Grocery stores are constantly looking for ways to keep their fruits and vegetables fresh longer. One store reported they lose more than a hundred thousand dollars a year in fruits and vegetables that lose their eye appeal and don't look fresh anymore. But a scientist with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences discovered most people look at vegetables as if they were totally dead. But the University scientist sees fruits and veggies as living things. It is living, it is respiring the same as you and I. It's giving off moisture like we give off moisture when we sweat. So it is living." Al Purvis with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Of course the vegetables have no heartbeat or breathing, but over time the oxygen from the air we breathe reduces the freshness, making it spoil quicker. Purvis found if grocery stores and processors stored apples in a place with maybe two percent oxygen instead of the usual 21 percent, the aging process slowed considerably. And if grocery stores could keep produce fresher longer, they could also provide shoppers lower prices. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Georgia's Vidalia onion growers are expected to grow around 14,000 acres of the sweet crop this year, which is about 1000 acres less than last year. Reid Torrance, county extension agent in Tattnall County says farmers are planting fewer onions in hopes of improving market prices, which have dropped in recent years because of oversupply. He adds the cold weather has caused some farmers to get behind on herbicide treatments. " We use a herbicide that is very sensitive to weather conditions and does not perform well in cold weather it damages the onions considerably." Reid Torrance with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences who adds most of the state's Vidalia onion growers will wrap up planting in late December, which is a little ahead of schedule. Right now most of the crop is in good shape and has not suffered damage from the cold weather. When the weather warms up for several days, farmers should get those herbicides applied as quickly as they can before another cold snap moves in. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.t

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As winter brings a drop in temperatures, Argentine ants begin marching into homes to get warm and find food. Dan Suiter, an Entomologist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says Argentine ants may look like fire ants, but they will not sting. He adds these ants also have a sweet tooth. "If you have left open a coca-cola can or spilt some sugar while you're making your coffee that morning, your kitchen can be just inundated with Argentine ants, they really like sugar during these winter months." Dam Suiter with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Trying to hit back at these ants with insects is often futile and doomed to failure, since Argentine ants live in the walls and other protected areas of a house. You can reduce your chances of having Argentine ants in your home by thoroughly rinsing all drink cans before placing them into the garbage or recycling bin. Also, empty those garbage containers often. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton

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Communication about bank accounts, and the amount of money in those accounts is the number one source of strife in a newly married couple's life. Michael Rupured, a Financial Management Specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says couples should discuss money management before they tie the marriage knot. "You might have a spender married to a saver and that's going to cause all kinds of problems unless that's openly discussed". Michael Rupured with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, who adds a lot of decisions on money management should be discussed and made before the wedding. Some examples include whether to have one joint bank account that both will contribute all their income to. Or if each person wants to maintain his or her own account, in addition to having a joint account for household expenses. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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During the late nineties the El Nino and La Nina weather patters kept temperatures above normal during the winter months in the state. But the state Climatologist and Professor of Engineering at the University of Georgia says the state has already experienced a significant amount of cold weather before winter officially arrives. He also has a chilly prediction for the first part of 2001. "It has been much colder so far. So far for the month of December we have averaged three to nine degrees below normal across the state. It does not look like the trend will change in the foreseeable future." David Stooksbury with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Stooksbury goes on to say there could be an increase in severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across Georgia this winter, when warm, humid air moves back in and collides with cold, dry air. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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