Many people start buying live Christmas trees before all the Thanksgiving leftovers are eaten. A forester with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forest Resources says there should be plenty of live Christmas trees out there this year, despite problems caused by the drought. Consumers will also find more sizes and types to choose from. Some people want trees that haven't been trimmed at all. When it comes to buying that Christmas tree, consumers should see prices similar to last year. "Most of the growers I think the price is about the same as it was last year, although different growers will price them differently." That was Orville Lindstrom with the Warnell School of Forest Resources. To save money, Lindstrom says know exactly how tall of a tree you need. Most people buy one too tall because they don't have a good idea of height when shopping outside. To keep the tree safe and alive inside your home, make sure the tree has plenty of water. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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From late November and Thanksgiving through Christmas and New Year's Day, people will take part in lots of parties and banquets. The food table will be loaded with mouth watering cakes, cookies and calories. Connie Crawley, a nutrition and health specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says there's good news and bad news about the weight we gain during the fat season. "We now believe that most people on the average gain about one to two pounds over the holidays. The problem is that they don't lose those pounds after the holidays, and if they do that every year, you know after ten to twenty years you gain ten to twenty pounds," says Connie Crawley with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. To reduce the chances of adding holiday pounds, Crawley advises Georgians to look over and get familiar with a buffet table before filling your plate so you can make wise choices when putting food on your plate, and try to resist the temptation to go back for seconds. You can also help out your waistline by continuing to exercise during the Christmas season, so you can burn off some of those extra calories. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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A credit repair firm will make all kinds of claims. Their main selling line is they can repair your credit for a small fee. But a family financial management specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says the truth is these companies cannot do anything you can't do yourself for free. If you are contacted, be on guard for one specific request. "If they're asking you to establish a new identity in order to obtain credit in any way that would be illegal such as having a different social security number or perhaps using a tax ID number to establish a new identity." That was Michael Rupered with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The Credit Repair Organizations Act protects you from suspicious companies claiming to make all your credit problems disappear. You should also stay informed on your credit by contacting the three major credit bureaus for a copy of your credit report. Georgia law states you are entitled to a free copy twice a year. When you receive the report, review it and request the bureau verify any information you disagree with. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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At a recent meeting in Tifton, Georgia farmers and businessmen heard the results of a year long feasibility study that shows they could get 20 to 30 percent more money for the crops they grow. The study found that a new facility that crushes cotton seeds, soybeans, canola and peanuts was feasible. George Shumaker, an agricultural economist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says the new facility has the potential to generate millions of dollars of additional income. "According to our estimates using an input-output model it could have as much as $171 million economic impact here in the state. It would have an impact on almost 1,200 people in terms of employment and could generate nearly $7 million in state taxes," says George Shumaker with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who estimates it will cost slightly more than $51 million to build the facility that will crush, refine and bottle the oils. A lot of ifs remain, but if the proposal gets implemented, it would take a little more than two years to get a new facility up and running. The study didn't specify a location for the new plant, but emphasized that it could possibly get built in the heart of oil seed country. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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After another long spring and summer with little rest, it's time to get those center pivot and traveler irrigation systems ready for a long winter's nap. Kerry Harrison, an engineer with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says it's important to drain all the water out of the system. "This would include pumps, pump cavities, pump casings, as well as bends in the pipe, particularly those bends right adjacent to or just in front of check valves. Check valves are real notorious for holding water, and if we get a cold enough winter we can freeze a six or eight inch valve and with standing water in it could crack and bust and you're out several hundred or even thousand dollars." Kerry Harrison with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds farmers should also check the wiring for damage caused by rodents or sunlight. The slow winter season is an excellent time to get help from a professional to repair loose or frayed wiring in the system. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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