Office of Communications
OC Highlights — February/March 2009
A Monthly Tip Sheet on
Effective Communication
Environmental report
Special edition
OC writers and designers assisted CAES Office of Environmental Sciences Director Susan Varlamoff with this annual publication. This year's report focuses on renewable energy and provides updates on numerous CAES projects from breeding bioenergy crops to using existing crops, like sunflowers, algae and switchgrass, as biofuel sources. The ER also includes an interesting look ahead into the future of farming through the eyes of CAES Professor Craig Kvien.
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In the news — Salmonella in peanuts
Expertise and objectivity
The recent outbreak of Salmonella linked to a peanut processing plant in Blakely, Ga., presented numerous opportunities for various CAES faculty to be advocates for science, the college and agriculture. Many college faculty including Mike Doyle, John Beasley, Nathan Smith and UGA Extension's Brian Cresswell and Elizabeth Andress were cited in more than 500 news reports across the U.S. and around the world, demonstrating the value of our expertise and objectivity to the news media and the public.
Examples of news coverage
- 'Peanut Proud' Farm Town Struggles With Tainted Image
The Fulton County News — Feb 25, 2009 - Peanut blanching plant in Virginia had salmonella risks
USA Today — Feb 9, 2009 - State's farmers take early blow
Atlanta Journal Constitution — Feb 7, 2009 - Congress introduces food safety bill as more peanut products are ...
The Oregonian - OregonLive.com — Feb 4, 2009 - Tracking peanuts, soil to processor
Atlanta Journal Constitution — Feb 1, 2009
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New Web sites
Recently released
Office of Communications Web developers worked with content managers over several months to develop, review and release several new Web sites.
- Burton 4-H Center — The Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island reaches more than 6,000 students and adults through its Environmental Education and Summer Camp programs.
- Pecan Truffles — The pecan truffle is a unique fungus with a flavor and texture all its own. Its association with the majestic pecan trees found throughout the Deep South gives it a special appeal.
New County Extension Office Web sites
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Publications update
Online statistics
| January | February | |
| Hits | 2,224,147 | 2,603,214 |
| Average Hits per Day | 71,746 | 92,971 |
| Visits | 205,715 | 239,037 |
| Average Visit Length | 00:17:53 | 00:15:42 |
| Visits from United States | 40.44% | 56.65% |
| International Visits | 7.75% | 8.71% |
February's most popular publications
| Views | Avg. Time Viewed | |
| Growing Orchids | 11,073 | 00:05:57 |
| Crape Myrtle Culture | 9,135 | 00:06:15 |
| Vegetable Garden Calendar | 8,265 | 00:05:23 |
| Rats and Mice: Keep Them Out of Your House and Yard | 6,246 | 00:05:14 |
| Landscape Plants for Georgia (This publication is currently undergoing major revisions and is temporarily unavailable.) | 5,786 | 00:03:09 |
| Growing Ferns | 5,439 | 00:05:28 |
New pubs released in February 2009
- Composting 101: How to Effectively Operate a Poultry Mortality Compost Bin — EB 103
- 2008 Tobacco Research Report — SB 63-2
- 2009 Georgia Pest Management Handbook — SB 28
- Georgia Farm-A-Syst: Management of Irrigation Systems — B 1152-05
- Georgia Farm-A-Syst: Petroleum Storage and Handling — B 1152-07
- Protect Yourself from Ticks — C 937 (Replaces L 417)
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Water Conservation
Materials and resources
Talk may have waned on Georgia's drought, but don't be fooled. Reservoir levels remain low and rainfall has not returned to normal levels. Stay ahead of the public's (and the media's) attention to this topic. Review the materials and resources available at www.conservewatergeorgia.net.
A new Drought in Georgia teaching poster contains one of a series of four sixth grade lesson plans developed by Georgia teachers that meets Georgia Performance Standards in earth science. These posters are FREE and available for order now. Or, download PDF versions of the Poster and Lesson Plan.
Extension agent materials and supplies are available for order and download from the Office of Communications. We are offering free shipping for all water conservation supplies through the end of March. Visit the Water Conservation Materials Web page to place your order.