Georgia corn growers need to mark their Corn Checkoff ballots and put them in the mail before the March 2 deadline. Only farmers vote on the program, which supports corn research, education and marketing efforts in Georgia. But the Corn Checkoff affects everyone in the state, not just farmers, said a University of Georgia scientist.

As students begin the second half of the school year, some may find themselves needing to raise lagging grades. University of Georgia specialists say developing good homework habits can be the key to a child's success in school. And parents can play an important role.

Without a single tree in your yard, you can still be blessed with massive numbers of leaves.

You search for the best apples, handle them with kid gloves and still throw out half when the hidden bruises show up a few days later. You'd need X-ray vision to pick only the perfect apples. That's exactly what University of Georgia researchers concluded. So they developed a new grading system to make sure the bad apples never reach supermarket shelves

It's not really about the cows, sheep, hogs, chickens and horses. Livestock judging teams are about critical thinking and communication skills, said a University of Georgia scientist.

Whether you're a beginning gardener or a seasoned veteran, growing herbs can be well worth the effort, says a University of Georgia horticulture professor. "Once you begin to flavor meats and soups with your own plants, all other cooking becomes bland," said Wayne McLaurin.

In the ongoing debate over how safe the U.S. food supply really is, a new study shows getting back to nature may not be the answer. Some experts believe organic foods may be riskier than conventionally grown foods because of potential contamination with E. coli, says a University of Georgia scientist.

A recent cut in crop insurance premiums may help keep many of Georgia's farmers in business. Plunging prices and rising costs have many farmers struggling to stay afloat. For many, that means buying little insurance, or none at all. And a University of Georgia scientist said that can be dangerous for the state's $6 billion farm industry. A sound crop insurance program can keep the United States from depending totally on other countries for food, said Don Shurley.

Before you even plant a new pecan tree, you may have already decided its success, says a University of Georgia scientist. The variety you select and where you plant it are the most critical choices homeowners can make when planting pecan trees, said Tom Crocker.