University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Commodity Teams

Commodity websites

Our teams made up of research scientists and extension specialists work together to provide the latest technology and information for efficient, profitable production of some of Georgia's most valuable commodities.





Cross-commodity programs

Many of our research and extension faculty work in multi-disciplinary teams and roles that affect more than one specific commodity or research area. There are many resources available that can be applied across disciplines and production areas. 




Commodity news:

Frank McGill was born on a family farm in Tift County, Georgia, on Dec. 16, 1925, in the area where he spent most of his working career and retirement. In his autobiography, he joked, "It's obvious I didn't get very far in life!" CAES News
Frank McGill was born on a family farm in Tift County, Georgia, on Dec. 16, 1925, in the area where he spent most of his working career and retirement. In his autobiography, he joked, "It's obvious I didn't get very far in life!"
Former UGA peanut specialist Frank McGill dies
J. Frank McGill, affectionally known throughout the Georgia agricultural community as “Mr. Peanut,” passed away surrounded by family on March 3 at age 95 in Tifton, Georgia.
Critical pesticide application training for pest control professionals and producers will go online for 2020. CAES News
Critical pesticide application training for pest control professionals and producers will go online for 2020.
Using Pesticides Wisely training continues virtual format during 2021
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and the Georgia Department of Agriculture are partnering to offer the Using Pesticides Wisely training program in a virtual format again this year.
Postharvest blueberries were tested under blue light to determine whether the light affected fruit quality or disease development. CAES News
Postharvest blueberries were tested under blue light to determine whether the light affected fruit quality or disease development.
UGA researchers investigate blue light to increase blueberry quality and fight disease
The COVID-19 crisis has put supply chain issues at the forefront of food production and packaging concerns. Researchers at the University of Georgia investigated a potential solution for extending the shelf life of blueberries by exposing blueberries to blue light during storage.
Watermelon research at the UGA-Tifton campus. CAES News
Watermelon research at the UGA-Tifton campus.
New rapid test for watermelon disease
Fusarium wilt, caused by a soilborne fungus, is one of the most damaging diseases of watermelons worldwide. Since it was discovered in 1894, it’s been a battle for producers to manage through crop rotation and chemical fungicides.
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Upcoming commodity-related events:

Thursday, January 21, 2021 – 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.  Wintergreen Lunch and Learn Webinar sponsored by Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA)  Wintergreen is typically attended by several thousand people. Conference will be held virtually for first time    Agenda:  12:15-12:20 p.m. - Introduction (Greg Huber)  12:20-12:35 p.m. - Overview of COVID-19 and impact on small businesses in the state  (Ben Campbell)  12:35-12:50 p.m. - Financial Resilience: Continuity plans and business flexibility (Steve Newton)  12:50-1:05 p.m. - Changing marketing practices in the nursery and landscape industry (Cheryl Boyer)  1:05-1:15 p.m. - Q&A Forum (Jill Gambill)      Thursday, February 18, 2021 – 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.   Zoom webinar co-sponsored by Georgia Recreation and Parks Association and the Georgia Urban Ag Council     Agenda:  8:00-8:05 a.m. - Introduction (Greg Huber)  8:05-8:25 a.m.  - Overview of COVID-19: Impact and a changing reality (Julie Campbell)  8:25-8:45 a.m. - Customer service: extending the safety message from crew to customer (Steve Newton)  8:45-9:05 a.m. - Managing the essential workforce in a pandemic: crew dynamics, challenges, and opportunities, adaptations, efficiencies. (Teddy Russell)  9:05-9:30 a.m. - Q&A Forum & Discussion: safety precautions and facility adaptations. Panel (Kerry Shay, Steve Faber, Stan Deal, Pam Dooley, Mary Kay Woodworth, TJ Imberger, Jill Gambill)     Thursday, March 18, 2021 – 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.   Zoom Webinar    Agenda:  8:00- 8:05 a.m. - Introduction (Jill Gambill, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant)  8:05-8:40 a.m. - Planting and establishment for the sustainable community forest (Alex Ballard, Georgia Forestry Commission) (35 minutes)  8:40-9:15 a.m. - Eco-friendly landscaping (Keren Giovengo, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant) (35 minutes)  9:15-9:30 a.m. - Empowering employees with educational pathways - GCLP, GCPP, Supercrew, and more. (Greg Huber, UGA Center for Urban Agriculture)  
Mar 18
8:00AM - 9:30AM Managing Shocks and Disruptions to the Green Industry: COVID-19 and Beyond (3-part webinar series) https://outreachregistration.uga.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=2501994
Optimizing the use of insect-pathogenic nematodes for turfgrass insect pest management Dr. Albrecht Koppenhofer, Rutgers University, NJ Talk with cover basic information on biology and ecology of entomopathogenic nematodes and discuss the optimal use of them for the management of important turfgrass insect pests in GA incl. white grubs, billbugs, and caterpillar pests.  The integration of the nematodes into IPM of turfgrass pest will be discussed.   Recognizing and combating turfgrass disease issues in the landscape Dr. Joseph Robert, Dept. of Plant Pathology, Clemson University This presentation will cover prominent turfgrass diseases commonly observed on turfgrasses used in the landscape.  Key diagnostic features and ideal environmental conditions will be outlined for individual pathogens, along with cultural and chemical management tools for combating disease.
Mar 18
3:00PM - 5:00PM GTPOB Green Webinar Series Session 2 https://ugaurbanag.com/
Hard To Kill—Why It Is Important To Understand The Mode Of Action Of Insecticides And Miticides Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Dept. of Entomology, Kansas State University Raymond will initially discuss what constitutes a modes of action, and then he will describe the modes of action associated with commonly used insecticides and miticides and why this information is critical in avoiding resistance developing in insect and mite pest populations. He will also present information from the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) and address how modes of action are used in rotation programs. Invasive ornamentals and non-invasive cultivars/species Dr. Gary Knox, University of Florida A number of widely grown woody ornamentals are recognized as being invasive in parts of the southeastern USA. Fortunately, breeding, selection and research has identified a number of cultivars that are sterile or much less invasive than the widely cultivated forms. Dr. Knox will discuss issues surrounding invasive woody plants and highlight sterile or less invasive cultivars that the Green Industry should grow and promote to consumers.
May 13
3:00PM - 5:00PM GTPOB Green Webinar Series Session 3 https://ugaurbanag.com/
Managing environmental stresses in the landscape Dr. Mengmeng Gu, Texas A &M University Plants in landscapes may or may not encounter diseases or insect issues, but they are very likely exposed to one or more types of environmental stresses, also known as abiotic stresses. Environmental stresses may include temperature stresses (both high and low temperatures), air quality (e.g. air pollution and gas leaks), water stresses (too much and not enough), light levels (too much and not enough), fertility, and of course soil conditions. Some of these factors are interconnected, and thus complicated. This presentation hopes to elucidate these abiotic stresses in landscapes for cost-effective landscape management.    Disease management in ornamentals Dr. Jean Willian-Woodward, Dept. of Plant Pathology, Univesity of Georgia Jean will talk about the major disease issues and their biological information on o
Jul 15
3:00PM - 5:00PM GTPOB Green Webinar Series Session 4 https://ugaurbanag.com/
What should you do if you have a pesticide accident? Dr. Mickey Taylor, Dept. of Entomology, University of Georgia This webinar will help you recognize the hazards you and your fellow workers face when handling and applying pesticides. You will be able to differentiate the types of harmful effects associated with pesticide exposure and relate the hazard classification system & its corresponding signal words to the personal protective equipment you must wear according to the pesticide’s label. Finally, we will discuss how you should respond to a pesticide spill and how to use the three Cs (control, contain, and clean-up) to manage all sizes of pesticide spills.   Managing ambrosia beetles in nurseries and landscape plantings Dr. Will Hudson, Dept. of Entomology, University of Georgia The speaker will cover the biology of the beetles, seasonal timing, trapping, and factors known to increase susceptibility in plant material.  Also, current management options for the ambrosia beetle problem in the landscape will be discussed.
Sep 16
3:00PM - 5:00PM GTPOB Green Webinar Series Session 5 https://ugaurbanag.com/
Current research and general management of Imported fire ants in nurseries Dr. Jason Oliver, Dept. of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University The talk will cover basic imported fire ant management techniques for nursery, landscape, and turfgrass sites and will provide information on the latest research to develop new and more practical treatments for fire ant quarantine certification in commercial nurseries.   The worst weeds in the landscape and how to control them Dr. Mark Czarnota, Dept. of Horticulture, University of Georgia Weed control starts with proper identification; Dr. Czarnota will cover the most troublesome landscape weeds and discuss the best strategies for cultural and chemical control.
Nov 18
11/18 3:00PM - 11/19 5:00PM GTPOB Green Webinar Series Session 6 https://ugaurbanag.com/
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Keep checking this space for upcoming events!


Georgia Agricultural Statistics

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