Learning by Leading at the University of Georgia is a hands-on program developed for the botanical garden to increase leadership skills through a comprehensive experiential learning program. Students progress through a leadership ladder, gaining technical, human and conceptual skills while working alongside staff mentors at the State Botanical Garden. James Anderson of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication led a six-series leadership training for staff mentors during the 2018-19 academic year.

Farmers are tough. They work long days at physically demanding, often dangerous work and rarely get a break, much less a vacation. Months of hard work can be wiped out with a few days of bad weather, and they battle nature at every turn, from drought and floods to weeds and insects. Farmers and ranchers rank high on the list of most stressful professions and farmer suicide rates are higher than the overall population of workers.

Explore the heart of rural Georgia in this episode as we discuss the intersection of social work, agriculture and mental well-being with Anna Scheyett, professor in the CAES Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC) and former dean at the University of Georgia's School of Social Work. Anna shares how she is building more robust networks to dismantle mental health stigmas, advocate for farmers' health and mental well-being, and highlight the statewide work being done to promote resilience and build support in the communities that provide our food, fuel and fiber.

It is no secret that the success of Georgia’s No. 1 industry rests in the hands of one key group: farmers. But across generations of farmers who have passed down land and trades to their children, the pressure and stress that comes with carrying on the strong agricultural legacy continue to mount — so much so that it has reached crisis level.

Led by University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences faculty Julie Campbell and Jessica Holt, the Flowers and Photography study abroad program empowers students to see career opportunities beyond the classroom. “Our hope for this program is that students gain cultural experiences, practical skills and valuable knowledge that will help them better understand the value of horticulture to culture and society,” said Campbell.

Across Georgia, the fall school term is in full swing. While most conform to the traditional classroom setup — rows of desks, bulletin board and pencil sharpener — one classroom in particular looks quite different from the rest. The Georgia Ag Experience is a 36-foot mobile classroom that showcases Georgia agriculture on the road. Technology and digital learning enable students to take a deep dive into several Georgia agricultural commodities.