News Stories - Page 428

Rising high school juniors and seniors, who happen to also be bird-lovers, can get a personal introduction to the world of avian science through a three-day camp at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga.

According to 2008 census data, the latest national numbers available, 15 percent of Georgians live in poverty. The state ties Arizona for the 14th highest percentage of residents living in poverty in the U.S. In southwest Georgia, 39 of the regions 41 counties are considered persistently poor. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension will use an AmeriCorps VISTA grant to help the area’s impoverished residents get a hand up.

This spring marks the fifth year that the Georgia Cogongrass Task Force has been educating landowners and land managers about the risk cogongrass, a highly invasive Federal Noxious Weed, poses to our forests, roadsides, fields and natural areas across the state.

Two University of Georgia animal science researchers introduced to the world 13 pigs that may hold the key to new therapies to treat human diseases, including diabetes. Announced this week, the discovery marks the first time pluripotent stem cells, or cells that can turn into any type of cell in the body, have been created from adult livestock.

Propagating plants from seed, identifying invasive vines and growing pretty peonies in the South will all be covered on “Your Southern Garden” with Walter Reeves May 8 at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Like your neighbors and friends and want to keep them happy? If so, when you invite them for a cook-out, you better make sure the food is safe. Bacteria can multiply quickly in warm, summer temperatures and can turn outdoor entertaining into a neighborhood nightmare.

In the past two years, consumers have witnessed record-high and rock-bottom food prices. Now, along with the economy, prices are picking up. Increases in demand are driving consumer meat prices higher.

Japanese beetles and other summer beetles will soon be busy chewing plants. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agents get the most calls about these destructive garden pests in June and July.

Gardeners can learn to reproduce prized plants through propagation, identify irises and master mulch on “Your Southern Garden with Walter Reeves” May 1 at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Georgia Public Broadcasting.