#UGAExtension | AM 1180 Radio

May 26, 2026

Drought May Impact Chattooga County Hay Quality And Yields

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyExtension, #DroughtImpact, #FarmNews, #ForageTesting, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #HayQuality, #HaySeason, #LivestockFeed, #northwestgeorgia, #UGAExtension, #wzqznews 0

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 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Spots Still Available For Chattooga County Food Preservation Workshops

Community Calandar, Community Calendar, Local News, Local News Items #Canning, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityWorkshops, #CowboyCandy, #FoodPreservation, #JamsAndJellies, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PickledOkra, #SummervilleGeorgia, #UGAExtension, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga County Extension Agent Rebecca Thomas says there are still spots available for several upcoming food preservation workshops being offered through the Chattooga County Extension Office.

The hands-on classes will cover a variety of food preservation topics throughout the summer and early fall, including jams and jellies, canning tomatoes and salsa, cowboy candy, and pickled okra.

Each workshop costs $25 per class, and attendance is limited to 15 participants. Officials say payment is required to secure registration.

Upcoming workshop dates include:

Jams & Jellies — June 2 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Canning Tomatoes & Salsa — July 1 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Cowboy Candy — August 4 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Pickled Okra — September 24 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

All workshops will be held at the Chattooga County Extension Office located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville.

For registration information, call 706-857-0744.

May 5, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Extension Offering Summer Food Preservation Workshops

Community Calandar, Community Calendar, Local News, Local News Items #Canning, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityEvents, #CookingClasses, #CowboyCandy, #FarmToTable, #FoodPreservation, #FoodSkills, #GeorgiaExtension, #HomeCanning, #HomeSkills, #Homesteading, #JamsAndJellies, #LearnLocal, #LocalWorkshops, #northwestgeorgia, #PickledOkra, #Pickling, #PreserveYourFood, #SalsaMaking, #summervillega, #TomatoCanning, #UGAExtension, #wzqznews 0

Residents in Chattooga County will have the opportunity to learn hands-on food preservation skills this summer through a series of workshops hosted by the UGA Extension Office.

The classes, led by Chattooga County Extension Agent Rebecca Thomas, will cover a variety of popular home preservation techniques and recipes, including jams, jellies, canning, and pickling.

Workshops begin June 2 with a session on Jams & Jellies from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Additional classes include:

Canning Tomatoes & Salsa on July 1 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Cowboy Candy on August 4 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Pickled Okra on September 24 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Each class costs $25, and space is limited to 15 participants per session. Officials say payment is required to secure registration.

All workshops will be held at the Chattooga County Extension Office, located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville.

To register or for more information, call 706-857-0744.

May 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Free Fun Paddle Planned Saturday At Lyerly Dam

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaRiver, #CommunityEvent, #FreeFunPaddle, #Kayaking, #lyerlyga, #May92026, #northwestgeorgia, #OutdoorRecreation, #RiverLife, #Saturday, #summervillega, #UGAExtension, #wzqznews 0

A free community paddle event is planned for Saturday, May 9 at Lyerly Dam in Summerville.

The “Free Fun Paddle,” organized by the Chattooga River Group, will begin at 10 AM and take participants along the Blue Trail from the Lyerly Dam launch to Chattoogaville.

Participants will be joined by Shane Kornberg, a natural resources expert with UGA Extension, who will share information on river ecology, invasive versus native species, and the importance of maintaining a diverse ecosystem.

Those planning to attend are asked to bring their own kayak, paddle, life jacket, and snacks, and should be prepared to arrange transportation after the paddle. Organizers will also require a signed waiver before launch.

The event is open to the public

April 26, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

City Of Summerville Celebrates Arbor Day With Tree Planting At Dowdy Park

Local News, Local News Items #ArborDay, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyExtension, #CommunityEvent, #DowdyPark, #EnvironmentalAwareness, #GreenSpaces, #KeepSummervilleBeautiful, #KwanzanCherryTree, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #summervillega, #TreePlanting, #UGAExtension, #wzqznews 0

The City of Summerville marked Arbor Day on Friday with a ceremonial tree planting at Dowdy Park, highlighting the importance of trees and environmental stewardship in the community.

City leaders planted a Kwanzan flowering cherry tree as part of the celebration, adding both beauty and shade to the popular public space. The Chattooga County Extension Office, through UGA Extension, was also on hand to support the event by providing free literature on proper tree planting and care to attendees.

Arbor Day is observed annually across the United States as a time to encourage individuals and communities to plant and care for trees. The holiday dates back to 1872, when it was first celebrated in Nebraska as a way to promote tree planting on the largely treeless plains. Since then, Arbor Day has grown into a nationwide tradition, with communities recognizing the environmental, economic, and health benefits trees provide.

Trees play a vital role in improving air quality, reducing erosion, conserving water, and enhancing the overall quality of life in cities and towns. Events like Summerville’s Arbor Day celebration help raise awareness about those benefits while encouraging residents to take part in preserving and expanding green spaces.

April 21, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Extension Shares Tips On Beneficial Insects For Spring Gardens

Local News, Local News Items #BackyardGarden, #BeneficialInsects, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyExtension, #Gardening, #GardenPests, #GardenTips, #GoodBugs, #HomeGarden, #LocalAgriculture, #northwestgeorgia, #Pollinators, #SpringGardening, #UGAExtension, #VegetableGarden, #wzqznews 0

With spring gardening season now underway, Chattooga County Extension is reminding local gardeners that not every insect in the garden is a bad thing.

April 1, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Applications Open for 2026 Georgia Centennial Farm Program

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #ApplyNow, #CentennialFarm, #chattoogacounty, #FamilyFarms, #FarmHeritage, #FarmHistory, #FarmLife, #GADepartmentOfAgriculture, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaCentennialFarm, #GeorgiaFarms, #LocalFarms, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #UGAExtension, #wzqznews 0

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Georgia Centennial Farm Program, which honors farms that have been in the same family for 100 years or more.

March 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

UGA Beef Specialist Jason Duggin to Speak at Chattooga Young Farmers Meeting

Local News, Local News Items #AgCommunity, #AgEducation, #agriculture, #BeefCattle, #CattleFarming, #Cattlemen, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaYoungFarmers, #FarmLife, #GeorgiaFarming, #JasonDuggin, #Livestock, #LivestockEmergencyResponse, #LocalAg, #northwestgeorgia, #summervillega, #UGABeefTeam, #UGAExtension, #wzqznews 0

The Chattooga County Young Farmers will host a special meeting on Thursday, April 2 at 7:00 PM at the Chattooga County Ag Center, featuring guest speaker Jason Duggin of the University of Georgia Beef Team.

March 16, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Bull Breeding Soundness Exams Scheduled in Chattooga County

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #BeefCattle, #BreedingSoundness, #BullBreedingSoundnessExam, #CattleFarming, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyGA, #ChattoogaExtension, #ChattoogaYoungFarmers, #FarmCommunity, #HerdManagement, #LivestockHealth, #LocalAgriculture, #NorthGeorgia, #northwestgeorgia, #summervillega, #UGAExtension, #UGAExtensionChattooga, #wzqznews 0

Cattle producers in Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will have an opportunity to have herd bulls evaluated during upcoming Bull Breeding Soundness Exams scheduled for Saturday, March 21 at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center.

March 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

UGA Extension Offering Diabetes Cooking School Series In Chattooga County

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyExtension, #ChronicDiseaseManagement, #CommunityHealth, #CookingClass, #DiabetesAwareness, #DiabetesEducation, #DiabetesManagement, #HealthEducation, #HealthyCooking, #HealthyGeorgia, #HealthyLiving, #LocalEvents, #LunchAndLearn, #northwestgeorgia, #NutritionEducation, #PublicHealth, #summervillega, #UGAExtension, #wzqznews 0

The University of Georgia Extension – Chattooga County is inviting residents to participate in a “Learning to Live With Diabetes” Cooking School Series, designed to help individuals better manage diabetes and other chronic health conditions through healthier cooking and nutrition choices.

The 2026 Lunch and Learn Series will cover several topics including label reading and portion control, sweeteners, carbohydrates and fiber, hypertension and sodium, and modifying recipes for healthier alternatives. Classes will be held Wednesdays from noon until 1:30 p.m. beginning March 25 and continuing through April 22.

Each class costs $15 and includes lunch. Sessions will take place at the Chattooga County Extension Office, 40 Middle School Road in Summerville. To register, residents can call 706-857-0744 or email rbt@uga.edu.