Carvel Research and Education Center
Welcome
UD's 347-acre Agriculture Research Experimental Station and Sussex Cooperative Extension
UD Expertise at
Delaware Ag Week
Agronomic Crop Tour Updates
View the recordings!
Riding With Technology
CANR students get hands-on experience with precision agriculture technology
Crop Research
Poultry Health
Research + Extension
Sharing the latest research with our community
Internships
Creating Partnerships
Reaching across programs and institutions for efficient solutions
The Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center
The Carvel Center campus, located in Georgetown in Sussex County, fulfills the tripartite mission of our land-grant university — teaching, research and Extension outreach. The Carvel Center serves as the southern agriculture experiment station for the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and encompasses the Thurman Adams Jr. Agriculture Research Farm (347 acres) with a focus on agronomic, vegetable and horticulture crops, the Warrington Irrigation Research Farm (120 acres) in Harbeson, Lasher Laboratory for poultry diagnostics, and the Jones Hamilton Environmental Research House. Our campus is also home to Sussex County Cooperative Extension providing programing in 4-H Youth Development, Poultry, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Lawn and Garden.
With an overall staff of 50 full-time administrators, agents, faculty, and specialists, assisted by 50 to 70 seasonal part-time employees and student interns, the Carvel Center paves the way in serving the needs of the agricultural industry, youth and families, students and residents of our great state. Learn more about our history.
Our research and educational facilities
Student Opportunities at the Carvel Center
Carvel Center Teaching Mission: youtube.com/watch?v=H9O6aZHyKms
Our facility continues the strong tradition of serving our agricultural clientele and their families as well as the citizens of Delaware.
Carvel REC director
Upcoming Events
AGRICULTURE MISSIONARY
Gordon Johnson's career in agriculture and with the University of Delaware spans three decades of service, research breakthroughs and many noteworthy recognitions including the 2023 Worrilow Award Read the UDaily article.
Montage of Extension Staff in Action in Delaware: youtube.com/watch?v=UHPYhBIWRj0
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Beauty and the Bugs
May 29, 2024 | Written by Molly Schafer Photos by Michele Walfred and courtesy of UD Cooperative Extension; Jim Robbins, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension; Bugwood.org; and Mengmeng Gu, Texas A&M University Cooperative ExtensionThe crape myrtle bark scale, an invasive insect, is less well-known. First spotted in Delaware in 2020, the bug threatens the beauty of these beloved trees. The pest is now active in Sussex and Kent counties but is yet to be seen in New Castle County. -
Celebrating excellence in agriculture and natural resources
May 16, 2024 | Written by Dante LaPentaAs the spring semester headed into its final stretch run, the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources gathered together to honor a few deserving faculty and staff. At the college’s Celebrating Excellence event, the 2024 stars of the show were Sue Barton, Larry Armstrong, and Kent Messer. -
Benefits of a Weather Station
May 13, 2024 | Written by Drew Harris, Agriculture Extension AgentVariability of weather conditions, including rainfall and temperature, can have an impact on crops within localized areas. Even within various regions, slight differences in atmospheric conditions can change the outlook for pest pressure and yield potential.
History of the Agriculture Research Center in Georgetown
A Delaware General Assembly act provided the establishment of an agricultural substation for southern Delaware. The first structure at the new "Substation" opened in 1942, which is still in use — now as storage space.
A more thorough, published history written by former Extension specialist and former Delaware Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Kee, is now available in the fall of 2019.