UGA Cooperative Extension

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DeKalb County Extension Office:
Agriculture & Natural Resources

Our staff and volunteers serve the residents of DeKalb County by providing them with the most current information in horticulture, agriculture and the environment. This information is available through one-on-one visits, phone calls, emails, our website, public-training programs, mailings, newsletters, and media outlets. Our goal is to take research-based information from UGA field laboratories and the USDA, and deliver it in a useful, practical way to homeowners, schools, green industry representatives and master gardener volunteers.

Eat Locally Grown Food

A recent study by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development showed that if each Georgia household spent $10 weekly buying local food, nearly $2 billion would flow back into the state’s economy. Unfortunately, 80 percent of what we spend on food comes from outside the state. It’s time to do things differently. See the Atlanta Journal and Constitution Article at http://www.ajc.com/opinion/eat-our-veggies-stimulate-963224.html.

2012 Homeowner Gardening Series: Landscape Design, Wildlife Control & Everything in Between

Don't have a green thumb? Want your lawn to be the envy of the neighborhood? Trying to get rid of those annoying weeds? Well, our skillful and knowledgeable Horticulture staff will get you on your way with the 2012 Homeowner Gardening Series. Each class is $10 at the door and for advance registration, $75 for 10 classes and $150 for 21 classes. Now, that's a deal you won't be able to get anywhere! Contact our office at (404) 298-4080 to pre-register today!

Other Extension Gardening Classes

Sarah's Plant of the Month

Each month, our very own horticulture specialist, Sarah Brodd, will choose a new plant to feature monthly. Learn about various plants, how to care for these plants and best growing conditions.

Important issues we address include:

Planting and protecting trees so they can enhance our quality of living and reduce soil erosion and water run-off.
Conserving water quality and quantity through the use of water-wise landscape practices such as xeriscaping – low water use landscaping.
Recycling yard trimmings through composting, mulching and grass-cycling; thereby building better soils and conserving valuable landfill space.
Reducing the use and misuse of pesticides through proper problem diagnosis and careful training.
Building healthy citizens and communities through community gardening.

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Homeowner's Information

Gardeners and local homeowners call upon the Extension Office to answer their personal gardening and landscaping questions. Information is available on landscaping, lawns, insect control – in the home and outdoors, fruit and vegetable production, tree care, annual and perennial flowers, pastures, traditional agriculture and more. Soil and water samples can be tested for safety and to help you make effective, money-saving decisions about plants, fertilizers and pesticides. Visitors often bring in samples of weeds, diseases, insects and wildlife for identification and/or a control recommendation.

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Master Gardeners

The Master Gardener Program- Picture of peppers on a vine New Master Gardener volunteers are trained every year and veterans receive additional training to keep them up-to-date. These volunteers assist us in all areas of our program and help us handle a large volume of citizen information requests. Demonstrations on composting techniques, conservation and wildlife gardening are available countywide for citizens to visit and many have on-site educational literature.