UGA Cooperative Extension
Banks County Extension Office:
Agriculture & Natural Resources 
Testing & sampling Procedures
Whether you'd like to increase your crop yield, grow healthier roses, test the quality of your drinking water, or make sure your creek isn't polluted, we can help. To submit samples for testing contact the Banks County Cooperative Extension Office (706) 677-6230.
For more information, visit our Testing Services Web Page.
AESL - Agriculture and Environmental Services Laboratories (AESL) at the University of Georgia offer testing for soil analysis, plant tissue analysis, water quality, pesticides and hazardous waste, feeds and forages and other special analyses.
Pesticide Safety, Training & Certification Information
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Click on the link below for help in obtaining your Private Pesticide License, or come by the Extension Office in Homer.
- Have a pesticide question? Bug sprays, weed killers, disinfectants & more information can be found a the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, where you will find pesticide information including recognition and management of pesticide poisoning. Call toll-free: 1 (800) 858-7878
- Pesticide Storage & Mixing Facilities
- Need info on training, recertification and pesticide credit hours and programs follow this link: Pesticide Safety, Training, & Certification.
Who needs to be certified as a private applicator? Anyone "who uses or supervises the use of any pesticide which is classified for restricted use." An applicator must be 18 years of age or older to be certified. The pesticide certification program is carried out jointly by Cooperative Extension and the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA). Your local Extension Agent is responsible for providing training and the GDA is the regulatory authority for licensing and enforcement.
Home Gardening Information
UGA Center for Urban Agriculture
Horticulture Publications - Find publications on the following popular topics:
- Fruits & Nuts
- Vegetables
- Herbs
- Ornamentals
- Trees
- Landscape Design
- Weed Wizard Series
Conversion Tables, Formulas and Suggested Guidelines for Horticultural Use
Organic Agriculture
Increasing demand for food grown under organic certification guidelines has created opportunities for some Georgia farmers.
- Commercial Organic Vegetable Production
- Georgia Organics
- National Organic Program (USDA)
- Organic Certification Program (Georgia Crop Improvement Association)
- Organic Vidalia Onion Production
- Sustainable Agriculture: Organic Production
- UGA Certificate Program in Organic Agriculture
Georgia Commodities
To learn more about Georgia Commodities, visit the Georgia Agricultural Resources web page.
Pest Management
Something buggin' you? We provide identification, photos and a diagnostic lab to help trouble shoot your insect, disease, weed and other problems.
- Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
- Fruit Pest Management & Culture
- Georgia Pest Management Handbook
- Insect Identification & Management
- Landscape Pest Mangement
- Urban Pest Management
- Stinging and Biting Pests of People
Master Gardener Information
For more information (you will be directed to a new page)
Helpful Links
- Extension's Farm & Financial Management Publications
- Farmers & Consumers Market Bulletin
- Georgia Department of Agriculture
- Georgia Forages
- Georgia Pest Management Handbook
- Georgia Private Pesticide License Information
- Georgia Soil and Water Conservation
- Georgia Turfgrass
- Georgia Weather
- UGA Beef Program
- United States Department of Agriculture
