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When the University of Georgia Bulldogs step between the hedges at Sanford Stadium, the grass on Dooley Field needs to look perfect. More importantly, it needs to help safeguard the health of athletes who compete on it. Gerald Henry plays a big role in the latter. The UGA Athletic Association’s endowed professor in environmental turfgrass leads a research team committed to creating sports fields that look good and perform well to limit the occurrence of injuries.

Each year, more than 1.3 billion tons of edible food is lost or wasted across the global supply chain — much after harvest but before it ever reaches a plate. Now, researchers at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and partners across North America are working to help reduce that loss in one of the most challenging agricultural environments in the world: the United Arab Emirates. Through the new international collaboration, U.S.-based postharvest specialists partnered with agricultural leaders in Abu Dhabi to strengthen local food systems, improve crop handling and storage, and train the next generation of Extension professionals — all with the goal to keep more food fresher, longer.

The University of Georgia’s Rural Engagement Workshop for Academic Faculty has awarded a series of seed grants to help faculty address challenges in rural Georgia ranging from veterinary practices to telehealth clinics and early childhood care. The 2025 seed grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 and will support faculty from a wide array of disciplines as they engage with rural Georgians on issues that are critical for their communities.

Ten weeks into his tenure as associate dean for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Michael Toews’ focus has remained steadfast: UGA Extension is about people and trust. Toews is kicking off his new role with a listening tour across the state as he expands his vision for UGA Extension with an emphasis on serving Georgia’s diverse population — both urban and rural.

The University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, in collaboration with the North Dakota-based Grand Farm, broke ground earlier this month on the UGA Grand Farm in Perry, Georgia. The 250-acre site will be a hub for agricultural innovation projects, demonstrating new technologies and automation focused on specialty crops from Georgia and the Southeast. The first projects are set to go live this year.

For the 20th consecutive year, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences hosted the prestigious E. Broadus Browne Research Awards competition, resulting in three new graduate students being honored for their outstanding efforts in research and communication. In recognition of former Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station Director Edmund Broadus Browne, the annual competition highlights some of the best graduate research from departments within the college and challenges contestants with an oral presentation. 

As the academic year winds down, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is preparing for its spring 2025 convocation, to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the Classic Center in Athens. “Convocation presents a unique opportunity for students to reflect on all they have achieved during their college careers,” said CAES Dean and Director Nick Place.

A visionary leader in agricultural education and research and a stalwart agricultural industry supporter and business leader were inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame on March 21 at the 69th University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Alumni Association Awards and Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame Ceremony. The 2025 honorees are David Bridges, a former assistant dean for CAES at UGA’s Tifton campus, and Ralph Evans, a leader of industry whose family has been serving the agricultural community since 1922.

The National Academy of Inventors has selected eight University of Georgia researchers as 2025 NAI Senior Members, surpassing its own record of five inductees set last year. UGA now has 24 Senior Members overall. “We are thrilled to celebrate these latest UGA elections to the country’s leading organization for groundbreaking inventors and innovators,” said Chris King, interim vice president for research. “Their dedication to translating research into tangible impact embodies the university’s land-grant mission and our commitment to serving society through innovation.”