Florists know that greenery plays a vital part in any flower arrangement because it forms the base of it. A scientist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences sees the day when florists will use limbs from winged elm trees grown by Georgia farmers. The trees have a unique bark structure, and the limbs look as if they have wings after they lose their leaves. The university scientist says the winged elm trees are becoming popular with florists and homeowners. Farmers could also grow the winged elm trees, harvest the limbs during the winter off-season, and branch out into other markets. "Floral design and demand for design products is an international market, it's not just a Georgia market, it's not just a United States market. I think there's potential to sell this sort of material around the world," (says) John Ruter with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds everyone would come out a winner. Florists would have something else to work with, customers would have more choices, and farmers would have a new market opportunity. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

Links to audio files: (files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)

Icy temperatures kept Georgia in the deep freeze during December and early-January. The cost for staying warm has increased, since natural gas prices have doubled. Michael Rupered, a financial management specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says you can cut heating costs by as much as 20 percent by lowering your home thermostat five degrees at night, and ten degrees during the day when no one is home. But there are days we forget to adjust the thermostat, so consider purchasing a setback, or programmable thermostat, then let it do the adjusting. "Setback thermostat lets you program the temperature in your home to suit your needs at different times of day. For example: one I'm familiar with allows you to have two different cycles, a weekend cycle and then a through the week cycle," (says) Michael Rupered with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. When shopping for a setback thermostat make sure you can easily set the clock and change the start time or temperature for a program period. Make sure you can read the displays on the thermostat, and they are easy to understand. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

Links to audio files:(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)

While Georgia's pork industry continues to shrink, pork producers nationwide were able to enjoy slightly better market prices for pork products. John McKissick, an agricultural economist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says low feed cost and a moderate decrease in supply were the main factors that led to improved market prices. However, he predicts the supply of pork products entering the market will increase, which will cause market prices to turn downward. "Unfortunately, as this production increases prices will move back down and that'll take some of the bloom again off of the pork production market," (says) John McKissick with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. On the consumer side, demand for pork, especially bacon, was on the rise. Bacon prices reached record levels during the first part of the year 2000. The average price of a pound of bacon was about 17 percent higher than in 1999. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

Links to audio files: (files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)

During the winter months, many people without carports drive up as close to the door of their home as they can, so they can get out of the cold or rain quicker. But a turf specialist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences says driving cars and trucks over a lawn in the winter packs it down, which could make it tougher for the grass to green up this spring. "The grass is frozen or has frost on it and that crown region of the plant has got ice crystals around it, traffic with heavy equipment will cause significant injury to those crowns, resulting in a slow green up," (says) Gil Landry with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds Georgians should also try to limit the amount of times they walk over portions of their lawn, since continued walking could also cause packing problems and damage the grass. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

Links to audio files: (files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)

Many older Georgians are saying this is one of the coldest winters in their memory. Connie Crawley, a nutrition and health specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says these older people in their 80s and older, could suffer serious health problems when a frigid blast of cold air moves in. She adds the higher costs of natural gas and other heating fuels could increase the danger to the elderly. "Of course, their fixed income will really have a challenge this year with the gas prices being so high, and even electricity of course is pretty expensive. Many of these older people do live in older homes which were not as well insulated ," (says) Connie Crawley with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, who adds the elderly often have poor circulation, and don't realize how cold they are. To help the elderly make it through a cold winter, make sure they dress in layers. Extra clothing like a warm hat, long underwear, gloves and sweaters will also help. When you check on your elderly relatives or neighbors, make sure the room temperature is between 65 and 70 degrees. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

Links to audio files: (files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)