The University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
and
North Dakota-based Grand Farm
Construction began Friday on a 250-acre center for agricultural innovation designed to showcase and test advanced farming technologies.
Over 200 individuals were present at the ground-breaking ceremony for the project.
UGA Grand Farm
, situated next to the
Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry
.
“UGA Grand Farm serves as an opportunity to further strengthen what we’ve already started: building this relationship between the University of Georgia and industry and helping us connect top minds around the world in precision agricultural research,” UGA President Jere W. Morehead said during the ceremony.
The project, announced in June 2024, will focus on developing technologies specifically for Georgia’s specialty crops and Southeast agriculture, with the first field projects set to begin in 2025.
“This collaboration represents the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation,” said CAES Dean and Director Nick T. Place. “By bringing together the college’s world-class researchers and the UGA Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture with Grand Farm’s cutting-edge technologies, we will revolutionize the way we feed and clothe the world’s population.”
Calvin Perry, interim operations director at UGA Grand Farm, said that the facility will serve as a testing ground for agricultural startups and entrepreneurs.
Perry stated, “We’re establishing this entirely new research facility aimed at collaborating with Grand Farm. Our focus is on supporting startups, entrepreneurs—in their own words—that typically operate within the private sector and wish to trial products, concepts, or methods. They believe such initiatives offer fresh opportunities for enhancing competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency in both American and global agricultural sectors.”
According to Perry, the farm will be equipped with cutting-edge technology across the entire area.
Perry stated, “This farm will be equipped with advanced technology. We’ll have WiFi coverage throughout the entire area. The irrigation systems are among the latest models, featuring variable rate capabilities and can be remotely started from any part of the globe. These systems also incorporate wireless functionality.”
During the initial year, the farm will mainly concentrate on cultivating cotton, offering a practical test setting for businesses involved in pioneering agricultural advancements.
Kaytlyn Cobb, who serves as the regional assistant director for the UGA Grand Farm, highlighted the significance of the initiative for Georgia’s farming industry.
“Agriculture stands as Georgia’s biggest economic sector, and those of us committed to this aim to safeguard and maintain it while also pushing for advancements and adopting new technologies,” Cobb stated.
The farm seeks to tackle various issues confronting modern-day farmers via technological advancements.
“Farmers are encountering various difficulties such as workforce issues, weather patterns, and fluctuating crop prices,” Cobb stated. “These firms are introducing technologies including self-driving machinery and robots, along with sensors or agricultural software.”
According to Cobb, the project has surpassed initial projections. The officials had originally aimed to secure five corporate partners within the first year; however, they are currently monitoring interest from 12 to 15 businesses keen on carrying out research at the site.
“We have businesses from across the globe eager to visit our location in Perry, Georgia, and validate their technologies or research,” Cobb stated. “While some have conducted tests and experiments elsewhere, they’re now prepared to assess their innovations under Georgia’s specific crop types and environmental conditions.”
According to Cobb, the innovation farm secured funding via the state legislature, backed by University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, State Senator Larry Walker, and Representative Robert Dickey.
Besides conducting research, the farm will provide educational experiences for students across different grade levels, ranging from elementary school visits to possible college internships.
Perry mentioned that once things pick up and we have our entire team onboard, we might be able to bring students aboard too. He also hinted at potential internship possibilities down the line.
Cobb mentions that the UGA Grand Farm intends to achieve financial independence by collaborating with agri-tech firms. These companies cover the costs associated with using the site for testing their products.
During the demonstrations for the unveiling, attendees saw solar-driven automatic robot weeding systems, conversion kits for transforming tractors into self-driving versions, as well as machines engineered to precisely spray herbicides based on collected live information about crop conditions.