Cultivating Curiosity

June marks the start of hurricane season in Georgia — and there’s no better time to prepare than on a sunny day. In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we’re joined by Pam Knox, agricultural climatologist and director of the UGA Weather Network, to unpack what hurricane season means for Georgia residents. Pam breaks down the terms residents often hear but may not fully grasp, explaining the difference between weather and climate, how the El Niño–Southern Oscillation impacts hurricane activity, and how Georgia’s farmers rely on real-time data from UGA’s 90 weather stations across the state. We also discuss NOAA’s predictions for an above-average 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and what that could mean in practical terms. Whether you're managing a farm or prepping your household, Pam shares her top three tips to stay safe and minimize damage. And if you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry — we’ve included links to several helpful UGA Extension resources in the show notes.

Resources:

• Find your UGA Cooperative Extension office
• UGA Cooperative Extension Weather Emergency Resources
• UGA Weather Network
• UGA Climate Blog
• Resident’s Handbook To Prepare for Natural Hazards in Georgia
• Georgia Hurricane Evacuation Zones
• USDA Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Guides for Georgia Producers
  
  

Content from CAES:

• Weathering change: How can we achieve agricultural resilience in a changing climate?
• What the warmest year on record means for agriculture in 2025

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
Edited by Jordan Powers
Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock, an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller. Listen to his music on Spotify. 

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we dive into the science behind composting with two University of Georgia Cooperative Extension experts — what composting is, why it matters and how you can start doing it right at home. Whether you’re new to composting or looking to improve your bin game, this episode breaks down the basics, offers beginner-friendly tips and shares the real-life benefits of turning your food scraps into nutrient-rich soil. Plus, learn how composting can save you money and help the planet, one banana peel at a time.

Resources:

• Find your UGA Cooperative Extension office
• Composting and mulching (UGA Extension publication)
• Composting: Recycling Landscape Trimmings (UGA Extension publication)
• Composting with UGArden
  
  

Content from CAES:

• Should you be composting?
• Spring is a perfect time to start composting
• Quick intro to vermicomposting (Instagram Reel)

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
Edited by Jordan Powers
Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock, an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller who creates innovative soul-pop music that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Hailing from small-town Southeast Georgia, Mason's influences range from the purest pop to the most powerful gospel. Mason is a former Georgia 4-H'er and University of Georgia graduate! Listen to his music on Spotify. 

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

As temperatures rise and Georgians head outdoors, the battle against bloodsucking pests begins in earnest. In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we are joined by CAES entomologist Nancy Hinkle and public health Extension specialist Elmer Gray for a practical, no-nonsense look at two of the South’s most irritating pests: ticks and mosquitoes. In the first half of the episode, we learn essential advice on tick prevention and simple strategies for protecting our families, pets, and landscape without solely relying on pesticides. In the second half, we hear tips on how to avoid bites and prevent mosquito-borne illnesses. Whether you're an avid outdoors person or just mowing the lawn, this episode will leave you better prepared to face the bugs of summer—and a little more curious about the critters creeping around your backyard.

Resources:

• Mosquito Control Around the Home (UGA Cooperative Extension publication)
• Mosquito Biology and Behavior (UGA Cooperative Extension publication)
• The Intersection of Mosquito Management and Pollinator Protection (UGA Cooperative Extension publication)
• Protect Yourself from Ticks (UGA Cooperative Extension publication)

Content from CAES:

• Community clean-ups are an important part of mosquito management 
• Mosquito activity booming in Georgia's late-summer heat
• There are 63 species of mosquito in Georgia — and they are still biting
• Help prevent the spread of dengue fever
• Summertime is tick time in Georgia; time to get tick-smart
• Disease-bearing Asian longhorned tick found in north Georgia

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
Edited by Jordan Powers
Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock, an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller who creates innovative soul-pop music that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Hailing from small-town Southeast Georgia, Mason's influences range from the purest pop to the most powerful gospel. Mason is a former Georgia 4-H'er and University of Georgia graduate! Listen to his music on Spotify. 

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

Happy New Year, listeners! In this episode, we dive into one of the toughest New Year’s resolutions: improving time management. Joined by Travis Mountain, UGA Cooperative Extension specialist in financial planning, we break down 10 practical strategies from the popular UGA Extension publication 10 Strategies for Better Time Management. From tracking how you spend your time to delegating tasks and conquering procrastination, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you make the most of 2025.

Resources:

• 10 Strategies for Better Time Management (UGA Cooperative Extension publication)
• Travis Mountain's faculty profile
• UGA Extension publications by Travis Mountain
• UGA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Content from CAES:

• Free your mind and space from clutter in the new year

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
Edited by Jordan Powers
Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock, an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller who creates innovative soul-pop music that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Hailing from small-town Southeast Georgia, Mason's influences range from the purest pop to the most powerful gospel. Mason is a former Georgia 4-H'er and University of Georgia graduate! Listen to his music on Spotify. 

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

Managing a hub of innovation is no small feat, but for Eric Elsner, superintendent of the J. Phil Campbell Research and Education Center, it’s a daily opportunity to make an impact. In this episode, Eric shares how he oversees multidisciplinary research projects designed to tackle real-world challenges Georgia farmers face. From managing collaborative studies to supporting student workers in unique hands-on learning experiences, Eric highlights how the center serves as a bridge between cutting-edge science, practical Extension work and the farming community. Join us as we explore his passion for fostering connections between research, education and community-building and how the center’s efforts are shaping a stronger future for agriculture in Georgia.

Resources:

• CAES Research and Education Centers
• J. Phil Campbell REC
• Finding UGA Cooperative Extension County offices
• Oconee County Extension office

Content from UGA/CAES:

• Photo and video from tour of J. Phil Campbell REC cotton harvest
• Superintendent builds upon mission at research and education center (feature story)

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
Edited by Jordan Powers
Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock, an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller who creates innovative soul-pop music that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Hailing from small-town Southeast Georgia, Mason's influences range from the purest pop to the most powerful gospel. Mason is a former Georgia 4-H'er and University of Georgia graduate! Listen to his music on Spotify. 

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

In this episode, we’re joined by Bethany Harris, director of the Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture, to discuss her vision for the center as it works to meet the growing needs of urban agriculture in Georgia. As cities across the state expand, so does the need for innovative agricultural practices that support sustainable growth and resilient communities. Harris shares how the center is driving collaboration and research across various disciplines to tackle these challenges head-on while supporting future academic programming that will open educational and career pathways for students eager to shape the future of urban agriculture. Tune in to learn how the Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture is working to redefine agriculture’s role in urban areas, building a foundation for thriving cities and a sustainable future.

Resources:

• Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture
• UGA Food Product Innovation & Commercialization Center (FoodPIC)
• UGA Griffin Campus
• UGA Turf Team
• Controlled Environment Agriculture at UGA

Content from CAES:

• Taking Control of the future of agriculture (immersive story)
• From jellyfish to pomegranates: Revolutionizing food processing in Georgia (podcast)

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
Edited by Jordan Powers
Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock, an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller who creates innovative soul-pop music that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Hailing from small-town Southeast Georgia, Mason's influences range from the purest pop to the most powerful gospel. Mason is a former Georgia 4-H'er and University of Georgia graduate! Listen to his music on Spotify. 

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, Kaitlyn Casulli, assistant professor and UGA Cooperative Extension process specialist in the CAES Department of Food Science and Technology, shares her journey into food science and her fascinating work with food safety, thermal processing and her efforts to support the craft beverage industry in rural Georgia. She also introduces the new Value-addition Institute for Business Expansion (VIBE) initiative, helping Georgia's growers increase profits through value-added products. Plus, don't miss a surprising discussion about edible insects!

Resources:

• CAES Department of Food Science and Technology
• Value-added Institute for Business Expansion (VIBE)
• Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center (FoodPIC)
• UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS)

Content from CAES:

• Georgia agricultural innovation center to bring farmers from fresh to value-added markets (news story)
• UGA Extension food scientist hosts new brewing workshop (news story)
• From jellyfish to pomegranates: Revolutionizing food processing in Georgia (podcast)
• Healthy holidays: Food safety tips for gifts and gatherings (podcast)
• Sip, savor, succeed: Inside the Flavor of Georgia food contest (podcast)
• Add a little crunch to your diet with cicadas: How to harvest, store and prepare food from Brood XIX emergence in Georgia (blog post)

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
Edited by Jordan Powers
Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock, an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller who creates innovative soul-pop music that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Hailing from small-town Southeast Georgia, Mason's influences range from the purest pop to the most powerful gospel. Mason is a former Georgia 4-H'er and University of Georgia graduate! Listen to his music on Spotify. 

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

Do you know where your T-shirt got its start? In this episode, we travel to Tifton, Georgia, to speak with Camp Hand, assistant professor in the CAES Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and a key member of the UGA Cotton Team. Join us as we dive into the intricacies of cotton agronomy, the importance of UGA's experiment stations and the collaborative nature of the cotton industry in Georgia. Camp shares insights into the sustainable practices adopted by cotton growers, the critical role of research and the unique challenges that arise each year. The episode also touches on Camp's dedication to supporting farmers through difficult times, including efforts to address rural and farm stress.

Resources:

• University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Cotton Team
• CAES Research and Education Centers
• Rural Georgia: Growing Stronger website
• Thriving on the Farm interview with Camp Hand
• Talkin' Cotton podcast

Content from CAES:

• UGA Tifton Cotton Micro Gin (TikTok)
• Breaking stigma: Mental health solutions in farming and rural communities (podcast)

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
Edited by Jordan Powers
Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock, an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller who creates innovative soul-pop music that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Hailing from small-town Southeast Georgia, Mason's influences range from the purest pop to the most powerful gospel. Mason is a former Georgia 4-H'er and University of Georgia graduate! Listen to his music on Spotify. 

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

In this episode, we sit down with Ty Brooks, farm director at UGArden, UGA's student community farm. Join us as Ty shares his journey and insights into the daily operations of UGArden, a unique space dedicated to research, teaching and outreach. Discover how UGArden engages students through internships, volunteer opportunities and hands-on learning experiences while giving back to the community by combating food insecurity. Ty discusses the farm's partnerships with various UGA programs and community organizations, the importance of sustainable agriculture and the innovative projects at UGArden, including their popular herbal tea program.

Resources:

• UGArden website
• UGArden video
• Opportunities to volunteer at UGArden
• CAES Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication
• UGA Office of Sustainability

Content from CAES:

• Profile on Ty Brooks 
• UGArden herbal tea program launches sales in campus dining halls (news story)

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
Edited by Jordan Powers
Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock, an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller who creates innovative soul-pop music that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Hailing from small-town Southeast Georgia, Mason's influences range from the purest pop to the most powerful gospel. Mason is a former Georgia 4-H'er and University of Georgia graduate! Listen to his music on Spotify. 

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

In this quick episode, co-host Jordan Powers pops in ahead of the holiday weekend to share a Cultivating Curiosity hosting update. It's a tale of two Emilys listeners won't want to miss!

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
Edited by Jordan Powers
Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock, an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller who creates innovative soul-pop music that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Hailing from small-town Southeast Georgia, Mason's influences range from the purest pop to the most powerful gospel. Mason is a former Georgia 4-H'er and University of Georgia graduate! Listen to his music on Spotify. 

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

Get social with us!
Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.