Ray Covington Superintendent
Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center

Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center

195 Georgia Mountain Experiment Station Rd., Blairsville, GA, 30512

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Our Work and Priorities

The Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center lies in the uppermost part of the state in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Established in 1930, the 415-acre station provides research support for agriculture specialists who in turn, provide support to farmers in the mountain region, giving them information applicable to the area with its own distinct soil and climatic conditions. The campus resides in USDA Zone 7A, having a shorter 180-day growing season with an average rainfall of 57 inches.

Current research focuses on commodities including apples, grapes, blueberries, field corn, sweet corn, soybeans, fescue, clover, orchard grass, alfalfa, ryegrass, tomatoes, various ornamentals and beef cattle. The climate is perfect for evaluating cold hardiness for new cultivars that include Alfalfa, Crape Myrtle, Vitex, Abelia, Bermuda, Centipede and Zoysia turf grasses. Additionally, UGA graduate students often conduct their own research at the center. To learn more, check out the Virtual Field Day where you will here from scientists and the work they do here at GMREC.

Most of the campus is closed to visitors except during designated tours but there are gardens the public can visit. Visitors can check in at the office and then tour the ethno-botanical gardens. Georgia Mountain REC serves several school groups annually with the help of the Community Council. This group also promotes educational seminars and maintains a public garden on the campus.

If you need assistance with landscape and/or farming decisions, contact your local county agent. Here in Union County it is Jacob Williams, located at the Civic Center. Union County Extension Office

About us


 

Announcements!

Seminars and Programs link- click here to see a list of all the programs scheduled this season

The August 30th GMREC Farm Tour is Full.

 

 

 


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.
Grapes grow under protective netting at Stonewall Creek Vineyards in Tiger, Georgia, a host of CAES' Winegrowers of Georgia Internship. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
UGA Extension welcomes new viticulture specialist
Georgia’s steadily growing wine industry has a new advocate with the hire of a new University of Georgia Cooperative Extension viticulture specialist to support the more than 85 vineyards throughout the state. Sarah Lowder joined the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences this spring as the state viticulturist, a position dedicated to providing the best methods for the cultivation and harvest of wine grapes in Georgia.
Orange spores emerge from southern rust pustules on a corn leaf. The fungal spores associated with this disease can be carried long distances on wind currents from surrounding states. (Submitted photo) CAES News
As corn rust blows into south Georgia, producers should be on the lookout
The first cases of southern corn rust for the 2023 growing season were discovered on Tuesday, June 20 and Wednesday June 21 in Clinch and Grady Counties , along the Georgia-Florida line. University of Georgia Extension experts are encouraging producers to be diligent in scouting for the fast-spreading disease among their corn crops.

CAES Events

Private event.
Oct 03
8:00AM - 5:00PM UGA Extension SW District Admins
The Master Cattlemen’s Program delivers a practical, science-based production management curriculum to Georgia’s beef producers.  University of Georgia Extension Agents work with industry experts to deliver classes on beef cattle topics such as nutrition, facilities, forages, economics, marketing, foreign animal diseases, agro-terrorism, general herd health, external parasites, reproduction, Beef Quality Assurance, sire selection, record keeping and Georgia Cattlemen’s Association goals.  The materials are intended to help Georgia beef producers be more profitable and sustainable. Participants meet one night a week for eight weeks.  Over the eight week period, attendees learn and discuss current issues, meet industry experts, and network with area producers. The program is held in the fall and winter of each year, and rotate between the four regions of Georgia.
Oct 03
6:00PM - 8:00PM Master Cattleman Program - Session 7 North GA Technical College, Clarkesville, GA
Wednesday, October 4 _____________________________3:00pm - 3:30pm Impact of photoselective device on plant growth & development and assessment of the effect of weather conditions on postharvest fruit quality of blueberry Amit Godara, PhD GRA-research proposalAdvisor, Z. Rubio Ames and A. Deltsidis. presenting from Tifton _____________________________3:30pm - 4:00pm Topic: industry survey, study abroad, marketing Swayang Nayak, PhD GRA-research proposalAdvisor, J. Campbell. presenting from Athens campus
Oct 04
3:00PM - 3:30PM PhD Research Proposal Seminar: Impact of photoselective device on plant growth and development and assessment of the effect of weather conditions on postharvest fruit quality of blueberry Miller Plant Science, ATHENS, GA