Many important innovations start in a lab, but some grow out of experience, conversations, and a shared instinct that says, “There’s got to be a better way to do this.” That’s the spirit behind University of Georgia Grand Farm, a 250-acre working farm in Perry that’s becoming a hub for agricultural research and innovation. This farm reflects a shared belief: Georgia’s future depends on investing in the farmers who feed it.
The working innovation farm is a partnership between the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and Grand Farm in North Dakota, whose earlier work in AgTech innovation has helped shape the collaborative model now taking root in Georgia.
UGA Grand Farm’s Role in Middle Georgia’s Innovation Ecosystem
UGA Grand Farm is where farmers, students, researchers, and private partners come together to test agricultural technology, share knowledge, and figure out what works in the field. It’s becoming a key part of Middle Georgia’s regional innovation ecosystem – one that’s rooted in our land, our challenges, and our opportunities, and positioned to serve farms and communities across the state.
Why UGA Grand Farm Matters to Georgia’s Agricultural Future
Today’s farmers are asked to do more with less – more output, less land, less water, and less margin for error. Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper emphasized the importance of UGA Grand Farm, “Investments like this allow us to continue to ensure that we protect America’s national security by protecting our ability to feed ourselves. Because a nation that can’t feed itself, can’t sustain itself.” His remarks highlight the vital role this innovation farm plays in helping Georgia’s number one industry thrive and in equipping farm families with the tools they need to stay efficient, resilient, and financially strong.
From Vision to Reality: How UGA Grand Farm Took Shape
The idea has been years in the making. It started when Senator Larry Walker III, Representative Robert Dickey, and then-Representative Terry England joined UGA leaders on a visit to the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie. While touring the equipment, they began discussing the need for a large-scale farm to test and demonstrate this kind of technology.
Senator Walker suggested an ideal location: 250 acres across from the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. Chancellor Sonny Perdue, who had seen a similar concept at Grand Farm in North Dakota during his time as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, quickly gave his full support. So did Governor Brian Kemp and Commissioner Harper. With leadership from UGA President Jere Morehead and CAES Dean Nick T. Place helping shape the project, the idea quickly turned into a collaborative effort with statewide backing. This collective work is already taking shape with 15 partners signed on and 10 field trials planned for the 2025 season.
The goal has always been clear: create a farm that supports real-world research, connects with the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, and inspires the next generation to see the potential of agriculture. UGA Grand Farm can also help answer a question that’s top of mind for many: How do we get more young people into farming and ag-related careers? It’s the kind of exposure they’ll get here that can spark curiosity, transform perceptions, and plant the seed for a future in agriculture.
Designed for Georgia, Built to Drive Statewide Impact
UGA Grand Farm was built with Georgia in mind – designed to reflect the realities of our crops, our climate, and our communities. Its home here in the Middle Georgia Innovation Corridor gives it even greater reach, positioning it as an easily accessible resource and a driver of agricultural innovation throughout the state.
This working innovation farm is grounded in reality, shaped by the needs of farmers and powered by the collaboration of communities, educators, and industry. It’s how Middle Georgia turns challenges into opportunities and ideas into impact.
Because here in Middle Georgia, we’re not just growing crops. We’re growing what comes next.
