|
|
| This Week's Titles: |
| Research
Helps Fight Soybean Insect Pests |
|
|
Certificate Program In
Organic Agriculture Begins |
|
| Think
Before Co-Signing A Loan |
|
| Lady
Beetles Looking For Warm Homes |
|
| Teaching
Children The Importance Of Giving |
|
|
|
| Research
Helps Fight Soybean Insect Pests |
1:28 |
College scientists are working
to swat down a tough insect pest in soybeans. |
The demand for alternative
fuels has caused farmers to increase soybean acreage across
the state. But an insect called velvetbean caterpillars can
move in and bite off the leaves, and cause serious yield losses.
Scientists with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences are conducting research on several
soybean varieties that are resistant to velvetbean caterpillar
feeding. "There's several varieties now that we have that we're
researching that look real promising as far as being resistant
to velvetbean defoliation. It does take time, we've been looking
at it for several years and we have begun the process to get
these lines registered and then hopefully within another year
or two get them actually named and some varieties released so
that the growers will have some options out there." That was
Bob McPherson with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences. If the research is successful, and some of these new
varieties make it on the market, it would help soybean growers
take a big step to winning the war against velvetbean caterpillars.
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.)
|
| |
 |
| Certificate
Program In Organic Agriculture Begins |
1:41 |
A program that started this
fall at the University of Georgia could help students start
businesses with the knowledge they learn. |
The certificate program
provides hands-on training for students in organic agriculture.
Scientists with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences say organic farming uses natural
fertilizer products, and no synthetic pesticides. Farm animals
are also raised in a natural environment, with no artificial
hormones, and less anti-biotic injections. "We will be teaching
students basically a different way to grow crops, and we will
also look at animal production. Basically a more natural way
to raise plants and animals without using artificial products.
In the case of animal production you cannot routinely apply
antibiotics. Hormones are banned, in the case of crops, all
your fertilizers have to be from some natural sources, such
as compost, poultry litter, those kinds of things, and a lot
of cover cropping." That was Marc van Iersel with the College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds around
seventy students signed up for the certificate program on organic
agriculture. The program also educates the community, along
with students, about different ways to grow crops, and the different
nontraditional options growers have. Some students that complete
the certificate program in alternative agriculture plan to start
their own business and put the techniques and knowledge they
learned to work. 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.)
|
| |
|
| Think
Before Co-Signing A Loan |
1:39 |
If you put your name on the
dotted line to co-sign a loan, you sign at your own risk. |
Many people co-sign a loan
because they are told their signature is needed since the other
party does not have an established credit record. But a consumer
economic specialist with the University of Georgia's College
of Family and Consumer Sciences says there are risks people
need to be aware of before they sign their name. Co-signing
a loan means that you agree to pay the money back if the other
person does not. If you have problems paying the money back,
you could face a law suit from the lender. It will also be noted
on your credit record. "If you don't make payments on a loan
for which you've co-signed and the original borrower has defaulted
then it will show up as a negative on your credit report." That
was Michael Rupured with the College of Family and Consumer
Sciences. According to the Federal Trade Commission, three out
of four co-signers eventually have to make payments on loans.
If you co-sign, keep copies of all loan documents. These records
could protect you from excessive fees or penalties if the borrower
defaults. If problems occur, try to resolve the matter with
the lender directly. But it's important for co-signers to be
warned and know they could end up having to repay the loan out
of their pockets. 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.)
|
| |
|
| Lady
Beetles Looking For Warm Homes |
1:40 |
Some small insects think people
will treat them like ladies, and keep them warm and cozy in
their homes during the winter. |
Lady beetles are considered
beneficial insects, because they like to eat aphids, and other
insect pests. But these tiny orange colored insets with black
spots don't like cold weather. So they invite themselves into
people's warm homes, to get away from the winter chill. Nancy
Hinkle, an entomologist with the University of Georgia's College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences says lady beetles
can get into homes through small cracks and holes you may be
unaware of. "Any crack or crevice through the exterior wall
will allow these beetles to get indoors. That's why it's important
to seal up all cracks, crevices, pipe chases, opening through
which phone lines enter the home, to prevent these beetles from
getting indoors. If cold air can age inside, so can these beetles."
Nancy Hinkle with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences. Some ways to remove these small lady beetles from
homes without killing them is to sweep them up in a dust pan,
or use a vacuum cleaner. Then take the beetles outside and release
them from the pan, or vacuum cleaner bag, so they will live
to eat way at more insect pests. 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.)
|
| |
|
| Teaching
Children The Importance Of Giving |
1:33 |
It's important for children
to learn the true spirit of the holidays is giving. |
After Thanksgiving, many
children begin counting down the days until Christmas. They
also get busy making their list and checking it twice, before
they mail it off to the North Pole. But a milti-cultural specialist
with the University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer
Sciences says the holidays can also be a time to teach children
the importance of giving. She adds this includes giving to the
community, as well as family members, because the needs of communities
are not restricted to November and December. "November and December,
just a couple of months out of the year. There are people in
need, people who need our care and our attention twelve months
out of the year. So by planting the seed during November and
December with our children and reminding ourselves during November
and December, so during the next ten months that we actively
engage in our communities." That was Sharon Gibson with the
College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Opportunities to give
are not limited to community soup kitchens. Churches, temples,
and other religious groups have a network for giving. For those
wanting to make a monetary contribution, look for bill funds,
which are set up to help people struggling to pay their bills.
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.)
|
| |
|
|
|
