2009 Green Up - Landscaper Update Workshop

2009 Green Up landscape update and trade show planned for Feb. 24 in Perry, GA.

Who could benefit from attending Green Up?

Landscapers and turf managers.
Golf course superintendants.
Grounds maintenance workers and managers.
Others that maintain landscapes and turf.

Why should I attend?

Up-to-date training from university & industry speakers.
Four educational tracks – turf, color & design, landscapes and water issues.
Pesticide applicator re-certification credits in Georgia category 24 & private.
Trade show and interaction with others in the industry.

How can I attend?

The early registration fee is only $35 increasing to $45 after Feb. 10.
See a schedule and registration information at http://tinyurl.com/houstonanr.
For more information contact the Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA) at (706) 632-0100 or Green Up organizer Willie Chance, Houston County Extension Agent - (478) 987-2028 or wchance@uga.edu.

Household Water Quality Information

If you are having issues with your well water or municipal water supply, check out these publications. They may help you identify your problems.

You can also bring samples of water to us for testing. We have guidlines for bringing in water for testing, and there are fees associated with water testing. Please call the office for more info or keep posted to our website for information on the fees.


1 Protecting your Well and Well Head (HACE 858-1)http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/Wellhead.pdf

2 Testing for Water Quality (HACE 858-2) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/TestingWaterQuality.pdf

3 Home Water Quality and Treatment (HACE 858-3) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/HomeWater.pdf

4 Shock Chlorination (HACE 858-4) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/ShockChlorination.pdf

5 Nitrate in Water (HACE 858-5) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/Nitrate.pdf

6 Pesticides (HACE 858-6) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/Pesticides.pdf

7 Coliform Bacteria in Your Water (HACE 858-7) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/Coliform.pdf

8 Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfate (HACE 858-8) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/HydrogenSulfide.pdf

9 Corrosion or Scaling Water (HACE 858-9) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/Corrosion.pdf

10Lead and Copper (HACE 858-10) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/LeadCopper.pdf

11Iron and Manganese (HACE 858-11) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/IronManganese.pdf

12Arsenic in Your Water (HACE 858-12) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/Arsenic.pdf

13Mercury in Your Water (HACE 858-13) http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/publications/watercirc/Mercury.pdf

Pork Quality Assurance Training - PQA+ and the TQA Training

What: Pork Quality Assurance Training - PQA+ and the TQA Training
When: January 9, 2009
Where: Tifton Conference Center - Tifton, Georgia - Rooms 4 & 5
Audience: Commercial Pork Producers or Facility Managers

Dr. Robert Dove will be teaching the classes.
10:00-12:00- PQA +
1:30-4:30 TQA
There is no charge for the classes.
If you need further information, please contact Ken Lewis with UGA Cooperative Extension at 229-386-3812


The PQA+ and the TQA training being discussed are for the producers in the state. Producers need both of these certificates to be able to sell their animals to major packers. In the past County Agents were able to do the PQA training, however when PQA+ was introduced, agents and teachers were no longer included in the group of potential instructors. The PQA certificates were grandfathered until they expired. Many of them will expire in the next year and state faculty will have to conduct trainings to educate the producers.
Currently, there are 2 people in the state that can give PQA+ training (Dr. Robert Dove and Dr. David Reeves) and Robert is the only one trained to give the TQA training. Most (if not all) major packer that we are currently hauling to are requiring the PQA+ and most will require TQA by the end of 2009.

Recalls of Cocoa Products (December 19)

Thanks to Elizabeth Andress -

Three holiday G and J Gourmet Market Cocoa Products are being recalled, and this recall includes distribution nationwide to Big Lots stores and Shopko. The concern is possible melamine content. No injuries have been reported and only a few samples have, in fact, been found to include melamine. However, the manufacturer is proceeding with this recall in the interest of public health and the safety of American consumers.

Here is the FDA press release. http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/dorsey12_08.htmlI have no further information myself; consumers are being urged to return the products to the place of purchase for a refund. There is a toll-free contact from the manufacturer provided in the FDA press release.

Elizabeth Andress
Professor and Extension Food Safety Specialist
Director, National Center for Home Food Preservation
Department of Foods and Nutrition
The University of Georgia

Georgia Master Gardeners Winter Conference: Winter on the Flint

Winter on the Flint: The Quest for Sustainable Landscapes in a Changing World

Georgia Master Gardeners Winter Conference
Darton College in Albany, Georgia
February 6, 7 & 8, 2009

Speakers will include:

• Rick Darke, Author
• Jim Fowler, Naturalist
• Dr. Katherine Kirkland, Ph.D., M.S. Ecology
• Jason Powell, Owner of Petals from the Past
• Janisse Ray, Author, Naturalist, Activist
  
  Our GOLD sponsor is Wright Turf ~ www.wrightturf.com
  
  You can get more information and register for the conference at
  www.swgamastergardeners.com
  
  You can also contact
  Dougherty County Cooperative Extension Office
  125 Pine Ave., Suite 100, Albany, GA 31701
  (229) 436-7216 or uge4095@uga.edu
  Carla Heard (229) 734-5696
  Juby Phillips (229) 888-0864