PRECISION PARTNERSHIP
A 250-acre farm is paving the way for the future of farming in the Southeast. Located strategically near the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, the newly established University of Georgia Grand Farm is preparing to make a monumental impact on precision agriculture, providing a vital boost to the state’s No. 1 industry. From growers’ livelihoods to statewide food security, the farm will accelerate positive change.
“Adoption of precision agriculture by Georgia growers is one of the keys to improving on-farm efficiency and long-term economic stability,” said George Vellidis, director of UGA’s Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture. “The partnership with Grand Farm should accelerate the delivery of precision ag technology and services to the grower by shortening the time between research and development and commercialization.”
Launching Georgia ag’s future
The impact of the UGA Grand Farm will not stop at Georgia’s borders. In partnership with North Dakota-based Grand Farm, the enterprise establishes a global vision for collaborative innovation in agriculture.
With 12 founding partners from four countries — the U.S., England, Japan and Brazil — that vision is becoming a reality. Chris Rhodes, executive director of UGA’s Innovation District, explained that external partnerships make UGA Grand Farm more dynamic.
“To be globally influential, Georgia and UGA must engage with the globe,” Rhodes said. “Creating strong connections with Grand Farm in Fargo creates a deep seam of collaboration with a different geography and allows us to attract a worldwide partner base because we have more to offer.”
Operating under the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the potential of UGA Grand Farm is immeasurable. It will not only serve as a resource hub for growers, but faculty, staff and students also will reap the benefits.
“What excites me is the potential for amazing synergy between UGA and the agricultural technology industry,” Vellidis said. “This will make our university, and the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture specifically, a magnet for bright young minds.”
Growing talent, tech and opportunity
Collaboration among industry experts at established companies, emerging startups, collegiate researchers and graduate students provides a unique environment for ideas and innovation.
“Success means our faculty and students are actively engaged in companies operating at the farm. It also means that some students will take advantage of these opportunities to begin their own companies or start careers with one of the partners,” Vellidis said.
Ideally, UGA Grand Farm will attract a mix of large and medium-sized established companies and startups in successful operation, he added.
“The goal for these companies is to fine-tune their products to the Southeastern market and to establish a physical presence in rural Georgia, leading to jobs and access to services for Georgia growers.”
Finding partners aligned with this vision is key to achieving these goals, ensuring synergy and sustainable progress.
“More and better partners attract more and better partners in a virtuous cycle,” Rhodes said. “That is important for creating tremendous value on this farm.”
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