UGA Extension Office

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Pollinator Garden, White County 2017
4-H-kids-can-grill-2022White County 4-H'ers learn to grill chicken and corn

What is UGA Extension?

A partnership of the University of Georgia, the U. S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. UGA Extension is on the forefront of food safety, technology, research, and education; keeping Georgia’s economy strong and making life better for Georgians. 

UGA Extension White County links the resources of the University of Georgia  and White County to provide educational programs, information, and assistance to citizens. UGA Extension White County helps its citizens by addressing the following initiatives:

  • 4-H Youth Development and Leadership Program
  • Agriculture Programming and Research Opportunities
  • Water Quality
  • Family and Economic Well-Being
  • Conservation and Management of Natural Resources
  • Community Service Learning / Citizenship
  • Improving Nutrition, Diet and Health

Our Mission

Our mission is to extend lifelong learning from the University of Georgia to the everyday lives of Georgians through current, research-based education in agriculture, youth and families,  the environment, and communities.


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Upcoming Events

  • May 7 All About Zoysia Zoysia is a wonderful lawn grass that grows well here in our Georgia soils. In this informative class, learn how to care for your zoysia grass including site needs, maintenance requirements, and disease and insect management.
    • Virtual Event
  • May 7 2024 Alfalfa in the South Workshop and Field Day A one day field day/workshop focused on in-depth discussion focused on the utilization of Alfalfa in Southern environments. Led by Dr. Jennifer Tucker (UGA) and Dr. Kim Mullenix (AU) this multi-state collaborative event will have a heavy focus on producer discussion and interaction with a producer panel with three Georgia producers at varying levels of experiences and a variety of application of alfalfa use within their systems. Also the event will highlight tours of the Better Grazing Program with active grazing of varied rotation intervals of a 4 year old stand of alfalfa-bermudagrass in real-time, discussions on-site of research results from the past 8 years, practical uses of alfalfa in southern systems, and more!
    • TIFTON, GA - (218.0 Miles)
  • May 8 Lunch and Learn: Beef Cuts Join Pike County Extension in 2024 dive into Homestead Skills with monthly, virtual Lunch and Learns hosted on the second Wednesday of each month (with the exception of holidays). Each month will discover a new topic with experts leading the way. Simply email Brooklyne.Wassel@uga.edu to receive the Zoom link or catch the recordings on our YouTube channel. "Beef Cuts" will be led by UGA Extension Agent Hailey Partain.
    • Virtual Event

Testing Services

Soil Testing

If you have questions about your lawn, garden, trees, etc. we always suggest starting with a soil test.

It is not necessary to come by and pick up the bags first. You may bring your dry sample into our office in plastic bags, or even in a bucket;  we will transfer it over to our UGA soil bags. Make sure you bring enough: about 2 cups.

The cost per sample is $10.00 (cash or check) and the results are either emailed or mailed. We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00; we do close from 12:00-1:00 for lunch.

For more about how determine your sampling area, etc., check here

Water Testing

Public and municipal water supplies are routinely tested and must meet standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Therefore, these sources usually do not need to be tested unless inhouse contamination is suspected. However, only YOU are responsible for the safety of your well water.

When you pour yourself a glass of water to drink, it may appear clean, taste good, and you may expect it to be safe. However, many sources of water we assume are safe may contain dissolved minerals, organic compounds or even live organisms at harmful concentrations. Contaminated water used for drinking and cooking may affect your health. This concern merits a bacterial test:

  • Total Coliform / E. coli (Colilert®) - $36.00 (test), $10 (overnight UPS label)
    This test requires the sample be collected and shipped in a special bottle. Come by our office to get your kit, which includes bottle, instructions, and box. Follow the instructions to pull your sample, enclose a check for $36 inside the box. Come by our office and purchase an overnight UPS shipping label for $10 and ship to the lab. Sampling must be done on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, and must be received at the lab in Athens WITHIN 24 HOURS of sampling.

 


Soil sample bags

-High concentrations of certain minerals in your water can result in quality issues such as unpleasant taste and odors or staining of bathroom fixtures and/or laundry. For this you'll need a more basic test:
  • Basic Water Test (Minimum Sample Amt.: 4 oz.) - $25.00

For this test, you can bring your 4-oz. sample to our office in a clean container; we'll handle the shipping. Included in this test are pH and Hardness, Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Phosphorus (P), Boron (B), Magnesium (Mg), Silica (SiO2), Potassium (K), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), and Zinc (Zn).

Water samples should be collected from the kitchen faucet or from the faucet used most often for drinking.

Samples will be sent to a laboratory at UGA and results will be available in 7-10 business days.

Other extensive testing is available, including the Home Loan Closing Test (see details below:)

  • Home Loan Closing Test (W33B) - $85.00 (+ $10 overnight shipping label when applicable). Comprised of four tests* commonly required for home closings. Ask your lending agency for specific details about what is needed in your situation. Normal turnaround time is 5-10 business days; RUSH shipping may be available. Call us for more information