Cultivating Curiosity

Are Joro spiders really invasive? Do they fly? Are they dangerous to people? In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, Rebekah Wallace , program coordinator at the University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health , separates fact from fiction about Georgia’s most talked-about spider. Wallace explains how Joro spiders spread, what researchers are learning about their impacts o...

Organic food is everywhere, but what does that label really mean? How do organic farmers manage weeds and pests without conventional herbicides and pesticides? What makes soil health so central to organic production? And can practices developed for organic farming benefit agriculture more broadly? In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, University of Georgia assistant professor Kate Cassity-Duff...

Turn on the faucet, and water comes out. For private well owners, though, that water has a story that starts far below ground. Where does well water actually come from? Why are some wells hundreds of feet deeper than others? And if your water looks, smells and tastes fine, do you still need to test it? In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension water mana...

What does precision agriculture actually look like in the field? In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we're joined by Luan Oliveira , assistant professor in the University of Georgia Department of Horticulture and UGA Cooperative Extension precision agriculture specialist, to break down how artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous sprayers, drone technology and smart farming tools a...

Ever daydream of being the envy of the neighborhood with a phenomenal, fall-off-the-bone rack of ribs that people can't get enough of? Ahead of what many people consider the beginning of grilling season, we’re joined by Alex Stelzleni , professor and director of graduate studies for the University of Georgia Department of Animal and Dairy Science . In this short interview, Stelzleni provides...

Spring has a way of showing up all at once, and suddenly, the garden is calling. Whether you’re planting a backyard garden or a few containers on a patio, this episode of Cultivating Curiosity will help you start the season with confidence. We’re joined by Heather Kirk-Ballard , assistant professor in the University of Georgia Department of Horticulture and UGA Cooperative Extension specialist in...

Choosing the right flowers and knowing how to care for them can make the difference between a bouquet that fades fast and one that lasts. In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, Julie Campbell , an assistant professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences , shares practical, research-based advice on selecting long-lasting varieties, caring for bouquets a...

Radon doesn’t smell. You can’t see it. And most people don’t realize it’s in their home until someone tells them to look. January is National Radon Action Month. In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, Rebecca Cantrell , radon educator for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences , discusses why this invisible gas is a serious and often overlooke...

As the holidays approach and kitchens heat up, food safety becomes just as important as the meal itself. In this short episode, we revisit timeless advice from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension food safety specialist Carla Schwan , an assistant professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences , and Manpreet Singh , professor and former head of the Department of Food Science and T...

What do hoop houses, vertical farms and DIY hydroponic systems all have in common? They are all part of controlled environment agriculture, or CEA — a rapidly growing field that lets farmers, researchers and even home gardeners produce crops year-round by shaping the growing environment.  In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we sit down with Rhuanito Ferrarezi , associate professor of horticu...

Did you know your septic system is basically a mini wastewater treatment plant in your own backyard? In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension water resource expert Gary Hawkins shares the science of septic systems and offers simple steps homeowners can take to keep them working properly. From what not to flush and how to avoid “commode overload” to prot...

June marks the start of hurricane season in Georgia — and there’s no better time to prepare than on a sunny day. In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we’re joined by Pam Knox , agricultural climatologist and director of the UGA Weather Network , to unpack what hurricane season means for Georgia residents. Pam breaks down the terms residents often hear but may not fully grasp, explaining the d...

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...

As temperatures rise and Georgians head outdoors, the battle against bloodsucking pests begins in earnest. In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we are joined by CAES entomologist Nancy Hinkle and public health Extension specialist Elmer Gray for a practical, no-nonsense look at two of the South’s most irritating pests: ticks and mosquitoes. In the first half of the episode, we learn essential...

Happy New Year, listeners! In this episode, we dive into one of the toughest New Year’s resolutions: improving time management. Joined by Travis Mountain , UGA Cooperative Extension specialist in financial planning, we break down 10 practical strategies from the popular UGA Extension publication 10 Strategies for Better Time Management . From tracking how you spend your time to delegating tasks an...

Managing a hub of innovation is no small feat, but for Eric Elsner , superintendent of the J. Phil Campbell Research and Education Center , it’s a daily opportunity to make an impact. In this episode, Eric shares how he oversees multidisciplinary research projects designed to tackle real-world challenges Georgia farmers face. From managing collaborative studies to supporting student workers in uni...

In this episode, we’re joined by Bethany Harris , director of the Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture , to discuss her vision for the center as it works to meet the growing needs of urban agriculture in Georgia. As cities across the state expand, so does the need for innovative agricultural practices that support sustainable growth and resilient communities. Harris shares how the center is drivin...

In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, Kaitlyn Casulli , assistant professor and UGA Cooperative Extension process specialist in the CAES Department of Food Science and Technology , shares her journey into food science and her fascinating work with food safety, thermal processing and her efforts to support the craft beverage industry in rural Georgia. She also introduces the new Value-addition...

Do you know where your T-shirt got its start? In this episode, we travel to Tifton, Georgia, to speak with Camp Hand , assistant professor in the CAES Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and a key member of the UGA Cotton Team . Join us as we dive into the intricacies of cotton agronomy, the importance of UGA's experiment stations and the collaborative nature of the cotton industry in Georgi...

In this episode, we sit down with Ty Brooks , farm director at UGArden , UGA's student community farm. Join us as Ty shares his journey and insights into the daily operations of UGArden, a unique space dedicated to research, teaching and outreach. Discover how UGArden engages students through internships, volunteer opportunities and hands-on learning experiences while giving back to the commu...

In this quick episode, co-host Jordan Powers pops in ahead of the holiday weekend to share a Cultivating Curiosity hosting update. It's a tale of two Emilys listeners won't want to miss! --- Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera Edited by Jordan Powers Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock , an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller who creates innovative soul-pop mu...

In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, we explore the long, illustrious career of Larry Beuchat , professor emeritus at UGA's Center for Food Safety . Larry shares his journey from Penn State to Quaker Oats, where he worked on iconic projects like candies for the film "Willy Wonka," and then to UGA, where he spent over 50 years in food safety research. Larry discusses the evoluti...

Join us as we delve into the world of urban entomology with two of the field's leading experts: Dan Suiter , Orkin Professor of Urban Entomology and UGA Cooperative Extension entomologist, and Glen Ramsey, director of Rollins Entomology Department Technical Services.  Discover the nuances of urban entomology and its impact on our daily lives, from homes to hospitals. Learn about the unique pa...

In this episode, we sit down with Angelos Deltsidis , assistant professor and postharvest Extension specialist at the University of Georgia Tifton campus, to explore the important role postharvest physiology has in preserving the quality and safety of our food supply and its broader implications for agriculture and global food security.  From the moment fruits and vegetables are harvested to the t...

In this episode, we dive into the world of peach production with Dario Chavez , associate professor in the CAES Department of Horticulture . Join us as we explore the intricate relationship between science, agriculture and climate change, uncovering how chill hours impact peach production and discuss the future of peach breeding in the face of shifting climate trends. From innovative breeding tech...