New World Screw Worm: What Georgia Livestock Producers Need to Know
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
Release Date: 07/01/2026
New World Screw Worm: What Georgia Livestock Producers Need to Know
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
Georgia State Veterinarian Dr. Jane Marie Hennebelle joins the podcast to break down New World screw worm — a parasitic fly that was eradicated from the U.S. in 1966 but remains a serious threat to livestock and animal health today. Dr. Hennebelle explains how the fly's maggots feed on live tissue in open wounds, why early detection is critical, and what an incursion could mean for Georgia's livestock industry, from quarantine zones and interstate movement restrictions to international trade impacts. She also covers the signs producers should watch for, how quickly the fly can spread, and...
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A Passion for the Pipeline: Kaitlyn Marchant on Ag Education, FFA, Farm Bureau, and Georgia's Ag Future
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
What does it take to grow the next generation of Georgia agriculturists — and how early do you need to start? In this episode, John sits down with Kaitlyn Marchant, Agricultural Programs Manager for the Georgia Department of Education and the first woman to hold the position, at her office in Watkinsville. Marchant shares her journey from a South Georgia cattle farm to 12 years in the classroom to overseeing ag education statewide — and what that experience taught her about building programs that work for every student, from rural Oglethorpe County to Atlanta Public Schools. They dig...
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No Rain, No Margin: A Georgia Farmer's Fight Against Historic Drought
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
Fifth-generation Morgan County farmer, Lee Nunn joins host John Holcomb for an honest conversation about what it means to farm through one of the driest springs in recent memory. With 25 years of experience growing cotton, corn, soybeans, and wheat, Lee breaks down how the ongoing drought is threatening his wheat harvest, stalling cotton bed preparation, and leaving a month-old corn crop desperately short on moisture. He explains the compounding pressure of record-high input costs — fuel, fertilizer, equipment parts — against commodity prices that leave almost no room for error. Lee also...
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Behind the Bureau: The People Powering Georgia Farm Bureau
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
What really happens behind the scenes at Georgia Farm Bureau? In this special “Behind the Bureau” episode, District Federation Managers Kari Creamer and Rebecca Jacobs share an inside look at the roles, relationships, and responsibilities that keep the organization running at the grassroots level. From supporting county offices and developing future leaders to navigating the unique challenges of rural and metro communities, they explain how their work helps strengthen agriculture across the state. It’s a candid conversation about servant leadership, advocacy, and the passion driving the...
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Farm Bankruptcies on the Rise: What It Means for Agriculture in 2026
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
As financial pressure builds across agriculture, farm bankruptcies are once again trending upward—and the outlook for 2026 remains uncertain. In this episode, University of Georgia economist Will Secor breaks down what’s driving the increase, from declining crop prices and high input costs to rising debt and interest rates. He explains why the Southeast may be especially vulnerable, how Chapter 12 bankruptcy works as a tool for farmers, and why these filings are often a lagging indicator of deeper financial stress. It’s a candid, data-driven conversation that also highlights the human...
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Cotton Jassid: The Invasive Pest Threatening Georgia’s Yields
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
A new invasive pest is raising concerns across Georgia’s cotton industry, and researchers are working quickly to understand its impact. In this episode, Dr. Phillip Roberts with the University of Georgia breaks down what the cotton jassid is, how it spreads, and why it poses such a serious threat to yield. He explains how the insect damages plants, what was learned during its first season in the state, and how growers can prepare for 2026. From scouting strategies to management decisions, this conversation provides practical insight to help farmers stay ahead of this rapidly evolving...
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Ranger Nick: Inspiring Curiosity, Teaching with Animals, and Reconnecting People to Nature
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
On this episode of the Growing On Podcast, host John Holcomb sits down with Dr. Nick Fuhrman—better known to many viewers as “Ranger Nick.” A longtime contributor to The Farm Monitor and Associate Dean at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Nick shares the story behind his passion for teaching, wildlife, and inspiring others to connect with the natural world. From growing up in Maryland with aquariums full of turtles and snakes to becoming a professor who brings live animals into the classroom, Nick’s career has always centered on education...
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Dry Fields, Rising Risks: Understanding Georgia’s Expanding Drought
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
Every county in Georgia is now experiencing some level of drought — and for farmers, the timing couldn’t be more critical. In this episode, recorded in Watkinsville, Georgia, agricultural climatologist Pam Knox with the University of Georgia breaks down what’s driving the state’s widespread dry conditions and what it could mean for the upcoming growing season. From the role of La Niña in shaping Georgia’s winter weather to the lack of tropical systems that typically supply 30–40% of the state’s summer rainfall, Knox explains how months of below-average precipitation have left...
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Young, Invested, and All In: A Conversation with Farm Bureau Leader Cleve Jackson
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
What does it take to step into agriculture as the next generation — and stay there? With the average American farmer nearing retirement age, the future of agriculture depends on young producers willing to take risks and lead. Cleve Jackson discusses his agricultural roots, his leadership journey through Farm Bureau, and the responsibility of growing a farm — and an industry — for the next generation. Hear why connection matters, why involvement is essential, and how saying “yes” can change both a career and a community.
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A Family Tradition: Minter's Tree Farm
Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast
In this special bonus episode of Growing On, host John Holcomb visits Minter’s Tree Farm, a five-generation family operation rooted in the unincorporated community of Inman, Georgia. For more than 30 years, Rick Minter has carried on a Christmas tree–growing legacy that began when his grandfather purchased the farm in 1936. Rick shares the remarkable history behind the farm—from its origins in Depression-era cotton and vegetable farming to its evolution into one of the last remaining choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms along Highway 92. Listeners will hear how the farm has navigated the...
info_outlineGeorgia State Veterinarian Dr. Jane Marie Hennebelle joins the podcast to break down New World screw worm — a parasitic fly that was eradicated from the U.S. in 1966 but remains a serious threat to livestock and animal health today. Dr. Hennebelle explains how the fly's maggots feed on live tissue in open wounds, why early detection is critical, and what an incursion could mean for Georgia's livestock industry, from quarantine zones and interstate movement restrictions to international trade impacts. She also covers the signs producers should watch for, how quickly the fly can spread, and the preventative steps — like maintaining a solid fly control program — that can help protect herds and farm dogs alike.
Note: This interview was recorded in June 2025, prior to the detection of New World screw worm in Texas.