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UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center
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Field Day - August 15, 2024
The Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center will hold its field day on Thursday, August 15 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Educational session will feature a variety of row crops. Pesticide credits will be available. RSVP to swgeorgia@uga.edu or contact Scott Rogers at (229) 591-5158.
Field Day Flyer (PDF) Agenda (PDF)
Scott Rogers
Scott Rogers Superintendent
Southwest Research and Education Center
swgeorgia@uga.edu 229-824-4375

Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center

108 Experiment Station Road, Plains, Georgia 31780

Contact us

Our Work and Priorities

The 512-acre Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center is located near Plains, Georgia. Established in 1951, the station’s purpose was to stimulate the rural economy by helping area farmers diversify and increase crop yields in the upper coastal plain region.

The facility has heavy red clay soil that is sometimes difficult soil to farm but can be highly productive when carefully managed. Research here is geared to the 240-day growing season and an average annual rainfall of 48 inches. Current research focuses on every major row crop in south Georgia: peanuts, cotton, corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, wheat and canola. The center now has some form of irrigation on at least 90% of the cropland to maintain crops during the area’s frequent droughts.

Six full-time employees maintain research for college and USDA researchers. The employees also partner with the nearby Sumter County Extension office.

About us


We investigate the latest production and technological practices, striving for producer profitability and sustainability.
Research and Education Centers (RECs) are hubs for innovation and discovery that address the most critical issues facing agricultural production throughout the state. Ultimately, our findings are shared with stakeholders through the extension and outreach efforts of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Agricultural Research Centers in Georgia Find your local county Extension Office

CAES News

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As the academic year winds down, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is preparing for its spring 2025 convocation, to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the Classic Center in Athens. “Convocation presents a unique opportunity for students to reflect on all they have achieved during their college careers,” said CAES Dean and Director Nick Place.
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CAES Events

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule is the first federally regulated standard for growing, harvesting, packing, and holding fresh produce in an effort to reduce microbial contamination and foodborne illness outbreaks. If you grow fruits or vegetables, attend a training for information about best practices, risk management, and regulatory requirements. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement.During this one-day workshop, trainers will spend approximately eight hours of instruction time covering content contained in the seven modules below.• Introduction to Produce Safety• Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training• Soil Amendments• Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use• Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)• Postharvest Handling and Sanitation• How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan Lunch will be provided! Email annie.carter1@uga.edu with any dietary restrictions and/or food allergens. We cannot make changes to the order the day of the event. Cancellation Policy For cancellations, please email efs@uga.edu.Cancellations made a week or less before the event will not be refunded. Cancellations made prior to a week before the workshop will be issued a full refund. All workshops and courses are subject to cancellation by Food Science and Technology Extension. In this case, full refunds will be issued to all who have paid registration fees. Neither The University of Georgia nor Food Science and Technology Extension are required to reimburse any expenses made by the attendee prior to cancellation except for the registration fee.
Apr 29
8:00AM - 5:00PM Produce Safety Alliance, Grower Training in Blue Ridge, GA Fannin County Family Connection, Blue Ridge
Top Hand Finals - Forsyth, GA
May 03
All Day Top Hand Contest - State Finals
Join us for the 25th Annual Calhoun H.E.R.D. Sale!
May 28
12:30PM - 3:00PM Calhoun H.E.R.D. Sale NW GA Livestock Pavilion, Calhoun
butterfly-trail-board-of-directors

Butterfly Trail Board of Directors

The Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail Board of Directors recently meet at the Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center in Plains, Georgia on Friday, July 23, 2021 to discuss the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail landscape project. Pictured front row: LeAnn Smith, Mrs. Rosalynn Carter; back row: Julia Snipes, Willie Maxwell, Ernest Koone, Lonnie Wise and Annette Wise.


rosalynn-carter-signing-book

Book signing with Rosalynn Carter

Grace Wooten with Ragan-Smith Associates, Inc of Chattanooga, Tennessee and 2016 UGA Landscape Architecture graduate (pictured right) receives a signed gardening book by Rosalynn Smith Carter. The new garden for the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail will be a 1930s era garden based on Mrs. Carter memories of her childhood garden.