History and Mission
The J. Phil Campbell Sr. Research and Education Center, located in Watkinsville, Georgia, is the newest REC in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. A former USDA-ARS research station, the 1055-acre facility was closed by USDA as part of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012. In the fall of 2013, the station was transferred to CAES to be used for agricultural and natural resources research, instruction and extension. The facility's mission, "to develop and transfer environmentally sustainable and profitable agricultural systems to landowners and managers in order to protect the natural resource base, build accord with non-agricultural sectors, and support healthy rural economies," has not changed under CAES' management.
The JPCREC, previously known as the USDA-ARS J. Phil Campbell Sr. Natural Resource Conservation Center, has a long legacy of research on grazing land and cattle herd management, soil protection and carbon sequestration, water quality and conservation, animal and cropping systems, and integrated watershed research, among others. CAES is committed to continuing and expanding this research legacy. In addition, the facility is ideally suited for teaching, extension, and demonstration activities such as the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Training. Similar to other CAES Research and Education Centers, JPCREC is being operated as a college-wide facility, with the superintendent reporting directly to the Office of the Associate Dean for Research at the Athens campus.
About J. Phil Campbell, Sr.
Campbell was a pioneer in agricultural work, particularly in Extension. He was associated with Congressman Lever of South Carolina and Senator Smith of Georgia, sponsors of the Smith-Lever Act, which created the Cooperative Extension Service. Camp Wilkins, the former 4-H Club camp at UGA, was built under his leadership. He was Superintendent of the first agricultural high school in Georgia; state agent for South Carolina Farmers Cooperative Demonstration, a forerunner of the present Extension Service; regional supervisor for the Farmer's Cooperative Demonstration in Washington, D.C.; state agent and director for the Cooperative Extension Service; and Head of the Cooperative Relations in Extension section.
Center Photos
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How large is the facility?
It is comprised of 1,077 acres in four non-contiguous units, all located in Oconee County. The JPCREC employs a superintendent and three full-time staff members.
What research is conducted here?
JPCREC is a working cattle farm with 200 head of Angus and Angus-based brood cows. Cow-calf pairs and yearling calves are used in grazing and grazing systems trials. In addition to this research, JPCREC also supports research in soybean breeding, forage (alfalfa, fescue, ryegrass, clover) breeding, sustainable row-crop systems, cotton variety trials and cover crop trials. JPCREC typically supports 10-12 projects. Most of these projects are 3-5 years in length.
Do only UGA scientists conduct research here?
JPCREC primarily supports research conducted by faculty in the CAES. However, the JPCREC also supports research conducted by scientists in the College of Veterinary Medicine as well as scientists in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, JPCREC supported research conducted by scientists in other state and federal agencies.
How can I arrange a visit or tour?
An annual “corn boil” which is the JPCREC's primary field day. The event is held in late June and is open to anyone interested in learning more about the center and the current research efforts at the center. There are also field days and demonstrations at various times during the year highlighting specific areas of research at the center. If you would like to schedule a visit to the center, please contact Brooke Powell at bpowell@uga.edu.
What are the JPCREC's operating hours?
The center is a working farm so there is always work to be done, but normal business hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.