It takes about two and a half million dollars to construct a six acre land fill site, and that does not include all the expensive equipment and people to operate it. But a scientist with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is looking at a better way, using earthworms fishermen call red wigglers. His research found the worms have the potential to process sludge from waste water treatment plants, and household garbage. They silently eat non-stop with no end in sight for them to run out of food. "Just about their weight. So, if you had one pound of worms, they would digest or eat about one pound of sludge." That was Sid Thompson with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The University scientist had to be gentle while he was teaching the worms to eat the sludge, slowly adding the new food as the old food ran out. It wasn't long before the small earth movers developed a preference for the waste water sludge. More research will be conducted, as he now turns to training the worms to eat household garbage and livestock waste, two big problems that could get cut down to size by worms many people thought were only good for fish bait. 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.)

Since last December, market prices for cotton have dropped around six cents per pound. Don Shurley, an Agricultural Economist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says farmers nationwide are expected to plant around 16 million acres this year, which is an increase of 900,000 acres from the year 2000. "Although prices have been disappointing the profit outlook for other crops is even worse, and farmers know if they plant cotton and world prices remain low L.D.P. payments will be available to insulate them somewhat from the market." Don Shurley with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Other factors holding down market prices include a decrease in the use of cotton by textile mills in the U.S., which is currently at a ten year low, and a sluggish demand in foreign countries for U.S. exports of cotton products. 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 people receive fresh roses for special occasions including anniversaries and birthdays. Mel Garber, a Horticulturist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says you can extend the life of cut roses seven to ten days if you provide them some special care, including changing the water periodically. "Losing their quality has to do with blockage of water uptake, and that's basically the result of bacteria, so changing the water periodically will help that." Mel Garber with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds you should also keep a close check on the roses, and make sure they are not in danger of running out of water. You can also extend the life of cut roses by keeping them in a cool place in the house, away from windows that receive sunlight most of the day . 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.)

Every year blossom-end rot does its dirty work in gardens, mainly with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and some melons. Wayne McLaurin, a Horticulturist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says if you find blossom-end rot in your garden, it's telling you the fruit does not have enough calcium. "Break in there and it gets dry, the calcium is not able to go through the fruit and be utilized, and so it shows up as a calcium deficiency in the blossom end and then it starts dying." Wayne McLaurin with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. To keep blossom-end rot out of your garden, collect soil samples from the garden site. If the results show a shortage of calcium, apply lime several months before you plant. The University scientist also recommends selecting a garden site with deep, well-drained soils, since a large well-formed root system is better able to take up calcium and other minerals. 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.)

The warm weather has caused a lot of people to spend more time outdoors to enjoy the spring like temperatures. But with warm weather comes the season for coughing, sneezing, and wheezing, as pollen makes people painfully aware of their allergies. Mel Garber, a Horticulturist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says there should be plenty of pollen this year, especially the remainder of February and through most of March. He adds you can blame the cold weather earlier this winter for the increase in pollen. "What's happened is that all the flowers are primed to develop because a lot of them require chilling temperatures to open and develop, and so we've got all of those chilling temperatures done and that means as soon as it warms up everything comes out so I think what we're going to see this year is a more concentrated bloom period, or pollen cycle." Mel Garber with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds pine pollen is already in the air, causing Georgian's to suffer the allergic discomforts. Since we still have to deal with oak pollen, get ready for more sneezing and coughing during March. 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.)