Fresh produce like the radishes pictured above are sold weekly at the Athens Farmers Market.

High tunnels are hitting the mark for farmers who sell their produce at the Athens Farmers Market. In the past, the market operated once a week on Saturday mornings between April and October. But now, because some northeast Georgia growers are using the tunnels to extend their growing seasons, the market is open twice a week, from April until mid-December—a full eight months! Read more »

Employees at the Stephens Federal Building in Athens, Georgia, celebrated the People’s Garden planted in April with an educational lunch session in the garden.

Deborah Callahan of USDA Rural Development and a recent graduate of Georgia’s Master Gardener program demonstrated composting and explained the function of red worms. Amanda Tedrow of Cooperative Extension Service answered questions about vegetable gardening. Kathy Peters A Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Earth Team volunteer was available to discuss plant propagation and distributing information on backyard conservation. Read more »

USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Janey Thornton smiles at Nancy Rice, Georgia Department of Education’s School Nutrition Division director, after speaking on Changing the School Nutrition Scene at Georgia’s annual School Nutrition Directors’ Conference on Sept. 30, 2010, in Athens, Ga. Approximately 200 school nutrition directors, coordinators, nutrition specialists, trainers and state staff gave her a standing ovation.

I just participated in a wonderful school nutrition conference in Athens, GA that ran from September 28-30.  It was Georgia’s annual School Nutrition Directors’ Conference, and I found it to be very well organized and packed with important information. Read more »

Submitted by Mark Gideon, USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing Specialist

USDA Rural Development State Director Tony Logan, more than 40 volunteers from local community organizations, and USDA Rural Development staff came together last month for a self-help housing volunteer work day to benefit three Southeastern Ohio families. The families will soon be moving into new homes they help build under the supervision of Three Rivers Housing Corporation of Athens, Ohio.  The project, located in The Plains, Ohio, was financed through the USDA Rural Development’s Self-Help Housing Program in a partnership with the Ohio Housing Finance Authority. Read more »