UGA Extension Leads Southeast Georgia Citrus Workshop on Greening Disease

Aubrey Shirley, the University of Georgia Tattnall County Extension coordinator, hosted the Southeast Georgia Citrus Workshop on July 28 at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons. Specialists from the University of Georgia and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences presented on citrus disease, pest management and other factors affecting the region’s citrus industry.

The workshop highlighted citrus greening disease as the primary threat to the young industry, with Shirley warning that severe greening could stall further growth. Participants also discussed marketing challenges after an expected bumper season, exploring options such as larger school contracts, cooperative sales, and outreach to government entities to expand market access for growers in Toombs County and neighboring Appling, Wayne, Pierce and Bulloch counties.