News

Issmat Kassem CAES News
Inside the fight against antimicrobial resistance
University of Georgia Center for Food Safety researcher Issmat Kassem has dedicated nearly two decades to studying antimicrobial resistance, identified by the World Health Organization as a top-10 public health threat to humanity. Kassem was recently recognized as a ScholarGPS Highly Ranked Scholar for his research studying antimicrobial resistance in water and food. Hear directly from Kassem in this Q&A about his work to protect public health from this ongoing threat.
iStock image - a close up of hands scraping food from a cutting board into a compost bin. CAES News
Composting 101: Everything you need to know to get started
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.
Scott Jackson CAES News
CAES plant geneticist develops new tools to improve crops
Meet Scott Jackson, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Synthetic Biology. Jackson's research at the University of Georgia focuses on accelerating crop improvement to benefit farmers, communities and a rapidly expanding global population. “We’re utilizing advanced modeling to explore the role of multiple, interacting aspects of agricultural systems, genetics to management, with the ultimate goal of improving productivity and sustainability,” said Jackson, faculty in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Graduate students Leniha Lagarde (left) and Sofia Varriano collect feces samples from pastured chickens at Foster Brady Farms in Madison, Georgia. CAES News
Poop with a purpose: CAES study analyzes chicken feces to boost farm sustainability
Calling all chicken wranglers: If you raise free-range or pastured chickens on your commercial farm, researchers at the University of Georgia want to know what your feathered friends are eating. To find out, the research team at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences wants your chicken poop for the Chicken Ecology and Ecosystem Services, or ChickEES, study.
Fire ants attack queen ants CAES News
Minority rules: Fire ant study reveals power of the few
Researchers at UGA working with fire ants are trying to understand how a small group of ants can convince a larger group to change a fundamental aspect of their behavior—whether they kill or nurture multiple queens. Their work was published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The lead author is Haolin Zeng, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology who completed his PhD at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 2022.
Robin Buell CAES News
Buell, Perez elected to National Academy of Sciences
University of Georgia professors C. Robin Buell and Daniel R. Perez have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the organization announced on April 29. Members are elected to NAS in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors a scientist can receive.
Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture Conference CAES News
Integrative Precision Agriculture Conference showcases the future of farming
It’s a Thursday morning in the Perry Events Center, a high-ceilinged, white-walled open room that used to serve as an armory. It’s filled with just shy of 150 attendees of the second Integrative Precision Agriculture Conference hosted by the University of Georgia’s Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture.
Leaders from the University of Georgia, Grand Farm and Georgia’s agriculture community break ground on UGA Grand Farm in Perry, Georgia. The 250-acre innovation farm will focus on advancing autonomous technologies and sustainable practices tailored to Southeast agriculture. (Photo by Sean Montgomery) CAES News
UGA Grand Farm breaks ground in Perry, Georgia
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and North Dakota-based Grand Farm came together Friday to break ground on the University of Georgia Grand Farm, an agriculture innovation partnership in Perry, Georgia. UGA President Jere W. Morehead, Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Sen. Larry Walker, Grand Farm Ecosystems Director Andrew Jason and CAES Dean and Director Nick T. Place addressed the crowd of more than 200 attendees.
(Clockwise from bottom left) Doctoral students Daniel Matusinec (photos one and two), Maria Teresa Tancredi (photos three through five), and master's degree student Carlton Collins (photos six and seven) were honored with 2025 E. Broadus Browne Awards for the best graduate research from departments within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. CAES News
Three graduate researchers honored in 20th year of E. Broadus Browne Awards
For the 20th consecutive year, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences hosted the prestigious E. Broadus Browne Research Awards competition, resulting in three new graduate students being honored for their outstanding efforts in research and communication. In recognition of former Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station Director Edmund Broadus Browne, the annual competition highlights some of the best graduate research from departments within the college and challenges contestants with an oral presentation.