Carvel Research and Education Center
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
Trapezing Trees
Article by Michele Walfred, Tracy Wootten and Jeremy Wayman Video by Michele Walfred
When people need a large tree removed or pruned on their property, they often encounter sticker shock. It’s expensive, and therefore tempting, to take on the towering tree task themselves.
Stop. It is not a DIY project. Put away the ladder and call in a pro! Scaling up a towering oak, maple, sycamore, or elm tree and doing so safely, and removing or pruning without incident, is an art form best left to the experts.
Montage of Extension Staff in Action in Delaware: youtube.com/watch?v=UHPYhBIWRj0
-
Poultry safety in spotlight after bird flu case in Kent County
January 12, 2026 | Written by Tiffany Amber | WBOCA positive bird flu case in Kent County put the poultry industry in the spotlight at Delaware Agriculture Week. University of Delaware Cooperative Extension’s Georgie Cartanza, statewide poultry agent, said farmers are going to need to adapt as the virus continues to evolve. She emphasized the importance of biosecurity, such as barn-dedicated footwear, to keep the virus at bay. -
Beyond the Tinsel: How to Make Winter Truly "Bearable" This January
January 12, 2026 | Written by: Kim Silva, 4-H Extension AgentOnce the holiday lights come down and the New Year’s champagne has lost its fizz, January can feel a bit daunting. The evenings are still long, the air is crisp, and the "post-holiday slump" is a very real phenomenon. However, the heart of winter doesn't have to be a season of waiting—it can be a season of intentional joy. Whether you are looking to embrace the "cozy" or spark a new passion, here are some ways to brighten your home and your mood this month. -
Delaware Agriculture Week Returns, Spotlighting Innovation and Farm Economics
January 05, 2026 | Written by Maryann PughDelaware’s farming community will gather January 12 to 15 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington as Delaware Agriculture Week returns for its third decade, bringing together producers, educators, and industry leaders for four days of education, networking, and business insight.
Upcoming Events
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.