In our days of information overload with telephones, voice mail, faxes, Internet and e-mail, the Georgia County Guide helps to lighten our load a bit. Sue Boatright, a scientist at the University of Georgia, puts together and organizes the Georgia County Guide. She can put her finger on more interesting facts about Georgia than almost any of the state's 6,478,179 people. There's also something interesting in the book about Fulton County. "There are some farms in Fulton County. Most people don't think of Fulton County as an agricultural county, but there are farms, and they do have agricultural production going on," (says) Sue Boatright with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The Georgia County Guide also reveals Echols County in south Georgia has the sparsest population, with only 6.3 people per square mile. Also, Cherokee County in north Georgia had the fewest low-weight births during the last fifteen years than any other county in Georgia. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton

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Most families in Georgia that have a home gardener usually get stumped every December trying to figure out the ideal garden gift. Wayne McLaurin, a horticulturist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says you will find certain items at the top of a gardener's wish list. "Probably tools, that's what most gardeners want." (says) Wayne McLaurin with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds a lot of shovels, hoes and other tools will last a long time if they are properly sharpened and kept out of the rain. Some even have handles that can be replaced. Roto-tillers are also high on a gardeners wish list. Other items your family gardener would like to find under the tree Christmas morning include gift certificates and books on gardening tips for Georgia and the Southeast. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton

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During the early-‘70s, it took 12 years to develop a new soybean variety. But 30 years later, scientists can take new soybean varieties from zero to commercial realty in less than five years. Roger Boerma, a scientist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, says DNA technology has played a major part in reducing the time needed to develop new varieties. "Then we got access to winter nursing to cut it down to eight, and DNA marker technology has been able to cut it further down to five years. So, we're real excited about that also," (says) Roger Boerma with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds farmers are finding these new soybean varieties attractive because they have higher tolerance to herbicides, are more resistant to insect pests and have the potential to produce higher yields. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.t

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The long, tough drought and Georgia's battle with its neighbors over water rights makes it even more important to do a better job managing water. As the state's largest industry, agriculture can be a major contributor to water pollution. But a scientist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has found farmers can help. His research focused on creating protective barriers between the waterways and potentially harmful materials farmers use in their fields. "We have done work over the last ten years to show that forest strips or forest buffers along streams do a great job in controlling sediment and agricultural chemicals that come off the field and runoff," (says) George Vellidis with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The forest strips, used as protective barriers, consists of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants next to and up-slope from a stream or waterway. Since part of the buffer zone can be planted in trees, a farmer can also make some extra cash from the land when the trees are harvested. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Researchers have found fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, trout, tuna and sardines contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, a component of polyunsaturated fat. Janine Freeman, a nutrition specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says the fat contained in these fish is good fat that helps the heart. "The omega-3 fatty acids are actually a component of polyunsaturated fat, and this type of fat has been shown to help lower cholesterol," (says) Janine Freeman with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, who adds studies have shown more heart benefits when foods with omega-3 fatty acids are used to replace higher fat foods than just added to the diet. Most experts now recommend at least two servings of fish each week to help keep our hearts healthy. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton

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