#GeorgiaAgriculture | AM 1180 Radio

July 3, 2026

Chattooga County Young Farmers Welcomes New Teacher Chris Ramsey

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Chattooga County Young Farmers has announced the addition of a new instructor for the upcoming program year. Chris Ramsey has joined the organization after most recently teaching at Rockmart High School for the past two years.

Ramsey holds a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, a master’s degree in secondary education, and a specialist degree in career and technical education from Auburn University. Prior to teaching in Georgia, he spent more than 20 years teaching in Alabama.

In addition to his classroom experience, Ramsey operates a farm where he raises beef cattle and pigs. He and his wife have two children, both of whom are studying Agribusiness at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Chattooga County Young Farmers officials say they are excited to welcome Ramsey and look forward to the knowledge, energy, and leadership he will bring to the program. Ramsey says he is eager to get started and looks forward to meeting and working with local Young Farmers members.

June 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

New Georgia Program Aims to Protect Farmland From Development

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Georgia is taking steps to slow the loss of farmland as rapid growth continues across the state.

June 27, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

State Agriculture Officials Ask Georgians To Watch For Yellow-Legged Hornets

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Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said this week that the Georgia Department of Agriculture is continuing its efforts to track, trap and eradicate the invasive yellow-legged hornet, and he is encouraging residents to help by watching for signs of the destructive insect.

Harper is asking Georgians to be on the lookout for possible secondary nests and to report any suspected sightings to the state.

Residents should watch for hornet activity around beehives, especially during the morning hours before noon and again after 5 PM.

Possible secondary nests may appear as large, round or oval-shaped structures located high in trees or other elevated areas. Officials say the nests are typically gray or brown and made of layered, paper-like material. Depending on temperatures, they may be visible from late summer through winter.

Anyone who believes they have spotted a yellow-legged hornet nest should report the sighting to the Georgia Department of Agriculture by email at yellow.legged.hornet@agr.georgia.gov.

June 18, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Extension Urges Public To Watch For Spotted Lanternfly

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Chattooga County Extension is asking residents to be on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect that can cause serious damage to trees, crops, and ornamental plants.

June 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Expands Animal Entry Rules After Screwworm Detection In U.S.

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Georgia agriculture officials have expanded animal entry requirements following the detection of New World screwworm in the United States, a livestock pest that was eradicated from the country decades ago.

June 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Heat Safety Important for Pets and Livestock Across Northwest Georgia

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With temperatures climbing into the 90s and heat index values approaching 100 degrees across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, animal owners are being reminded to take extra precautions to protect pets and livestock from dangerous heat-related illnesses.

June 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Producers Urged to Review USDA Screwworm Resources After Confirmed U.S. Case

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Livestock producers are being urged to stay alert following the recent confirmation of a New World screwworm case in the United States.

The USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas, on June 3. The CDC says no locally acquired human infestations have been reported in the United States, but the outbreak has been moving northward through Central America and Mexico since 2023, affecting livestock, pets, wildlife, and people.

New World screwworm is a serious pest that can infest wounds in warm-blooded animals. Because of the potential risk to livestock and agriculture, the USDA has released preparedness resources for producers, including current status updates, a U.S. response plan, fact sheets, field identification guides, and additional response materials.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says it also plans to release simplified resources in the coming weeks to help producers better understand the USDA response playbook.

Producers are encouraged to review USDA materials and monitor livestock closely for suspicious wounds or signs of infestation.

June 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Expands Support For Farmers With New Resource Center As Trade Talks Continue

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Georgia agriculture leaders are continuing efforts to strengthen the state’s farming industry through new business resources and expanded market opportunities.

May 26, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Drought May Impact Chattooga County Hay Quality And Yields

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Chattooga County Extension officials say hay is finally being cut across much of the county, but recent drought conditions could have a noticeable impact on both yield and quality this season.

According to Chattooga County Extension, the dry weather may lead to lower hay yields, reduced nutritional value, and more weeds in local hay fields. Officials say that makes forage testing especially important for farmers and livestock owners who depend on hay for feed.

Extension officials say producers should not assume the quality of their forage without proper testing. Hay testing can help determine key values such as protein percentage, total digestible nutrients, and relative forage quality.

Those numbers can help livestock owners better understand whether their hay will meet nutritional needs or whether additional feed supplements may be necessary.

Farmers are encouraged to test hay as it is harvested and review the results carefully before relying on it through the season.

More information is available through the Chattooga County Extension Office.

May 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Asian Longhorned Tick Confirmed in Georgia and Alabama

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Agriculture and animal health officials in Georgia and Alabama are urging livestock owners, pet owners, and outdoor enthusiasts to be on alert after the Asian Longhorned Tick was confirmed in multiple counties across the region.