#agriculture | AM 1180 Radio

June 20, 2026

Farm Bureau Seeking Nominations for 2027 Veteran Farmer Award

Local News, Local News Items #AgNews, #agriculture, #AgricultureNews, #AmericanFarmBureau, #FarmBureau, #FarmCredit, #FarmerBootcamp, #Farming, #GeorgiaFarmBureau, #MilitaryVeterans, #ProjectVictoryGardens, #RuralAmerica, #VeteranFarmerAward, #VeteransInAgriculture, #VeteranSupport, #wzqznews 0

The American Farm Bureau Federation is accepting applications for its 2027 Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence, recognizing military veterans and active-duty service members who have found success in agriculture while making a positive impact in their communities.

Supported by Farm Credit, the award honors individuals who have carried the values of military service into farming and ranching, including leadership, hard work, problem-solving, and service to others.

The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize, along with reimbursement for travel and related expenses to attend the 2027 American Farm Bureau Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 2026 recipient was retired Army Command Sergeant Major Matthew Rutter of South Carolina. Following a 22-year military career, Rutter co-founded Project Victory Gardens and created Farmer Bootcamp, a program designed to help fellow veterans explore careers and opportunities in agriculture.

Applications for the 2027 award are due September 1. Farm Bureau membership is not required to apply.

Additional information and application details are available through the American Farm Bureau Federation.

June 16, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga Beekeepers Association To Visit Chattooga Library

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #Beekeeping, #ChattoogaBeekeepersAssociation, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaLibrary, #CommunityEvent, #Education, #FamilyFriendly, #HoneyBees, #June2026, #LocalEvents, #northwestgeorgia, #PollinatorWeek, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

The Chattooga County Library will host a special program featuring the Chattooga Beekeepers Association on Thursday, June 18, at 11 a.m.

The event will be held at the Chattooga County Library, located at 360 Farrar Drive in Summerville, and is open to the public.

According to event organizers, the program is being presented in recognition of National Pollinator Week, which is observed June 22–28. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the important role pollinators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting agriculture.

Members of the Chattooga Beekeepers Association are expected to provide hands-on information about honey bees and their impact on the environment. The program is designed to increase awareness of pollinators and offer educational opportunities for community members of all ages.

The event is hosted by the Sara Hightower Regional Library System and the Chattooga County Library.

June 14, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

FDA Authorizes Emergency Treatment for Flesh-Eating Screwworm in Pets

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #AnimalCare, #AnimalHealth, #Cats, #CattleIndustry, #Dogs, #EmergencyUseAuthorization, #FDA, #Livestock, #NationalNews, #NewMexico, #NewWorldScrewworm, #PetHealth, #PetOwners, #PublicHealth, #Screwworm, #Texas, #USDA, #VeterinaryMedicine, #wzqznews 0

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for nitenpyram, a medication used to treat New World screwworm infestations in dogs and cats. The action marks the first approval of a generic animal drug specifically authorized for use against the flesh-eating parasite.

June 5, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Recent Rains Bring Much-Needed Drought Relief to Northwest Georgia

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Weeks of steady rainfall have brought encouraging news for Northwest Georgia, helping ease drought conditions that have plagued the region for months.

May 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Recent Rains Bring Drought Relief To Chattooga County And Northwest Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #DroughtRelief, #DroughtUpdate, #GeorgiaDrought, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGAWeather, #Rainfall, #summervillega, #trionga, #WaterConditions, #WeatherNews, #wzqznews 0

Weeks of steady rainfall are beginning to make a noticeable difference across Northwest Georgia, with drought conditions continuing to improve throughout the region.

May 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Governor Kemp Signs Major Forestry Legislation Supporting Rural Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #CarbonCredits, #EconomicDevelopment, #ForestryIndustry, #ForestryJobs, #ForestryManufacturing, #GeorgiaEconomy, #GeorgiaForestry, #georgiapolitics, #GovernorKemp, #HB134, #KeepGeorgiaForested, #May72026, #northwestgeorgia, #PrescribedBurning, #RuralGeorgia, #TimberIndustry, #WaterManagement, #WildfirePrevention, #WorkingForests, #wzqznews 0

Governor Brian P. Kemp signed a major package of forestry and natural resources legislation Thursday at the Georgia Forestry Association headquarters in Forsyth, highlighting what industry leaders are calling a major boost for Georgia’s forestry economy and rural communities.

May 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Natural Resources Conservation Workshop Set For June In Tifton

Local News, Local News Items #ABAC, #agriculture, #ConservationWorkshop, #Forestry, #GeorgiaEducation, #GeorgiaStudents, #HighSchoolStudents, #NaturalResources, #OutdoorEducation, #Scholarships, #SoilAndWaterConservation, #StudentOpportunities, #TiftonGA, #Wildlife, #wzqznews 0

High school students interested in conservation, agriculture, wildlife, forestry, soil, water, or Georgia’s mining industry are being encouraged to apply for the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop.

The weeklong program will be held June 7-12, 2026, at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. Students will get hands-on experience through field studies, outdoor activities, and behind-the-scenes tours focused on Georgia’s natural resources.

More than $20,000 in scholarships and awards will be available. Students will also get a taste of college life by staying in dorms and meeting others from across the state.

The workshop is free, and transportation is provided through Georgia’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Interested high school students can apply by contacting Director Michelle Conner at michelle.conner@gaswcc.ga.gov.

May 2, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Drought Driving Up Hay Prices for Farmers and Livestock Owners

Local News, Local News Items #AgNews, #agriculture, #CattleFarmers, #chattoogacounty, #DroughtImpact, #Farmers, #FarmingLife, #floydcountyga, #FoodSupply, #GeorgiaDrought, #HayPrices, #Livestock, #LocalAgriculture, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #WalkerCountyGA, #WeatherImpact, #wzqznews 0

Ongoing drought conditions across Georgia are creating challenges for farmers and livestock owners, with hay supplies tightening and prices climbing.

April 27, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Named Primary Natural Disaster Area Due To Drought

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #April27, #April272026, #chattoogacounty, #Drought, #EmergencyLoans, #Farmers, #FSA, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #GeorgiaFarmers, #Level1Drought, #Monday, #NaturalDisasterArea, #northwestgeorgia, #USDA, #WaterRestrictions, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga County has been named a primary natural disaster area due to ongoing drought conditions, as state and federal officials continue to respond to dry weather impacting Georgia cities and rural communities.

April 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Fertilizer Price Spike Creating Challenges For Georgia Farmers This Spring

Local News, Local News Items #AgEconomy, #Agribusiness, #agriculture, #chattoogacounty, #CropCosts, #CropProduction, #economicimpact, #FarmingChallenges, #FarmLife, #FarmNews, #FarmUpdate, #FertilizerPrices, #FoodPrices, #GeorgiaFarmers, #GeorgiaFarming, #LocalFarming, #northwestgeorgia, #PlantingSeason, #RuralGeorgia, #SpringPlanting, #wzqznews 0

As spring planting season gets underway, farmers across Georgia—including those in Northwest Georgia—are facing rising costs that are putting pressure on already tight budgets.