As the holidays approach and kitchens heat up, food safety becomes just as important as the meal itself.

In this short episode, we revisit timeless advice from University of Georgia food science and safety experts Carla Schwan and Manpreet Singh, who share practical tips to help you cook, serve and store food safely this season.

From properly thawing your turkey to knowing when to finally pack up the leftovers, this episode will help you host with confidence and keep your guests healthy.

Resources:

• Food Safety Tips for Preparing a Holiday Turkey (UGA Cooperative Extension Publication)
• FDA major food allergens
• Find your county UGA Cooperative Extension office

Content from CAES:

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

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

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Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

What do hoop houses, vertical farms and DIY hydroponic systems all have in common? They are all part of controlled environment agriculture, or CEA — a rapidly growing field that lets farmers, researchers and even home gardeners produce crops year-round by shaping the growing environment.

In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we sit down with Rhuanito Ferrarezi, associate professor of horticulture in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), and Ruchika Kashyap, assistant professor of plant pathology at CAES and UGA Cooperative Extension specialist.

Both are members of the college's “fab five” of CEA. Together, they unpack what CEA is and how it differs from traditional farming, why Georgia — and CAES in particular — are emerging as a hub for greenhouse innovation, and what it could mean for food security, sustainability, and local access to fresh produce in the years ahead.

Content from CAES:

• CAES alumnus joins UGA-Griffin faculty to expand food production through controlled environment agriculture
• Controlled environment agriculture poised to become a growth industry
• CAES partners with Agrify to grow vertical farming efforts
• CAES vertical farming research sheds light on producing medicinal compounds

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Follow CAES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

Did you know your septic system is basically a mini wastewater treatment plant in your own backyard? In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension water resource expert Gary Hawkins shares the science of septic systems and offers simple steps homeowners can take to keep them working properly. From what not to flush and how to avoid “commode overload” to protecting your drain field and scheduling inspections, you’ll learn six essential tips to maintain a healthy septic tank, protect your well water and avoid costly repairs. Whether you’re on a septic system or municipal sewer, these practical strategies can help you safeguard your home and community.

Resources:

• CAES Water Resources Team site
• A Beginner’s Guide to Septic Systems (UGA Extension expert resource)
• On-Site Wastewater Management Systems and Their Environmental Impact (UGA Extension expert resource)
• United States Environmental Protection Agency septic system resources

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Produced and edited by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera
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.