Cultivating Curiosity

Grillmaster ready: The art and science of great barbecue

Ever daydream of being the envy of the neighborhood with a phenomenal, fall-off-the-bone rack of ribs that people can't get enough of? Ahead of what many people consider the beginning of grilling season, we’re joined by Alex Stelzleni [https://animaldairy.uga.edu/people/faculty/alexander-stelzleni.html], professor and director of graduate studies for the University of Georgia Department of Animal and Dairy Science [https://animaldairy.uga.edu/]. In this short interview, Stelzleni provides quick, expert tips that will help you feel more confident when choosing the right cuts of meat, selecting the best method of seasoning, and preparing to step up to the grill or smoker. If you enjoy cooking outdoors, this episode from the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences [http://caes.uga.edu] will help you look like a pro next time you turn up the heat. Resources: * UGA Meat Science Technology Center Store [https://site.caes.uga.edu/adsmeatstore] * Grill & Chill: Unleash Flavor Safely with Outdoor Cooking and Grilling [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1309/food-safety-for-outdoor-cooking-and-grilling/] Content from CAES: * Serving up the facts: Food science and safety [https://cultivatingcuriosity.caes.uga.edu/1984244/episodes/11049482-serving-up-the-facts-food-science-and-safety] Get social with us! Follow CAES on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UGACAES/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/UGA_CollegeofAg], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/uga_collegeofag/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/uga-college-of-agricultural-and-environmental-sciences/] and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UGAExtension/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/UGAExtension], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ugaextension/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ugaextension/] for the latest updates.

Ready, set, grow: Quick expert tips to get your garden ready

Spring has a way of showing up all at once, and suddenly, the garden is calling. Whether you’re planting a backyard garden or a few containers on a patio, this episode of Cultivating Curiosity will help you start the season with confidence. We’re joined by Heather Kirk-Ballard [https://hort.caes.uga.edu/people/faculty/heather-kirk-ballard.html], assistant professor in the University of Georgia Department of Horticulture [https://hort.caes.uga.edu/] and UGA Cooperative Extension [https://extension.uga.edu/] specialist in sustainable urban landscapes, for a quick Q&A packed with practical tips to help you get growing. From what to do the moment you step outside to prepping your soil, choosing the right plants, watering wisely and staying ahead of weeds and pests, Kirk-Ballard shares simple, research-backed guidance you can put to work right away. Resources: * Composting Basics and Considerations for Growers and Landscapers [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1365-01/composting-basics-and-considerations/] * AESL soil testing [https://aesl.ces.uga.edu/soil.html] * UGA Extension Vegetable Planting Chart  [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/vegetable-planting-chart-for-Georgia-C963-UGA-extension.pdf] * Georgia Pest Management Handbook - Home and Garden edition [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/SB48/georgia-pest-management-handbook-home-and-garden-edition/] Content from CAES: * Starting your spring vegetable garden from seed [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/features/vegetable-garden-seed-starting/] * Starting a garden from scratch [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/features/starting-a-garden-from-scratch/] * Your ultimate guide to healthy garden soil [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/features/guide-to-healthy-garden-soil/] Get social with us! Follow CAES on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UGACAES/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/UGA_CollegeofAg], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/uga_collegeofag/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/uga-college-of-agricultural-and-environmental-sciences/] and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UGAExtension/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/UGAExtension], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ugaextension/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ugaextension/] for the latest updates.

More bloom for your buck: How to get the most out of your cut flowers

Choosing the right flowers and knowing how to care for them can make the difference between a bouquet that fades fast and one that lasts. In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, Julie Campbell [https://hort.caes.uga.edu/people/faculty/julie-campbell.html], an assistant professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences [https://www.caes.uga.edu/], shares practical, research-based advice on selecting long-lasting varieties, caring for bouquets at home and extending their usefulness beyond the vase. From budget-friendly flowers to simple techniques for drying, pressing and repurposing blooms, Campbell offers approachable tips that help flowers go further. She also discusses her recent research on how buying and receiving flowers can boost well-being and reduce stress, offering scientific backing for something many of us have experienced. Whether you’re building a bouquet for a special occasion or buying flowers just because, this episode may convince you that you should absolutely buy yourself flowers. Content from CAES: * Buying flowers may boost well-being, reduce stress [https://news.uga.edu/flowers-boost-well-being/] * Petal pushers: UGA researchers give insight into the minds (and carts) of American flower buyers [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/news/cut-flower-study-campbell/] * UGA study finds that age plays a major role in flower purchases [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/news/uga-study-finds-that-age-plays-a-major-role-in-flower-purchases/] * UGA horticulture course teaches fundamentals of floral design [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/features/floral-design-and-management/] Get social with us! Follow CAES on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UGACAES/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/UGA_CollegeofAg], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/uga_collegeofag/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/uga-college-of-agricultural-and-environmental-sciences/] and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UGAExtension/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/UGAExtension], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ugaextension/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ugaextension/] for the latest updates.

The invisible risk: Why radon deserves your attention

Radon doesn’t smell. You can’t see it. And most people don’t realize it’s in their home until someone tells them to look. January is National Radon Action Month. In this episode of Cultivating Curiosity, Rebecca Cantrell [https://www.caes.uga.edu/about/personnel/person.html/24421/rebecca-cantrell.html], radon educator for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension [https://extension.uga.edu/] in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences [https://www.fcs.uga.edu/], discusses why this invisible gas is a serious and often overlooked public health issue. Cantrell explains what radon is, why it’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and why no home in Georgia is exempt from risk. She walks listeners through:  * How often to test * How Extension helps residents make sense of their results * What to do if results come back elevated * How education around radon empowers residents to keep their homes and families safe Learn more about how to protect your family from the health effects of radon at radon.uga.edu [https://radon.uga.edu/]. Resources: * UGA Radon website [https://radon.uga.edu/] * Radon gas and water testing and mitigation resources [https://radon.uga.edu/testing-and-mitigation/] * Find your local UGA Cooperative Extension office [https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices.html] Get social with us! Follow CAES on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UGACAES/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/UGA_CollegeofAg], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/uga_collegeofag/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/uga-college-of-agricultural-and-environmental-sciences/] and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UGAExtension/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/UGAExtension], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ugaextension/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ugaextension/] for the latest updates.

From meal prep to leftovers: Expert food safety tips for your Thanksgiving dinner

As the holidays approach and kitchens heat up, food safety becomes just as important as the meal itself. In this short episode, we revisit timeless advice from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension [https://extension.uga.edu/] food safety specialist Carla Schwan [https://www.caes.uga.edu/about/personnel/person.html/22899/carla-luisa-schwan.html], an assistant professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences [https://www.fcs.uga.edu/], and Manpreet Singh [https://foodscience.caes.uga.edu/people/faculty/manpreet-singh.html], professor and former head of the Department of Food Science and Technology [https://foodscience.caes.uga.edu/], now serving as an associate dean in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences [https://www.caes.uga.edu/]. Together, they share practical tips to help you cook, serve and store food safely this season. From properly thawing your turkey to knowing when to finally pack up the leftovers, this episode will help you host with confidence and keep your guests healthy. Resources: * Food Safety Tips for Preparing a Holiday Turkey [https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/c1226/food-safety-tips-for-preparing-a-holiday-turkey-2/] (UGA Cooperative Extension Publication) * FDA major food allergens [https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/food-allergies] * Find your county UGA Cooperative Extension office [https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices.html] Content from CAES: * Healthy holidays: Food safety tips for gifts and gatherings [https://cultivatingcuriosity.caes.uga.edu/1984244/episodes/14108274-healthy-holidays-food-safety-tips-for-gifts-and-gatherings] * Serving up the facts: Food science and safety [https://cultivatingcuriosity.caes.uga.edu/1984244/episodes/11049482-serving-up-the-facts-food-science-and-safety] ---- Produced by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera Edited by Jordan Powers and Emily Cabrera Music and sound effects by Mason McClintock [https://www.instagram.com/masonjmcclintock/], an Athens-based singer, songwriter and storyteller. Listen to his music on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/37dot4kfv3F4ohXWSpcuiW].  Get social with us! Follow CAES on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UGACAES/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/UGA_CollegeofAg], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/uga_collegeofag/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/uga-college-of-agricultural-and-environmental-sciences/] and check out UGA Extension on on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UGAExtension/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/UGAExtension], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ugaextension/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ugaextension/] for the latest updates.