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
Upcoming Events
Montage of Extension Staff in Action in Delaware: youtube.com/watch?v=UHPYhBIWRj0
-
Building a Bridge about Birds in Bridgeville
June 08, 2026 | Written by Michele Walfred, Communications Specialist (ret) | Photo credit: Michele WalfredIn May, 22 students, ranging in grades from elementary to high school, along with their family educators, learned about the resources available to set up incubators provided by 4-H and experience a hands-on animal science project. Chicks hatched through this project often continue their journey in local backyard flocks as layers or show chickens. -
World Food Safety Day: Small Actions, Big Impact OR Food Safety Is Everyone’s Business—In Delaware and Beyond
June 02, 2026 | Written By: Kali Kniel, Department of Animal and Food SciencesJune marks the start of summer—a time filled with graduation celebrations, gatherings, and backyard barbecues. As we enjoy these moments and the delicious food that comes with them, it’s also the perfect time to think about something just as important: food safety. This month offers a great opportunity to reflect on how food safety impacts all of us, both locally and globally. -
Afterschool Engagement
May 05, 2026 | Article by Katie Peikes and Michele Walfred | Photos by Michele WalfredWhen many people think of 4-H, they think of showing animals at a county fair. But as the saying is often echoed, 4-H is more than just cows, sows and plows. The largest nationwide youth development program for children and teens ages 5 to 19 values head, heart, hands and health (the four H’s). It’s all about hands-on learning and helping children and teens gain social and critical thinking skills.
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.