education.

Brewery and beer aficionados have a robust selection of venues to choose from when visiting Athens, Georgia. Anyone over 21 can choose any craft beer brewery in town or try out all six on the Athens Beer Trail. But what about those who want the atmosphere and experience of a brewery without the beer?

It is no secret that the success of Georgia’s No. 1 industry rests in the hands of one key group: farmers. But across generations of farmers who have passed down land and trades to their children, the pressure and stress that comes with carrying on the strong agricultural legacy continue to mount — so much so that it has reached crisis level.

As the world grapples with how to reduce its carbon footprint, it’s clear there’s no silver bullet solution for climate change. It will take a multifaceted approach to scale back fossil fuel usage and find more sustainable alternatives. Several UGA researchers are working on promising pathways like bioenergy and bioproducts, forms of renewable energy and materials that could curb carbon emissions.

Led by University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences faculty Julie Campbell and Jessica Holt, the Flowers and Photography study abroad program empowers students to see career opportunities beyond the classroom. “Our hope for this program is that students gain cultural experiences, practical skills and valuable knowledge that will help them better understand the value of horticulture to culture and society,” said Campbell.

A dozen 4-H’ers from around Georgia were the first explorers to experience Georgia 4-H’s newest summer program — Natural Resources Exploration Camp — and learn about wildlife, forestry, fisheries and other natural resources from University of Georgia faculty.

Established in 2017, the University of Georgia Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center helps companies develop new food products and market those products through a robust network of experts both at the university and within the industry in food technology, engineering, food product development, sensory analysis, storage and shelf-life evaluation, consumer testing and marketing.

Madagascar is particularly vulnerable to climate change. To help Madagascan farmers adapt, the U.S. Agency for International Development has awarded the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Peanut at University of Georgia an additional $2.5 million to work in partnership with the Global Collaboration on Sorghum and Millet at Kansas State University on a resilient rotation of peanut, sorghum and millet that will improve soil conditions, make farms more productive, feed people and protect the natural environment.