Commodity Teams

Five University of Georgia faculty and staff members are being honored for their commitment to public service and outreach. Phillip Brannen, professor and UGA Cooperative Extension specialist in the plant pathology department in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, has been named a Walter Barnard Hill Fellow for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach. Jacob Price, a senior public service associate and Lowndes County Extension coordinator, received the Walter Barnard Hill Award.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins visited UGA’s Iron Horse Farm for a listening session with Georgia agricultural leaders. Producers and commodity representatives shared concerns on disaster relief, labor shortages, trade and the future of farming. They also highlighted the vital role of CAES researchers and UGA Cooperative Extension in boosting efficiency, yields, and food safety, strengthening Georgia’s agricultural economy.

You’ve probably heard of the U.S. Farm Bill, but do you know what it is? While it may seem like it only affects farmers, this complex legislation impacts everyone — whether you buy groceries, care about conservation or rely on nutrition programs. Yet, despite its broad reach, it remains one of the most misunderstood laws in the country. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agricultural economist Amanda Smith, a faculty member in UGA’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, breaks down some of the most common questions about this complex but crucial bill.