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

CAES researchers explore ways to abate PFAS in water and soil

CAES News

CAES researchers explore ways to abate PFAS 'forever chemicals' 02/04/25

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the nation’s first drinking water standard for “forever chemicals,” a group of persistent, human-made chemicals that can pose a health risk to people at even the smallest detectable levels of exposure. The new rules are part of efforts to limit pollution from these per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which can persist in the environment for centuries. Supported by a nearly $1.6 million grant from the EPA, researchers from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are developing improved, cost-effective treatment systems with advanced technologies for removing PFAS.

CAES News

In the Peach State, UGA blueberry research is driving a fast-growing market worldwide 01/28/25

From bringing more than 50 varieties to market to monitoring the growing economic impact of the blueberry, this series dives into the multidisciplinary University of Georgia research behind the top-10 Georgia commodity. “The UGA blueberry breeding program has been a key to the success of launching a significant commercial blueberry industry in Georgia in the 1980s and helping sustain it for four decades,” said Scott NeSmith, professor emeritus in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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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

Agricultural advancement for northeast Georgia