By Scout Nelson
The University of Georgia (UGA) recently broke ground on its new Grand Farm, a 250-acre site dedicated to precision agriculture research. Located near the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, this farm aims to be a hub for innovation in farming technology.
The UGA Grand Farm will work with partners like North Dakota’s Grand Farm to bring cutting-edge equipment and software to Georgia farmers. These technologies focus on solving labor shortages and helping farmers grow crops more efficiently using robotics, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
Key speakers at the ceremony included UGA President Jere Morehead, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, and state Senator Larry Walker. “Today is an exciting moment for the University of Georgia and a milestone for the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. It’s through the efforts of a collective group of state leaders who really care about precision agriculture that we’ve reached this point. Thank you for believing in this institution and supporting precision agriculture,” said Morehead. “The UGA Grand Farm serves as a wonderful opportunity to build on what we’ve already been doing in precision agriculture at UGA in recent years. The UGA Grand Farm will serve as the hub for precision agriculture. It will host research aimed at decreasing inputs for farmers and getting young people excited about careers in precision agriculture.”
The farm will serve as a testing ground for new precision tools designed especially for Georgia’s specialty crops. Some of the technologies demonstrated include solar-powered robotic weeders, autonomous tractors, and smart sprayers that use cameras to spot-apply herbicides only where needed. These robots can scan fields, collect data on crop health, and reduce chemical use.
Researchers at UGA are training robots to recognize crops like bell peppers and cotton and to apply growth regulators to manage plant height. The farm also offers opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with emerging technology that may shape their careers.
The UGA Institute of Integrative Precision Agriculture, a team of over 70 faculty and 80 graduate students, will use the farm to test and develop new innovations. This partnership will speed up the commercialization of technology and bring benefits to farmers faster.
Overall, the UGA Grand Farm represents a bold step toward sustainable and efficient farming by combining research, technology, and education. It aims to conserve resources while increasing productivity, helping secure the future of agriculture in Georgia and beyond.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: North Dakota, Business