UGA Extension Pike County

10/13/2026

Today's weather is perfect for Joro reporting!

Our verifiers can’t be there when you find a Joro Spider 🕷—that's why clear pictures are essential!

✅ Clear images help us see body shape, details, and anatomical features needed to confirm the ID (or rule out lookalike species).
✅ Clear photos = verified reports
✅ Verified reports = contest entries

📸Every clear photo = better reports. Submit yours Oct 12-18 at jorowatch.org.

❗Stay safe! If you can't take a photo safely, wait and try again later.

10/09/2026

It’s that time of year again!🌱

The Pike County Extension office will hold their annual Fall Fruit Plant Sale in the coming weeks.

Call 770-567-2010 or email: [email protected] to pre-order these locally raised, high-quality plants that are sold at a low price! Orders are due November 13th to the office. You can also visit us in the office to order at 943 Sandefur Rd. Meansville, GA 30256.

This year, we will have:
Cross-Pollinators (require a cross-pollinator of a different variety to produce fruit)
- Blueberries (1 gallon plant)
Alice Blue (early)
Austin (after climax)
Centurion (late)
Climax (early)
Tifblue (mid/late)
- Apples (5 gallon plant)
Fuji (red)
Gala (red)
Granny Smith (green)
Red Delicious (red)
Yellow Delicious (yellow)
Self – Pollinators
- Raspberries (1 gallon plant)
Caroline (red)
Fall Gold (yellow)
- Muscadines (1 gallon plant)
Nesbitt(black)
Noble(black)
Tara(bronze)
- Mulberries (3 gallon plant)
Dwarf Everbearing
- Blackberries (1 gallon plant)
Arapaho (early)
Apache (mid/late)
Ouachita (mid)
Snowbank (late)
- Pomegranates (3 gallon plant)
Salavatski
Wonderful
- Figs (1 gallon plant)
Black Mission (black)
Brown Turkey (brown)
Celeste (purple)

All proceeds benefit the Pike County Extension program. This includes but is not limited to program supplies, materials, and equipment.
Order pick-up will be November 19th from 4 - 6pm.

10/07/2026

We have had some Joro reports in Pike County, so now is your time to enter them into Joro Watch!

Joro Watch is just 1 week away! 🕷️📸

From October 12-18, you can help scientists track the spread of the invasive Joro spider while competing in the 5th Annual Joro Spider Spotting & Photo Contest. Every verified report helps researchers better understand where Joro spiders are found and how their range is changing across the United States.

✅ Report sightings at JoroWatch.org, EDDMapS.org, or through the EDDMapS app
✅ Attach clear photos of the spider
✅ Compete for awards like County Champ, Super Spotter, and Golden Lens
✅ Help document new county records and expand our understanding of this invasive species

Whether you spot one in your backyard, at a local park, or while out exploring, your observation can make a difference.

⏳ Only 1 week to go! Start looking, charge your camera, and get ready to join thousands of community scientists in this year's Joro Watch.

🔗 Learn more and get contest details: JoroWatch.org

10/07/2026

Was your workflow clogged over lunch? Don't worry! You can catch the lunch and learn recording when it is convenient for YOU!

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agent in Pike County Br...

10/02/2026

Do you have questions about septic systems? Have you just moved into a new home and want to learn the ins and outs of a home well and septic? Not always a fun topic to discuss... but definitely an important one!

Join Pike County Extension in 2026 for the Lunch and Learn series that will dive into homesteading skills! These monthly sessions are covered by experts and hosted on the first Wednesday of each month (with the exception of holidays).

Simply email [email protected] or [email protected] to receive the Zoom Link. You can also catch the recordings on our YouTube Channel!

The October 7th webinar will cover the basics of septic systems and the session will run from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

Pike County Extension
[email protected]
[email protected]
770-567-2010

09/30/2026

It's Back!

The Pike County Extension Office will once again be participating in the 4-H Pecan Fundraiser, sold at $13.00 per pound bag.

To place your orders, Contact the Extension office by:
Phone: (770) 567-2010
Email: [email protected]
In Person: At the Extension Office at 943 Sandefur Road in Meansville, GA.

Orders are due by October 29th.

Help support your local 4-H Office by purchasing Georgia-grown shelled pecans! All proceeds will benefit Pike County Extension activities, programs, and continuing education

09/29/2026

Pike County 4-H Journey to Master Horseman Club

We’re excited to announce our Master Horseman Club designed for 7th–12th grade students. This club is a multi-year project designed to help youth work toward earning the prestigious master 4-H'er in Horse title!

The first club meeting will be October 7th at 6:00pm, located at the Pike County Extension Office.

Program Details:
- Cost: $80 registration fee
- Must own or lease a horse for the project
- 8 Monthly Meetings
- Limited to 10 participants – first come, first serve sign-up

This is a great opportunity for students to gain experience in riding proficiency, volunteering for equestrian events, expanding general horse knowledge, and leadership and community engagement.

Call 770-567-2010 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for registration details.

09/18/2026

A typical septic tank can only hold 1,000 to 1,500 gallons of water. Anything more than that might result in contaminated water coming to the surface.

To cut down on your usage:

✅ Regularly check for leaks in your faucets, toilets and appliances.
✅ Add in low flow faucets and showerheads.
✅ Look for appliances with that ENERGY STAR or WaterSense ratings.
✅ Space out doing laundry.
✅ Monitor for increased rain.

For more information, contact your local county Extension agent at 770-567-2010

09/17/2026

💧 If you want to keep your septic system healthy, don’t overload the commode.

Totally fine:
✅ Human waste (three P’s: p*e, poo and (toilet) paper)
✅ Toilet paper

Things to avoid:
❌ Excess cooking grease or oil
❌ Coffee grounds
❌ Large volumes of cleaners like bleach that adversely affect the bacteria breaking down waste in your septic system.
❌ Non-degradable products, including feminine hygiene products, dental floss, diapers, cat litter, etc.

For more information, contact your local county Extension agent at 770-567-2010

09/16/2026

What can and can’t go into a septic system? Great question!

Today, Stephanie Butcher and Gary Hawkins of the UGA Extension water team review some of the most common do’s and don’ts when it comes to flushing or washing something down the drain:

Common things to avoid:
❌ Excess cooking grease or oil
❌ Coffee grounds
❌ Large volumes of cleaners like bleach that adversely affect the bacteria breaking down waste in your septic system.

For more information, contact your local county Extension agent at 770-567-2010