Posted

June 18, 2011

Oconee County, GA

After our NAVHDA training in the morning, we stopped by the University of Georgia's Crop Sciences farm. Sadly, the sign says no hunting, fishing, swimming, and Tessa was clearly disappointed. So much land and so little fun!

While I was taking some photos of the dusty road leading into the farm, the farm manager stopped by and we started talking. He explained the sign was mainly to keep out the folks that abuse the land and its crops, and he gave me permission to drive onto the farm and take as many pictures as I want. I found the 522-acre farm absolutely beautiful, with small fields of different crops scattered about.

Sadly, this farm is currently up for auction, and 18 UGA employees will lose their jobs as a result - with yet more budget cuts to come, UGA simply can no longer afford to run it, and needs the money from the sale to help maintain agricultural facilities elsewhere.

The property has been on the market for three weeks now and bidding will end on June 27. Given the land's location in the ever growing Oconee County, we all know what will likely happen here.