Choosing the right flowers and knowing how to care for them can make the difference between a bouquet that fades fast and one that lasts.

In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, Julie Campbell, an assistant professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, shares practical, research-based advice on selecting long-lasting varieties, caring for bouquets at home and extending their usefulness beyond the vase. From budget-friendly flowers to simple techniques for drying, pressing and repurposing blooms, Campbell offers approachable tips that help flowers go further.

She also discusses her recent research on how buying and receiving flowers can boost well-being and reduce stress, offering scientific backing for something many of us have experienced.

Whether you’re building a bouquet for a special occasion or buying flowers just because, this episode may convince you that you should absolutely buy yourself flowers.

Content from CAES:

• Buying flowers may boost well-being, reduce stress
• Petal pushers: UGA researchers give insight into the minds (and carts) of American flower buyers
• UGA study finds that age plays a major role in flower purchases
• UGA horticulture course teaches fundamentals of floral design

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.

Radon doesn’t smell. You can’t see it. And most people don’t realize it’s in their home until someone tells them to look.

January is National Radon Action Month. In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, Rebecca Cantrell, radon educator for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, discusses why this invisible gas is a serious and often overlooked public health issue.

Cantrell explains what radon is, why it’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and why no home in Georgia is exempt from risk. She walks listeners through:

• How often to test
• How Extension helps residents make sense of their results
• What to do if results come back elevated
• How education around radon empowers residents to keep their homes and families safe

Learn more about how to protect your family from the health effects of radon at radon.uga.edu.

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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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 forme

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.