University of Georgia dedicates former USDA research farm (2014)

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences recently opened its newest research and education center, once operated by the USDA.

24663294-bg1.jpg

The University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences recently opened its newest research and education center.

Formerly a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) research station, the 1,055 acre-farm and laboratory complex was formally transferred to the university to help expand its research, education, and outreach programs.

In 2011, as the USDA was moving to close similar sites across the nation, Congress approved a provision specifying that 10 land-grant universities could take ownership of such facilities provided they agreed to utilize the property for agricultural research for a minimum of 25 years.

UGA is the first university in the nation to complete the transfer process and take over the management of a former USDA facility.

“Today is important in the sense that it is going to allow the University of Georgia faculty to now to expand and continue their research at this particular facility,” said UGA President Jere Morehead.

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black praised the transfer, saying it helps keep the state’s flagship college of agriculture continuing its mission to improve Georgia farming.

Congressman Jack Kingston said the addition reinforces the state’s long heritage of agriculture research.

“So we have to have Ag research that shows us how to get more production per acre than ever before,” said Kingston.

Many UGA College of Agriculture experiments are ongoing in the facility.

This report is from our partners at the Georgia Farm Monitor.

Related Stories
ARC/PLC, marketing loans, and crop insurance each matter at different points in the price cycle — and the new Farm Bill strengthens the balance among them.
Here is a regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture for the week of Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.
Verified U.S. data show real leather’s carbon footprint is lower than advertised — an edge for the American cattle industry in both marketing and byproduct value.
Stagger buys and diversifies fertilizer sources — watch CBAM, India’s tenders, and Brazil’s import pace to time urea, phosphate, and potash purchases.
Pork producers should prioritize health and productivity gains, hedge feed and hogs selectively, and watch Brazil’s export pace and China’s sow policy for price signals.
For tight margins, contract grazing leverages existing acres into new income streams and spreads risk. Here are some tips for row crop farmers looking to diversify.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer shares insight into what these new accounts, established in provisions of the Big, Beautiful Bill, could mean for the farm families.
AFBF Economist Danny Munch shares how passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act could give the dairy industry a needed boost.
It started as a simple service project for 4-H — collect some shoes, help a few people. But for Franklin Parish High School senior Eli Rogers, it has turned into something much bigger.