J. Phil Campbell Sr. Research and Education Center

Eric Elsner Superintendent

eelsner@uga.edu 706-542-7236

J. Phil Campbell Sr. Research and Education Center

1420 Experiment Station Road, Watkinsville, Georgia 30677

Our Work and Priorities

The center's staff maintains a herd of 200 Angus and Angus-based brood cows and currently supports research in many areas including forage production and utilization by beef cattle, alfalfa breeding and production, fescue breeding, clover breeding, corn production strategies, and cotton variety trials. The area's climate and soils are suited for most of the commodities grown in the southern piedmont region.

In addition to the center's main priority of CAES research, its proximity to campus makes an ideal location for teaching and extension functions as well. JPCREC houses the Oconee County Cooperative Extension office as well as the North Region Agricultural Education offices.

About us

Featured Research

Martian regolith and bedrock simulants

UGA Geology Ph.D. Student, Laura Fackrell, is first author on a publication summarizing the mineralogy of Mars surface materials and detailing the development of Mars soil and surface material simulants for agricultural studies. The photo shows one of the plants growing in her artifical light "green house" located at the UGA J. Phil Campbell Sr. Research and Education Center.

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

UGA’s new Fellows, who are elected each year by the AAAS Council to recognize scientific achievements, are Melissa Mitchum of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Thomas Mote, Robert Schmitz, Michael Terns and Zheng-Hua Ye of the Franklin College of Arts and Science.

CAES News

Five UGA faculty named 2024 AAAS Fellows 03/28/25 news.uga.edu

Five University of Georgia faculty have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, bringing the university’s total membership in the exclusive group to 50. UGA’s new Fellows, including Melissa Mitchum of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, are elected each year by the AAAS Council to recognize scientific achievements.

USDA Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins (center) joins Georgia agricultural leaders, producers and UGA CAES leadership at the college's Iron Horse Farm for a listening session on key industry challenges, including disaster relief, trade markets and the future of American farming. (Photo by Georgia Department of Agriculture)

CAES News

USDA Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visits CAES for farmer listening session 03/27/25

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins visited UGA’s Iron Horse Farm for a listening session with Georgia agricultural leaders. Producers and commodity representatives shared concerns on disaster relief, labor shortages, trade and the future of farming. They also highlighted the vital role of CAES researchers and UGA Cooperative Extension in boosting efficiency, yields, and food safety, strengthening Georgia’s agricultural economy.

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CAES Events

Join us April 22nd for the Tifton H.E.R.D. Sale!

Apr 22

12:30PM - 3:30PM Tifton H.E.R.D. Sale UGA Tifton Bull Evaluation Center, Chula, GA

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

Agricultural advancement for northeast Georgia