Cultivating Curiosity

In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we explore the long, illustrious career of Larry Beuchat, professor emeritus at UGA's Center for Food Safety. Larry shares his journey from Penn State to Quaker Oats, where he worked on iconic projects like candies for the film "Willy Wonka," and then to UGA, where he spent over 50 years in food safety research. Larry discusses the evolution of research funding, his passion for mentoring students and emerging food safety challenges. He emphasizes the role of prevention and consumer awareness in tackling foodborne illnesses.

Resources:

• The University of Georgia Center for Food Safety (CFS)
• The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP)
• The International Committee on Food Microbiology and Hygiene

Content from CAES:

• Serving up the facts: Food science and safety (podcast)
• Healthy holidays: Food safety tips for gifts and gatherings (podcast)

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Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Davenport
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.

Join us as we delve into the world of urban entomology with two of the field's leading experts: Dan Suiter, Orkin Professor of Urban Entomology and UGA Cooperative Extension entomologist, and Glen Ramsey, director of Rollins Entomology Department Technical Services. 

Discover the nuances of urban entomology and its impact on our daily lives, from homes to hospitals. Learn about the unique partnership between CAES and Orkin, exploring how it enhances research, benefits the pest control industry and ultimately serves the public. Dan and Glen also discuss the future of urban entomology and the cutting-edge research emerging from this collaboration.

Resources:

• UGA Cooperative Extension Structural Pest Management website
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• Insect and Arthropod Pests of Southeastern Neighborhoods: A Guide to Identification and Management

Content from CAES:

• Orkin establishes urban entomology professorship (news story)
• Exploring entomology - the secret lives of insects (podcast)
• Is that a roach or a palmetto bug? (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 episode, we sit down with Angelos Deltsidis, assistant professor and postharvest Extension specialist at the University of Georgia Tifton campus, to explore the important role postharvest physiology has in preserving the quality and safety of our food supply and its broader implications for agriculture and global food security. 

From the moment fruits and vegetables are harvested to the time they reach our tables, a complex journey unfolds. Tune in to hear how Angelos is developing both innovative technologies and low-tech solutions to tackle postharvest challenges, from controlled atmosphere storage to using natural coatings on fruits and vegetables.

Resources:

• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
• Easy steps to reduce food waste from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Content from CAES:

• Serving up the facts: Food science and safety (podcast)
• Healthy holidays: Food safety tips for gifts and gatherings (podcast)
• Assistant professor uses ag tech to increase accessibility, reduce waste (news story)
• CAES researchers find simple solution to keep produce fresh, fight food waste (news story)

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Produced by Jordan Powers, Emily Davenport 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 dive into the world of peach production with Dario Chavez, associate professor in the CAES Department of Horticulture. Join us as we explore the intricate relationship between science, agriculture and climate change, uncovering how chill hours impact peach production and discuss the future of peach breeding in the face of shifting climate trends. From innovative breeding techniques to evolving production management strategies, discover how researchers like Chavez collaborate with growers to develop resilient peach varieties and sustainable farming practices. Tune in for a juicy conversation about the peach industry's journey toward a fruitful future.

Resources:

• UGA Weather Network
• Attapulgus Research and Education Center

Stories from CAES:

• Weathering Change
• UGA Extension experts celebrated among 2023 Fruit and Vegetable 40 under 40
• Doctoral student at the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics uses 3D scanning technology to inform peaches of the future

Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Davenport
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.

Join us for an exclusive peek behind the curtain of one of the University of Georgia's most beloved events – the Flavor of Georgia food contest. In this episode, we sit down with Laurel Dunn, assistant professor and Extension coordinator in the Department of Food Science and Technology. From the initial product submission to the final judging round, Laurel explains the contest process to listeners, highlighting the categories available for contestants. Products submitted showcase the breadth of Georgia's culinary landscape, from savory snacks to delicious confections. From taste and texture to innovation and market potential, every aspect is scrutinized to ensure that only the finest products rise to the top. Listeners will learn about the rewards awaiting the winners, from invaluable exposure and networking opportunities to titles and recognition within Georgia's vibrant food industry. Whether you're a seasoned food entrepreneur or simply passionate about Georgia's gastronomic delights, this episode offers a glimpse into the heart of the Flavor of Georgia, illuminating the path to culinary success in the Peach State.

Resources
Flavor of Georgia's website
Other food science-related episodes:

• Episode with Manpreet Singh, food science and technology department head: Serving up the facts: Food science and safety
• Episode with Kevin Mis Solval: From jellyfish to pomegranates: Revolutionizing food processing in Georgia
• Episode with Carla Schwan: Healthy holidays: Food safety tips for gifts and gatherings

Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Davenport
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, we sit down with Nick Place, Dean and Director of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia. Follow along as we learn about his journey from a Pennsylvania dairy farm to leading the forefront of agricultural and environmental science research, education and outreach. Hear about the dean's experiences in Extension work, international collaborations in Poland and the transition from being a Florida Gator to a Georgia Bulldog. Listen now to discover his achievements and aspirations in shaping the future of CAES, paving the way for innovation and impact in the ever-evolving fields of agricultural and environmental sciences.

Resources:

• The economic impact of CAES
• A Sense of Place
• The new Poultry Science Building is open for business
  • It's not too late – donate to the Poultry Science Building fund today! 
• UGA's Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture
• Podcast episode: Shaping the future of sustainable farming technology through integrative precision agriculture (IPA)
• UGA's Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics
• Video: Plant breeding at UGA
• Podcast episode: Transforming medicine with biotechnology

See how we have fun while making an impact!
Video: Dawg Day of Giving 2022
Video: Dawg Day of Giving 2023
Dean Place sits down with Joyro the Joro spider
Dean Place is the 2021 milking champion

Edited by Jordan Powers
Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Davenport
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.

Carla Schwan, CAES assistant professor and UGA Cooperative Extension food safety specialist joins us for a food safety-themed holiday episode! Carla shares how to safely prepare and share food during the holiday season, including gifting homemade food items like infused oils, canned produce and baked goods. Listen in to learn easy ways to prevent foodborne illnesses during the holidays – and every day!

Resources

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Big 9
Serving up the facts: Food science and safety with Manpreet Singh
FoodKeeper App from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

UGA Extension:

• So Easy to Preserve
• Find your local county Extension office
• How to Safely Make Infused Oils: Best Practices for Food Safety (Extension publication)

CAES Newswire articles:

• Prevent raw flour from being a recipe for disaster in your kitchen
• How to safely infuse oil for homemade gifts
• Avoid foodborne illness when preserving food at home

Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Davenport
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.

Explore the heart of rural Georgia in this episode as we discuss the intersection of social work, agriculture and mental well-being with Anna Scheyett, professor in the CAES Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC) and former dean at the University of Georgia's School of Social Work. Anna shares how she is building more robust networks to dismantle mental health stigmas, advocate for farmers' health and mental well-being, and highlight the statewide work being done to promote resilience and build support in the communities that provide our food, fuel and fiber.

Resources:

Suicide Crisis Line: https://988lifeline.org/
Anna's Cultivate profile
Rural Georgia Growing Stronger webpage
Thriving on the Farm blog

• Camp Hand's blog post

SAGE Farm and Rancher Stress Network
Athens News Matters: Anna Scheyett Discusses Growth in Suicides Among Farmers
Live Well, Farm Well. Farm Strong - New Zealand: https://farmstrong.co.nz/
USDA-NIFA: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/

CAES Newswire Farm Stress Stories:
Organizations across Georgia come together to combat farm stress
Rural stress summit to connect Georgia farmers with community resources

Edited by Jordan Powers
Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Davenport
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 dive into the world of food processing with Kevin Mis Solval, associate professor in the University of Georgia's Department of Food Science and Technology. Discover how Georgia's food industry is embracing innovation, blending tradition with modernity to craft sustainable, high-quality products for the world in this episode of Cultivating Curiosity. Kevin discusses his groundbreaking research that embraces both cutting-edge technologies and centuries-old techniques. We hear about unexpected but successful ventures, like turning jellyfish into valuable food products! Listen in to learn how these innovations are reshaping the state's food landscape, creating sustainable solutions and setting the stage for a future where creativity meets industry expertise.

Resources:

Mini peach processing line photos
USDA-NIFA: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/
USAID: https://www.usaid.gov/

CAES Newswire stories:
UGA researchers develop market for jellyfish proteins in Georgia
UGA food scientists get creative with Georgia commodities
Grant boosts development of novel food ingredients from jellyfish
UGA food science student wins USDA NIFA predoctoral fellowship

More about cannonball jellies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi4zYrTSP0E

Edited by Jordan Powers and Emily Davenport
Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Davenport
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 a recent 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 dig into the career of Dave Hoisington, director of the USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Peanut at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Listeners will gain insights into the critical role of peanuts in global food security and how the Peanut Innovation Lab is leveraging cutting-edge research to transform peanut cultivation, marketing and consumption. From collaborating with international scientists to working closely with African peanut breeders, Dave shares stories of how genetic diversity analysis has led to the development of resilient peanut varieties that can withstand climate challenges and contribute to thriving farm systems. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of science, sustainability and global well-being.

Resources:
List of all USAID Feed the Future Labs: https://www.usaid.gov/feed-the-future
The University of Georgia's wild peanut lab website: https://wildpeanutlab.uga.edu/
Danielle Essandoh, student researcher with the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Peanut

Edited by Carly Mirabile and Jordan Powers
Produced by Jordan Powers, Emily Davenport, Carly Mirabile
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 a recent 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.