|
|
| This Week's Titles: |
| County
Helps Sick Athletic Fields |
|
|
Southwest Georgia County
Helps Agribusinesses |
|
| Don't
Let Fruit Juices Make You Sick |
|
| Teens
Wired With New Technology |
|
| Developing
A Statewide Plan To Conserve Water |
|
|
|
| County
Helps Sick Athletic Fields |
1:33 |
A county in East Central Georgia
helped turn local athletic fields into winners. |
The playing surface of
several athletic fields in Wilkes County had become chronic
losers in several areas. The main concern was a field where
local children played soccer. Rick Smith, a county extension
agent in Wilkes County says the sod on the soccer field had
gotten so bad there was concern about injuries to players. He
adds it needed a lot of work. "Well getting a nice even sod,
something that wasn't quite as hard packed they'd used fill
dirt to lay in this field, just getting it evened out and getting
ditches out of it and getting it softened up where you could
get some good turf, something that would reduce extended injuries
from hard use on the joints." Rick Smith with the University
of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
who adds around seventy five children ages five to fourteen
played on the field in 2005, and over a hundred are expected
to play this year. The hard work not only improved the playing
surface of the field, but the appearance of the entire sports
complex. An appealing sports complex is an important factor
in attracting new businesses and families to Wilkes County.
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.)
|
| |
 |
| Southwest
Georgia County Helps Agribusinesses |
1:44 |
A Southwest Georgia county
is working to attract more agribusinesses, so farming will remain
strong and well. |
Most of the land in Worth
County is used to grow row crops and hay. But in recent years,
more acres has been farmed by fewer people than at any point
in the history of the county. So people in the county rolled
up their sleeves, and looked at critical issues facing the agriculture
industry in Worth County. Rusty Harris, a county extension agent
in Worth County says problems on the farm affect a lot of agribusinesses
in the county. "Tractor dealerships, chemical dealerships, fertilizer
dealers, then you get off one step back from that, you have
welders, mechanics, auto part stores, all those type things,
even fuel dealers typically that farmers deal with on a day-to-day
basis." Rusty Harris with the University of Georgia's College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Agricultural economists
with the University of Georgia provided education programs and
training needed by agribusinesses, to help them survive. The
training paid off, and breathed new life into three agribusinesses
on the verge of failure. Also, several new agribusinesses opened
in Worth County that created six new jobs, and around $900,000
in additional revenue from the new agribusinesses, and farm
operations. 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.)
|
| |
|
| Don't
Let Fruit Juices Make You Sick |
1:46 |
It's important for carrot juice
and several other fruit juices to chill out. |
Several cases of botulism
have been reported in Georgia and Florida in recent weeks. Reports
indicate people got sick with the food borne illness because
they drank carrot juice that was not properly refrigerated.
Elizabeth Andress, a food safety specialist with the University
of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences says the
bacteria in the juice produces a toxin, which can be fatal.
"Botulism is a food borne illness, it's an intoxication and
the toxin is actually a nerve toxin. So it is one that is able
to kill someone if they don't get treatment very rapidly." Elizabeth
Andress with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, who
adds symptoms of botulism include double-vision, droopy eyelids,
trouble with speaking or swallowing, and paralysis on both sides
of the body. Consumers can reduce their risk of becoming a victim
of botulism by reading the label and watch for the words "Keep
Refrigerated." If refrigeration is required, the fruit juice
should be kept in a refrigerator where the temperature is forty
degrees fahrenheit or lower. On occasion the temperature inside
the refrigerator should be checked with an appliance thermometer,
to make sure the fruit juices are keeping their cool, and the
chill is adequate to keep pathogens from growing and making
people sick. 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.)
|
| |
|
| Teens
Wired With New Technology |
1:42 |
A recent report indicates today's
youth are wired up when it comes to communicating. |
Today's teenagers feel they
are not with the scene if they don't have their own cell phone.
Not only can they talk to their friends anytime or anyplace,
a cell phone can also connect to the internet, or send and receive
e-mail messages. Sharon Gibson, a state coordinator with the
University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences
says even young children are getting wired with this new technology.
"Four out of ten U.S. children four to eighteen own at least
one wireless device that's four year olds to eighteen year olds,
that's a cell phone, a palm, pocket PCS, pagers, ultra light
lap tops. Older children, older teens are more likely to own
two or more wireless devices. Our children are linked, and they
are communicating." Sharon Gibson with the College of Family
and Consumer Sciences, who adds parents can also put this new
technology to good use. They can use a phone Global Position
Service device in their children's cell phones to track their
movements. Parents are also encouraged to monitor cell phone
use, text messaging, and instant messaging, so they can be aware
of anything suspicious. The report concludes that teens rank
cell phones near the top when it comes to priorities in their
lives. Many consider cell phones as important as having the
right brand of jeans, or shoes to wear at school, or social
events. 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.)
|
| |
|
| Developing
A Statewide Plan To Conserve Water |
1:41 |
The state of Georgia is developing
a plan of action, so they can be ready if we face a critical
water shortage. |
The drought Georgia experienced
from 1998 through 2002 was a harsh reminder of how much we depend
on this precious resource. People had to deal with outdoor water
restrictions and bans, one city had a serious drinking water
shortage, and farmers in Southwest Georgia had to cut back on
irrigation. That's why we must plan now to manage this limited
resource, so we will be ready for the next crisis, according
to Susan Varlamoff, a program coordinator with the University
of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
"I think tremendous progress has been made, we get the farmers
with businesses, with academics and local government officials
and we talk about a variety of topics for example water consumption
or in stream needs, water quality issues, and we brought some
scientific evidence from our scientists here at the College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to show their research."
Susan Varlamoff with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences. Since there are so many demands for water in the state,
a solid plan must be developed to conserve and allocate this
valuable resource. As the late nineties taught us, a water crisis
has the potential to threaten our drinking water supplies, and
Georgia's economic future. 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.)
|
| |
|
|
|
